Ori and the Will of the Wisps is that rare game that's both genuinely artistic and genuinely fun—a platformer with the emotional heft of a Pixar film and the challenge of a proper skill-based game.

The good news: it's absolutely gorgeous, has zero predatory monetization, and tells a story about family and sacrifice that doesn't talk down to kids. The platforming is tight and rewarding, teaching real perseverance and problem-solving.

The reality check: this game will make your kid cry (in the good way, but still), and it will also make them yell at the screen when they die for the 47th time on the same jump. It's challenging enough that younger or less experienced gamers might bounce off it hard. And some of the emotional beats—separation, peril, sacrifice—are genuinely heavy.

If your kid can handle a good cry and some genuine difficulty, this is one of the best family-friendly games of the past few years. Just maybe sit nearby for both the tears and the tough platforming sections.