Ori and the Blind Forest

I don't think the visuals are that impressive once it settles on its style since it doesn't want to push its visuals beyond coherency and a few sweeping setpieces. The plot also doesn't do much beyond its opening scene and the environmentalist theming is superficial. But despite all that, the game has such a strong toolkit for you to play with and level design that both encourages you to experiment and has some level of challenge that elevates it above most metroidvanias.

Best in his genre.

This is a really nice game to pick up if you want something to scratch a nagging Metroidvania itch. Not too long (I finished it near 100% in 2-3 sittings) but with gorgeous artwork and music, plus a unique satisfying midair ricochet/jump ability I'd never really seen before. Several of the abilities reminded me of Hollow Knight, but this game is much shorter, with more emphasis on platforming and puzzle-solving than on combat.

fun and fluid jumping around and wonderful animation, though i did seem to get stuck a lot on linear pathways for what is supposed to be a metroidvania. a narrative of hollywood environmentalism complete with an overbearing 3d cgi soundtrack, though, sure, that opening was really well done for what it is. not quite as well done as the intro of that pixar balloon movie, though.

Listen, there is a part where they mess with gravity and then force you to do blind jumps. Sure with the save system it's not that punishing and it's easy enough once you get it to hit it every time, but why add stuff like that in a game at all? It's not the near perfect flower some may tell you, but it's a bucket of fun and gorgeous in both visuals and sound.

This was a game I wanted to play in 2015 but what I didn't understand was that 5 minutes in I'd want to cry and this would be one of my favourite games of the year. A beautiful game that doesn't skimp at all on the gameplay, offering us a good take on the Metroidvania.