Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

Where to Play

PC/Steam

Xbox

Nintendo

Screenwise Verdict

Ori and the Blind Forest is that rare game that's genuinely artistic without being pretentious—think Studio Ghibli meets Super Metroid. The hand-painted visuals and orchestral score create something special, and the themes of love, loss, and environmental stewardship have real weight.

But let's be real: this game will make you cry, and it will make you swear (at the difficulty, not the content). The opening 10 minutes are emotionally devastating in ways that rival Up's famous sequence. And while the platforming is fair, it's HARD—expect frustration and repeated failures.

From a safety perspective, it's squeaky clean: no microtransactions, no online weirdness, just a complete game you buy once. The emotional intensity and difficulty are the main concerns, not inappropriate content.

This is perfect for families who want something beautiful and meaningful that treats kids with respect—it doesn't talk down or dumb things down. Just prep younger players for some sad moments and be ready to either help with tricky sections or encourage them to take breaks when frustration hits. It's a modern classic that holds up beautifully in 2025, even a decade after release.

Age Fit

Best for ages 8-16, though the emotional maturity needed might skew older (10+) for some kids. Younger players may struggle with both the difficulty and the heavy themes, while teens will appreciate the artistic achievement and won't find it too 'kiddie' despite the cute protagonist.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

82

Deeply emotional story centered on love, sacrifice, and hope. Models courage and perseverance through adversity. The narrative explores themes of family, loss, and redemption in age-appropriate ways. Some intense emotional moments (parent death, sacrifice) are handled with grace but may be heavy for sensitive kids. No cynicism or mean-spiritedness—the tone is earnest and heartfelt throughout.

Imaginative

92

Visually stunning hand-painted artwork creates a dreamlike fantasy world. Metroidvania-style exploration encourages curiosity and problem-solving as players unlock new abilities to access previously unreachable areas. Environmental storytelling invites interpretation. The orchestral score and wordless narrative style spark imagination. Puzzle-platformer mechanics require creative thinking to navigate challenges.

Safe

75

No in-game purchases, loot boxes, or online chat—clean monetization model. However, the game features some genuinely sad and emotionally intense moments including parental death in the opening sequence and creature deaths throughout. Combat involves defeating corrupted forest creatures. Difficulty spikes can be frustrating and may lead to repeated deaths. No gore or inappropriate content, but emotional weight and challenge level warrant caution for younger or sensitive players.

Enriching

85

Builds genuine skills: spatial reasoning, timing, pattern recognition, and persistence through challenging platforming. Teaches emotional resilience—the game is genuinely difficult and requires learning from failure. Explores meaningful themes of environmental stewardship, sacrifice, and finding courage. The wordless storytelling encourages interpretation and emotional intelligence. However, the difficulty may frustrate some players to the point of quitting rather than enriching.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Genuinely artistic experience with hand-painted visuals and orchestral score that rivals Pixar films in emotional impact
Teaches real persistence and problem-solving through challenging but fair platforming—kids will earn their victories
Explores heavy themes (loss, sacrifice, environmental destruction) with maturity and grace, sparking meaningful conversations
Zero predatory elements: no ads, no in-app purchases, no online strangers—just a complete, focused game experience
Metroidvania exploration rewards curiosity and backtracking with new abilities unlocking previously inaccessible areas

⚠

What to Watch For

Opening sequence features Ori's adoptive parent dying—it's handled beautifully but hits HARD and may upset sensitive kids
Difficulty is no joke: expect frustration, repeated deaths, and potential controller-throwing moments for kids who struggle with precision platforming
Some chase sequences and combat can feel intense and stressful, though never gory or gratuitously violent
The emotional weight throughout is significant—this isn't a light, breezy game despite the fairy-tale aesthetic

Conversation Starters

"That opening was rough, huh? What did you think about how Naru took care of Ori?"
"When you got stuck on that section, what made you keep trying instead of giving up?"
"Why do you think the forest is dying? What does the game seem to be saying about taking care of nature?"
"Ori doesn't talk—how does the game tell you what's happening and how characters feel?"
"Which ability did you unlock that felt the most satisfying to use?"

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