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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsOri and the Blind Forest is the original adventure, about Ori trying to save the dying forest of Nibel. Ori and the Will of the Wisps is its sequel, following Ori and the owlet Ku into a new journey. Both are story-led action platformers with hand-painted worlds and orchestral music, but the sequel puts more emphasis on customizable combat, large enemies and bosses, and optional Spirit Trials. Play Blind Forest first for the story’s intended order; it gives useful context, though Xbox says new players can also start with the sequel.
At a glance: how the games differ
| Feature | Ori and the Blind Forest | Ori and the Will of the Wisps |
|---|---|---|
| Role in the story | The original adventure: Ori sets out to save the dying forest of Nibel. | The sequel: an incident involving the owlet Ku leads Ori into a new journey and world. |
| Combat and customization | The official description presents it as an action-platformer; the sources do not establish an absolute claim that it has no combat. | Official features include spirit weapons, spells, skills, and shards for customizing Ori’s powers. |
| Distinctive challenge feature | No comparable challenge mode is established in the cited official descriptions. | Spirit Trials offer asynchronous speed-run challenges. |
| Art and music | Hand-painted artwork and a fully orchestrated score. | A new hand-painted world and a continued fully orchestrated original score. |
Story and play order
Blind Forest introduces Ori and the forest of Nibel, which is dying. Ori’s journey to save it is the starting point for the series. The original game was released on March 11, 2015, according to the official Ori site.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Ori: The Collection - Nintendo Switch | $34.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Ori and the Will of the Wisps - Xbox One | $51.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Ori The Collection (Nintendo Switch) | $39.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Ori and the Will of The Wisps - Nintendo Switch | $73.28 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
Will of The Wisps Ori in die Game Videogame platformer T-Shirt | $18.49 | Buy on Amazon |
Will of the Wisps continues Ori’s story, centering its opening premise on Ku, the owlet. It is the sequel, not a retelling of the first game. Playing in release order gives you the original context before the continuation, but it is not an absolute prerequisite: Xbox Wire’s 2019 announcement says new players are welcome.
Combat, abilities, and challenge modes
Combat is more explicitly customizable in the sequel
The sequel’s official feature descriptions highlight spirit weapons, spells, skills, and a shard system that lets players customize Ori’s powers. That is a clear expansion in the way the sequel presents combat and character options. It does not mean the first game has no combat; the cited official description simply emphasizes its action-platforming and story rather than offering a directly comparable feature list.
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#1 Best Overall
- Play 2 beloved and critically acclaimed masterpieces
- Experience the complete journey of Ori
- Master new skills and face larger-than-life bosses
- Get bonus physical items: set of art cards and digital soundtracks
Bosses and Spirit Trials
Will of the Wisps also features larger enemies and boss encounters. Its Spirit Trials are asynchronous speed-run challenges, letting players compete against other runs without requiring a simultaneous race. These are specifically identified as sequel features in Xbox Wire’s June 9, 2019 announcement.
What the games have in common
Both games are story-led action platformers built around Ori’s movement through richly illustrated environments. They share hand-painted art, orchestral music, and emotional storytelling. The sequel changes the setting and expands its combat feature set, while keeping the series’ recognizable visual and musical identity.
Rank #2
- Explore a vast, beautiful, immersive, and dangerous world filled with gripping enemy encounters, challenging puzzles and thrilling escape sequences. Unravel Ori’s true destiny in this emotionally engaging, hand crafted story driven adventure.
- New combat system. Wield dozens of new spirit weapons, spells and skills offering new dynamic combat mechanics to the world of Ori.
- Customize your style of play. Choose your tools for adventure from dozens of newly acquired attacks, spells, and skills to match your style of play.
- Encounter epic adversaries. Face large epic bosses and seek support from discoverable allies who will provide services and cast optional quests to extend the adventure.
- Available exclusively on Xbox One consoles and Windows 10. (PC hardware requirements may vary for games on Windows 10.)
Platforms and editions
The official Blind Forest page describes the original as crafted for Xbox One and PC. Will of the Wisps is listed for PC on Steam and for Nintendo Switch on Nintendo UK’s regional listing. The official Ori site has also described a physical Switch edition. Because store availability and editions can vary by region and change over time, check the live listing for the platform and format you want. Steam lists a digital bundle containing Blind Forest: Definitive Edition and Will of the Wisps.
Quick Recap
Best Value
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- Lightweight, Classic fit, Double-needle sleeve and bottom hem
Rank #4
- Play the critically acclaimed masterpiece
- Immerse yourself in a hand-crafted narrative experience
- Master new skills and face larger-than-life bosses
- Get bonus physical item: digital soundtrack
Rank #3
- Play 2 beloved and critically acclaimed masterpieces
- experience the complete journey of Ori
- master new skills and face larger-than-life bosses
- get bonus physical items: set of art Cards and digital soundtracks
Which Ori game should you play?
- Choose Blind Forest first if you want Ori’s story in release order and the context for the sequel.
- Choose Will of the Wisps next if you want the continuation, more explicitly customizable combat, boss encounters, and Spirit Trials.
- Starting with the sequel is possible if it is the game you have access to; Xbox’s announcement says new players are welcome.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
