psychicscubadiver on 26 November 2023
36. Ori and the Blind Forest
I love exploration in games, it's one of the main reasons I'm a fan of the Legend of Zelda. But there has to be something to motivate you and give you a joy of discovery. That can be advancing the plot, uncovering hidden upgrades, or the satisfaction of a completed map. Ori has all of these and one more: the beauty of the landscapes. Ori is one of the prettiest games I've ever played and it pulls that off without detracting from the gameplay in any way. The cutscenes are cinematic, but don't overstay their welcome. The interactable objects look to be a natural part of the world, but they are never hard to find or notice. It just works in a way that is a joy to behold.
