Ori and the Blind Forest: Definitive Edition
One of my favourite games of all time the disarmingly beautiful Ori and the Blind Forest has released the Definitive Edition to one of the Xbox Ones biggest success stories. One year after it originally launched the wonderful team over at High Moon Studios have put together a package perfect for anyone who has yet to experience one of the most touching games released in recent times. It’s pretty almost Pixar like presentation may make it appear to be a simple platformer but beneath it’s beautifully rendered art work, glorious sound track and simple looking mechanics Ori and the Blind Forest is perhaps the most brutally punishing game since Limbo.
The Definitive edition comes with the full game plus two additional game areas to enjoy called Black Root Burrows & Lost Grove both are unique in visuals and gameplay mechanics.
Executive producer Mark Coates had this to say on the expanded content in the Definitive edition:
“There is a great story sequence through Black Root Burrows where you’re discovering the past of Naru, the mother character. You discover her roots, where she came from, and you learn a bit more about her as a character and why maybe she is compelled to do some of the things that she does later on in the game. It’s all interwoven with the already-existing story.”
In addition to the new story sequences we also get two new moves which are upgradeable throughout the story mode. The light Burst is a grenade like ability which has Ori throwing balls of light and The Dash which is a teleport ability that allows Ori to Dash through enemies causing them damage. These add a new dimension to the perfectly balanced gameplay and i’m especially interested in how the new Dash ability can be used in game as having a teleport ability could really open up some incredible combos.
A new difficulty level will also be available this time round presumably in response to the millions of smashed controllers scream of rage prompted by the million or so deaths the average play through throws at you. I know some players who simply couldn’t crack it even on the normal difficulty hopefully this can help get them back into the game and allow them to complete it and enjoy it.
“We wanted to make the Definitive Edition a celebration of sorts for our players and fans, and welcome them into the journey that we went through from the beginning to the end of the development process,” Coates said. “All of these things make Ori very special.”
Another fantastic addition to the Xbox line up to get you through these spring months and an absolute must play if you haven’t already enjoyed one of the highlights of the Xbox.
