TL;DR: Ori and the Will of the Wisps is a breathtakingly beautiful, single-player action-platformer that feels like playing through a high-budget animated film. It’s the gold standard for "artistic" gaming, but don't let the pretty colors fool you—it is legitimately difficult and emotionally heavy. It’s a fantastic alternative to the dopamine-loop of Roblox or Fortnite, but it requires a level of patience and emotional maturity that might be a stretch for younger or easily frustrated kids.
If you haven't seen this game in action, imagine if a Studio Ghibli movie and a Disney forest aesthetic had a baby, and then that baby was dropped into a world where everything is trying to kill it. Ori and the Will of the Wisps is the sequel to Ori and the Blind Forest, and it follows a little spirit creature named Ori who is trying to find a lost friend in a decaying, magical land.
Technically, it’s what gamers call a "Metroidvania." That’s just a fancy way of saying the map is huge, and your kid will have to explore, find new powers (like double-jumping or dashing), and then go back to old areas to unlock secrets they couldn't reach before. It’s heavy on "platforming"—lots of jumping from tiny ledge to tiny ledge—and features intense combat and massive boss battles.
There is zero "brain rot" here. Unlike many modern games designed to keep kids in a never-ending loop of daily rewards and "buy this skin" prompts, Ori is a complete, self-contained story.
- The Visuals and Music: It is hands-down one of the most beautiful games ever made. The orchestral score is better than most movies in theaters right now. It’s the kind of game you actually won't mind watching over your kid's shoulder.
- The "Flow" State: Once a player gets the hang of the controls, Ori moves with incredible fluidity. There’s a real sense of mastery that comes from stringing together a series of jumps, dashes, and attacks.
- No Microtransactions: You buy the game, and you own the game. There’s no "limited time offer" or digital currency to worry about. It’s a refreshing break from the Robux economy.
Here is the no-BS part: this game can be brutal. While it’s rated E for Everyone, that rating doesn't account for the "frustration factor."
There are "escape sequences" where the screen is filling with water or sand, and Ori has to outrun it. If your kid misses one jump by a millisecond? They die and start the sequence over. For some kids, this is a great lesson in teaching grit and resilience through gaming. For others, it’s a recipe for a thrown controller.
If your child is the type who gets "tilted" (gamer speak for getting angry and losing focus) easily, you might want to sit with them during the harder parts or encourage them to play on "Easy" mode—which is still plenty challenging.
You know how the first ten minutes of the movie Up basically wrecks your soul? Ori does that, too. The game deals with themes of loss, environmental decay, and sacrifice. The opening sequence involves a baby owl with a broken wing and a separation from a parental figure. It’s heavy stuff.
If you have a particularly sensitive child, be prepared for some big questions or even some tears. It’s not "scary" in a horror sense, but it is "sad" in a deep, meaningful way. It’s a great tool for building empathy, but maybe not the best choice for a kid who just lost a pet or is going through a hard transition.
While the ESRB says "Everyone," we look at things a bit differently here at Screenwise.
- Ages 5-7: Generally too difficult. The controls require precise timing that most kids this age haven't mastered. They might enjoy watching you play it, though!
- Ages 8-10: The sweet spot for kids who have some gaming experience. They will likely need help with the boss fights and escape sequences. It’s a great "co-pilot" game where you pass the controller back and forth.
- Ages 11+: Most should be able to handle it solo. At this age, the story’s themes will resonate more deeply, and the challenge becomes a badge of honor.
Since Ori and the Will of the Wisps is so narrative-driven, it gives you a lot of "hooks" for real conversations:
- On Failure: "I noticed you had to try that jump twenty times before you got it. How did it feel when you finally made it?"
- On Loss: "Why do you think the villain (Shriek) is so mean? Do you think being lonely makes people act that way?"
- On Environment: The game features a "decay" taking over the forest. It’s a very easy bridge to talking about real-world conservation and taking care of nature.
If your kid loves the "vibe" of Ori but is crying because they can't beat the first boss, consider these:
- Hollow Knight: Actually harder than Ori, but has a similar exploration vibe. Save this for the pros.
- Animal Crossing: New Horizons: If they just want the "cute forest animals" vibe without the "everything is trying to kill me" part.
- The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild: For that grand sense of adventure and discovery.
- Celeste: A platformer that is also very hard but has incredible "assist mode" features that let you customize the difficulty perfectly.
Ori and the Will of the Wisps is a masterpiece. It is "prestige television" in game form. It’s a fantastic way to show your kids that video games can be art, not just a way to kill time.
Just be ready for the frustration. It’s a "tough love" kind of game. It doesn't hand out trophies for showing up; it rewards persistence, practice, and patience. In a world of instant gratification, that’s a pretty valuable lesson for a kid to learn—even if it comes from a glowing spirit creature in a haunted forest.
Check out our full guide on the best "artistic" games for families
- Check the platform: It’s available on Xbox, PC, and Nintendo Switch. It looks best on a big 4K TV if you have the Xbox Series X, but it plays great on the Switch too.
- Toggle the difficulty: If your kid is under 10, just start them on "Easy." Trust me. It doesn't change the story, it just makes the combat less punishing.
- Play with them: This isn't a "go in the other room and leave me alone" game. It’s an experience. Grab a coffee, sit on the couch, and help them navigate the map. You’ll probably enjoy it as much as they do.
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