Ori and the Blind Forest

Game images by RAWG

Ori and the Blind Forest

Moon Studios. citeturn0search5

Windows (PC); Xbox One; Nintendo Switch. (Definitive Edition on Switch released Sept 27, 2019). citeturn1search0turn0search3Paid (premium one-time purchase; no in-game purchases reported).

Health Score

DECENT

Official Website Watch Gameplay

About This Game

Super Review

Ori and the Blind Forest offers a stunning, emotionally resonant adventure with challenging platforming. Its beautiful world and rewarding progression are appealing, but parents should be aware of significant difficulty spikes and poignant story moments involving loss. Best for patient children aged 9+ who enjoy a demanding single-player experience.

Super Review

Parent verdict

Ori and the Blind Forest is a visually and aurally rich platformer that provides a decent, though challenging, experience. It's a qualified fit, working best for children aged 9 and up who appreciate a demanding solo adventure and are resilient to frustration. The game is free of in-app purchases and social risks, but its high difficulty and emotionally intense story beats require parental consideration for sensitive players. It offers a rewarding sense of accomplishment for those who persevere.

What kids actually do

Navigate intricate environments, requiring precision and timing to jump, dash, and glide through platforming challenges.
Solve environmental puzzles and overcome obstacles by unlocking and strategically using new abilities, exercising problem-solving skills.
Battle various fantasy creatures and bosses, often by reflecting their own projectiles or timing attacks, developing hand-eye coordination and reaction time.

Where it shines

The game features breathtaking hand-painted art and an award-winning orchestral score that together create a deeply immersive and emotional world, encouraging exploration and engagement.
Its precise platforming mechanics and a satisfying ability progression system reward persistence and skill, fostering a sense of accomplishment as players master difficult sections.

Parent watch-outs

The precision platforming and boss battles can be extremely challenging, leading to frustration for younger or less patient children.
The story includes emotionally intense themes of loss and character death, which may be upsetting for sensitive children despite the overall family-friendly fantasy tone.

Family rules worth setting

Set time limits for play sessions, especially during difficult sections, to prevent excessive frustration and encourage breaks.
Consider co-playing with younger children, offering help with tricky maneuvers or puzzles, and discussing the emotional elements of the story as they arise.

Talk about this

Discuss how perseverance through challenging moments in the game can lead to a greater sense of achievement and skill development.
Talk about the emotional themes of loss and hope presented in the story, helping children process complex feelings in a fantasy context.

Play style

This is a single-player experience with a poignant, atmospheric tone. Gameplay involves intense bursts of precision platforming and combat, balanced with calmer exploration. Difficulty can be high, and younger or less coordinated players may need significant parental help or encouragement to overcome challenging sections and progress through the story.

Score Breakdown

Positive Aspects

Educational Value

2/5

Creativity

2/5

Pro-Social

0/5

Risk Factors

Addictive Monetization

0/5

Time Pressure / FOMO

1/5

Social Risk

0/5

Content Intensity

2/5

Why this rating

Educational Value

2/5

While not explicitly educational, the game encourages problem-solving through environmental puzzles and fosters persistence in mastering complex platforming sequences. These benefits are incidental rather than central to its design, hence the score of 2.

Addictive Monetization

0/5

Ori and the Blind Forest is a premium, one-time purchase title with no in-game purchases or aggressive monetization tactics. It avoids any elements designed to encourage continuous spending, resulting in a score of 0.

Content Intensity

2/5

The game features mild fantasy violence and emotionally intense story moments involving loss and character death. While generally family-friendly, these themes may be upsetting for sensitive children, warranting a score of 2.

Negatives

•Challenging precision platforming and boss encounters can frustrate younger or less coordinated players
•some story moments (loss, character death) are emotionally intense and may upset sensitive children.

Positives

•Beautiful, award-winning art and soundtrack that encourage emotional engagement and exploration
•well-polished platforming and ability progression that reward persistence and skill.

Gameplay Videos

Ori and the Blind Forest: Definitive Edition - Gameplay Walkthrough - FULL GAME 100% - PC 1080p

ALL EVOLUTION GAME

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Official Ratings

E (Everyone). citeturn0search2

ESRB

Mild Fantasy Violence. citeturn0search2

No Interactive Elements / No in-game purchases indicated. citeturn0search2turn1search0

PEGI

Mild/Implied fantasy violencePEGI 7+ in Europe. citeturn1search13turn1search6

Age Fit

ℹ️Ages 3-5

Not recommended; visuals may appeal but difficulty and emotional intensity are too high for this age without constant adult guidance.

ℹ️Ages 6-8

Playable with extensive parental assistance for controls, puzzles, and emotional moments; frustration is likely for independent play.

ℹ️Ages 9-12

Generally appropriate for patient players comfortable with challenge; expect trial-and-error. Parental guidance advised for sensitive children regarding story themes.

ℹ️Ages 13-15

Suitable and recommended for teens who appreciate a demanding story-driven platformer. No social or monetization risks.

ℹ️Ages 16-18

Fully appropriate for older teens, offering a polished single-player experience with a compelling narrative and challenging gameplay.