TL;DR
If you’re looking for a game that is the literal opposite of "brain rot," Ori and the Will of the Wisps is it. It is a visually stunning, emotionally heavy, and mechanically challenging masterpiece. Think of it as a playable Studio Ghibli movie, but with a difficulty curve that might occasionally make your kid (or you) want to hurl a controller across the room. It’s great for building persistence, but it’s definitely not a "sit back and relax" kind of experience.
Quick Links:
- The Prequel: Ori and the Blind Forest
- For the Hardcore Challenge: Hollow Knight
- A "Cozy" Alternative: Stardew Valley
- The Switch Classic: The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Ori and the Will of the Wisps is a "Metroidvania" style game. If that sounds like gibberish, it just means it’s a 2D side-scroller where you explore a massive, interconnected map. You start with basic moves, and as you play, you unlock new abilities (like double-jumping or gliding) that let you reach areas you couldn’t get to before.
You play as Ori, a tiny, glowing spirit creature who is trying to find a lost friend and save a dying forest. It’s the sequel to Ori and the Blind Forest, but you don’t strictly need to have played the first one to understand what’s going on—though the emotional payoff is much bigger if you have.
First off, the game is gorgeous. We’re talking "every frame could be a framed painting" levels of beauty. In a world of blocky Roblox graphics and chaotic YouTube thumbnails, Ori feels like actual art.
Beyond the looks, there’s the "flow." Once kids get the hang of the controls, moving Ori through the world feels incredible. It’s fast, fluid, and rewarding. There’s also a deep sense of progression. Kids love that feeling of "I couldn’t jump that high ten minutes ago, but now I can fly." It’s a tangible sense of growth that keeps them hooked.
And let's be real: kids today are surprisingly into "the feels." This game doesn't shy away from sadness or high stakes, and for many kids, that makes the story feel more "real" than a standard Mario game.
Check out our guide on why kids are obsessed with high-stakes storytelling
Here is where I need to be the "no-BS" friend: This game is hard.
It’s not "Ohio" weird-hard; it’s "I’ve tried this boss fight 42 times and I’m about to cry" hard. Unlike the first game, which focused more on platforming (jumping and dodging), Will of the Wisps adds a lot of combat. There are massive boss fights that require precise timing and quick reflexes.
If your child struggles with frustration or has a low threshold for "losing," this might be a point of tension. It’s a great game for teaching "grit," but it can also lead to some spicy afternoons if they can’t get past a certain section.
The "Escape" Sequences
One specific thing to know: the game features "escape sequences" where Ori has to outrun a collapsing environment or a giant monster. There are no checkpoints during these runs. If you mess up the very last jump, you start the whole sequence over. It’s exhilarating for some, but a total meltdown trigger for others.
While the ESRB rating is E for Everyone, that doesn't mean a 5-year-old should be playing it. Here’s my breakdown by age:
- Ages 5-7: Probably too difficult. They might enjoy watching you play because it looks like a movie, but the controls will likely be too complex.
- Ages 8-10: The sweet spot for "co-playing." They might need you to take the controller for the big boss fights or the stressful escape sequences.
- Ages 11+: Generally able to handle the mechanics solo, though they’ll still face some genuine challenges.
Ask our chatbot for more games that help build persistence and grit
There’s no "bad" content here in the traditional sense. No "sus" chat rooms, no microtransactions, and no gore. However, there are a few things that might catch a parent off guard:
1. Emotional Intensity
The game deals with themes of death, loss, and the "cycle of life." The opening 10 minutes are basically the "Up" of video games. If your child is particularly sensitive to animals or cute creatures being in peril, have the tissues ready.
2. Scary Imagery
While it’s all "fantasy," some of the villains are genuinely creepy. Shriek, the main antagonist, is a giant, decayed owl that represents death and isolation. It’s heavy stuff, and the boss fights can feel quite intense and dark.
3. Fantasy Violence
Ori uses light-based swords, bows, and hammers to fight monsters. When enemies are defeated, they usually just poof into light or disappear. There is no blood or realistic violence.
We often talk about whether Roblox is teaching kids about money, but games like Ori and the Will of the Wisps teach a different kind of value: Resource Management.
In the game, kids have to manage "Spirit Light" (currency) to buy upgrades and "Life Cells" to stay alive. They have to make choices: "Do I buy the triple jump now, or save up for more health?" It’s a low-stakes way to practice long-term planning.
Also, unlike many modern games, this is a finite experience. It has a beginning, a middle, and an end. It isn't designed to keep them playing forever with daily login rewards or "battle passes." Once they finish the story, they’re done. In 2026, that is a massive win for digital wellness.
If your kid is playing Ori, use it as a bridge to talk about how they handle frustration.
- The "Pause" Talk: "Hey, I noticed that boss fight is getting pretty intense. Do you need to take a five-minute 'reset' before you try again?"
- The "Story" Talk: "Why do you think Shriek (the villain) is so angry? Do you think she's just mean, or is she lonely?" (The game actually provides a lot of nuance here).
- The "Art" Talk: "How does the music change when you go into the water area versus the desert?"
Learn more about using video games to build emotional intelligence
Ori and the Will of the Wisps is a "prestige" video game. It’s the kind of media we want our kids to consume—thoughtful, beautiful, and challenging.
It’s a far cry from the mindless scrolling of TikTok or the repetitive loops of some mobile games. Yes, it’s difficult. Yes, there might be some tears (both from the difficulty and the story). But as far as "screen time" goes, this is about as high-quality as it gets.
If your child is a fan of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom or enjoys challenging platformers like Celeste, they will likely adore this. Just be prepared to help them out with a particularly nasty boss fight every now and then.
- Check the Hardware: Ensure you have a controller that works well—precision matters in this game.
- Play the Prequel First? If they haven't played Ori and the Blind Forest, consider starting there. It's a bit simpler mechanically and sets the stage perfectly.
- Set "Frustration Boundaries": Agree beforehand that if the game leads to yelling or controller-slamming, it’s time for a break.
- Explore More: If they love the "Metroidvania" style, check out our guide to the best Metroidvania games for kids.
Ask our chatbot for a personalized recommendation based on your kid's favorite games