Ori and the Will of the Wisps – Platforms, Review and Length Guide

Ori and the Will of the Wisps stands as Moon Studios’ 2020 masterwork, expanding upon the ethereal platforming of its predecessor with refined combat mechanics and a deeply personal narrative. The game follows Ori through the corrupted landscapes of Niwen, tasking players with rescuing their adoptive sibling Ku while restoring light to a dying world.

Upon release, the title garnered universal acclaim for its seamless blend of Metroidvania exploration, emotional storytelling, and audiovisual excellence. Critics highlighted its accessibility for players of varying skill levels while maintaining the challenging platforming sequences that define the series.

Available across Xbox consoles, PC, and Nintendo Switch, the game launched day-one on Xbox Game Pass, offering subscribers immediate access to one of the generation’s most celebrated platformers without additional purchase.

What Is Ori and the Will of the Wisps?

• Direct sequel to Ori and the Blind Forest with expanded traversal and combat options
• Day-one availability on Xbox Game Pass for console and PC subscribers
• Utilizes Spirit Shards system for customizable ability loadouts
• Features multiple narrative endings tied to world restoration and family bonds
• Runs at 60 FPS across all platforms including handheld Switch mode
• Incorporates side quests and NPC interactions absent from the predecessor
• Achieved Metacritic scores in the 88-90 range across platforms

What Platforms Is Ori and the Will of the Wisps Available On?

Xbox and PC Distribution

The game launched simultaneously on Xbox One and PC via Steam and the Microsoft Store on March 11, 2020. Xbox Game Pass subscribers gained immediate access at no additional cost, a distribution model that This Gen Gaming noted made the already exceptional title an undeniable value proposition, particularly for PC users seeking 4K resolution at 60 FPS with HDR support.

Nintendo Switch Port

Moon Studios brought the title to Nintendo Switch via the eShop on September 17, 2020. The Sixth Axis confirmed the port maintains near-constant 60 FPS performance in both docked and handheld modes, including on Switch Lite hardware. Visual fidelity shows slight reduction compared to Xbox and PC versions, with reviewers noting marginally hazy image quality that remains immersive during handheld play with headphones.

Purchase Options

Physical and digital copies remain available through Microsoft storefronts, Steam, and the Nintendo eShop. The title has not received mobile or cloud-exclusive releases to date.

How Long Does Ori and the Will of the Wisps Take to Beat?

Campaign Duration

According to Nintendo World Report, the primary narrative requires approximately 12 to 15 hours for completion, varying based on player exploration habits and skill with platforming challenges.

Completionist Requirements

Full completion—including Spirit Shard collection, side quest resolution, and combat trials—extends playtime significantly. Nintendo Life estimates thorough players will invest an additional 10 to 20 hours beyond the main story, particularly when pursuing backtracking-heavy upgrade paths.

Narrative Outcomes

The narrative branches toward multiple emotional conclusions tied to Ku’s fate and the restoration of Niwen. Nintendo World Report indicates these endings provide substantial payoff through world-building and familial themes, though specific plot points remain safeguarded against spoilers in critical discourse.

Is Ori and the Will of the Wisps Better Than Ori and the Blind Forest?

Combat Evolution

Where the predecessor relied on basic attack mechanics, Will of the Wisps implements distinct weaponry including light swords, hammers, and bows. Nintendo Life describes this as a “massive improvement,” offering granular control over combat encounters previously governed by simplified systems.

Accessibility Refinements

The sequel replaces the first game’s limited manual save system with generous autosave checkpoints. Nintendo World Report highlights this shift as removing frustration barriers while preserving challenge integrity, particularly during escape sequences and boss battles.

Structural Improvements

Spirit Shards allow players to customize abilities such as triple jumps and attack modifiers, replacing the predecessor’s linear upgrade paths. Side quests, NPC towns like Moki settlements, and shop systems create denser world interaction than Blind Forest’s more isolated structure.

What Are the Ori and the Will of the Wisps PC System Requirements?

Specific hardware specifications for minimum and recommended PC configurations remain undisclosed by Moon Studios. The game supports 4K resolution at 60 FPS with HDR on capable PC hardware through Xbox Game Pass and Steam distributions, though exact CPU, GPU, and RAM thresholds remain unspecified in available documentation.

When Did Ori and the Will of the Wisps Release?

1. March 11, 2020: Launch on Xbox One and PC via Steam/Microsoft Store, simultaneous Xbox Game Pass availability — Nintendo Life
2. September 17, 2020: Nintendo Switch eShop release featuring 60 FPS handheld optimization — The Sixth Axis
3. Post-September 2020: No major content patches or DLC expansions documented — Gaming Age

What Do We Know About Future Content?

Why Does Ori and the Will of the Wisps Resonate With Players?

The narrative centers on familial bonds rather than traditional heroic quests, following Ori’s desperate search for their adoptive brother Ku after a storm separates them in the corrupted Niwen forest. This emotional foundation privileges character relationships over lore-heavy exposition, allowing players to invest in restoration mechanics that feel personally consequential. Unlike live entertainment spectacles such as the Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live tour, this experience offers intimate, solitary engagement with its themes of loss and renewal.

Accessibility design further distinguishes the title within the notoriously demanding Metroidvania genre. By distributing Spirit Shards that enable customization ranging from combat enhancements to traversal assists like triple jumping, Moon Studios accommodates varying player capabilities without compromising the integrity of challenge sequences. This approach, combined with the refined checkpoint system, creates entry points for newcomers while offering depth for veterans seeking optimized completion times.

The audiovisual presentation reinforces these mechanical qualities. Forever Classic Games notes the title functions as an “ideal handheld experience” when paired with quality headphones, suggesting the atmospheric sound design and visual artistry transcend technical specifications to deliver consistent emotional impact across hardware generations.

What Are Critical Reviews Saying?

A refined masterpiece that blends mechanics seamlessly in tighter environments.

— This Gen Gaming, 2020

Supremely enjoyable… one of the best platformers available on Switch.

— Nintendo Life, 2020

Should You Play Ori and the Will of the Wisps?

For players seeking emotionally resonant platforming with mechanical depth, Ori and the Will of the Wisps delivers a definitive Metroidvania experience available across multiple ecosystems. Whether accessed through Xbox Game Pass or purchased outright for Nintendo Switch, the title represents a high-water mark for independent studio production values, though those awaiting news of a follow-up to Forza Horizon 6 release date should note that Moon Studios has not announced subsequent projects in the franchise.

Frequently Asked Questions