5/5 ★ – QuickPlay's review of Ori and the Blind Forest: Definitive Edition.

After first playing Ori and the Blind Forest. I replayed it in 2022. While the sequel Will of the Wisps improves on just about everything, Blind Forest astoundingly delivers a near-perfect Metroidvania. Everything is gorgeous, with the hand painted, watercolor aesthetic looking and running great on the Switch. the sweeping music lifts the whole game to a Pixar-level experience. Right out the gate, movement is beautifully fluid. It somehow perfectly captures what it must feel like to be a woodland critter. A steady stream of upgrades over a relatively short experience keeps the pacing up and feeling fresh. Combat is the oddest choice of the game (and the biggest leap forward in Will of the Wisps). Zapping enemies from your floating orb friend creates a unique fighting style of evading enemies while staying within range to mash Y, but it lacks a satisfying punch. Unlike other Metroidvanias, you’re never at a loss of where to go next. I consider that a plus, but I understand why others would prefer more challenging exploration. You can save whenever you want at the cost of energy, which is a unique and cool idea when it helps, and the dumbest idea you’ve ever heard of when you forget to save. Blind Forest is an easy recommendation for any fans of Metroidvanias or platformers, offering one of the most beautiful experiences on Switch (and Xbox)