In the heart of the magical forest of Nibel, its guardian, the spirit tree, grows. One day, during a storm, it loses one of its children named Ori. This is how the baby's fabulous adventures begin...
This story is at the heart of the legendary game Ori and the Blind Forest, which we will discuss in this article. It also offers tips for aspiring game creators.
And if your child also wants to be a young developer, welcome to Progkids!
Who came up with Ori?
Ori and the Blind Forest is an action-adventure platform video game created by Moon Studios. The development of Ori and the Blind Forest began in 2011. The team consisted of talented professionals from all over the world working remotely with the studio. This has made it possible to attract top professionals regardless of their location. The game was released in March 2015 with support from Microsoft.
Cartoon inspiration
When starting work on Ori and the Blind Forest, Thomas Mahler and other developers at Moon Studios wanted to create a game that would harmoniously combine elements of classic platformers, a deep emotional storyline and stunning visual aesthetics. They were inspired by games such as Metroid and Rayman, as well as the world-famous cartoons The Lion King and The Steel Giant. For example, the sad scene of Naru's death is reminiscent of a similar sad moment in Mufasa's death.
Amazing beauty
One of the key features of the game was its artistic style. The designers used hand animation and carefully drawn backgrounds to create a unique visual. The musical accompaniment added atmosphere and emotional depth to the game.
The journey begins... with trial and error
Ori and the Blind Forest's gameplay combines platformer elements with open-world exploration (metroidvania). Players control Ori who can jump, run on walls and use various abilities to overcome obstacles and fight enemies. Initially, gamers don't get any clues about what they need to do. They learn to control a character through trial and error. Then Assistant Sein joins Ori, making the players feel better.
Ori is becoming a global favorite
Ori and the Blind Forest has been praised by critics for its visual aesthetics, beautiful music, and emotionally rich storyline. The game was also noted for its complexity and unusual gameplay mechanics.
Igromania magazine spoke about Ori and the Blind Forest as follows:
“An intoxicatingly beautiful, interesting and deep platformer in its own way. Ori and the Blind Forest doesn't take you for a fool and constantly throws up new challenges, but it doesn't lose its grip: the game is always just as difficult as it needs to be.”
Tips for young developers: What Ori and the Blind Forest can teach
Ori and the Blind Forest is not only a beautiful and emotional game, but also an inspiring example for young creators. Here are a few lessons new developers can learn from this game:
Lesson 1. Style and artistic aesthetics
Ori and the Blind Forest impresses with its visual range. The artists have put a lot of effort into carefully painting the backgrounds and creating a unique and memorable world.
Lesson:
The visual plays a key role in creating the atmosphere of the game. Try to make your game stand out from the rest.
Spend some time exploring different “drawing” options and artistic styles.
Lesson 2. A touching story
The Ori and the Blind Forest plot touches the deepest strings of the soul and evokes strong emotions in players. A story about love, strong friendship, losses, trials, the search for lost happiness, etc. will remain in the players' memory for a long time.
Lesson:
An emotional story can significantly enhance the experience of the game. Try to come up with a deep story with interesting characters that will evoke emotions and make players empathize with them.
Lesson 3. Gameplay and mechanics
The game mechanics in Ori and the Blind Forest are varied and fun: players can jump, run on walls, and use different abilities to overcome obstacles.
Lesson:
The variety of mechanics makes the game more interesting. As you create levels, gradually introduce new features and improvements to keep players engaged throughout the game.
Lesson 4. Musical accompaniment
The Ori and the Blind Forest soundtrack adds atmosphere and emotional depth to the game. The music changes depending on the situation in the game, enhancing the experience of what is happening on the screen.
Lesson:
Use the influence of music to enhance your emotional effect.
Lesson 5. Smooth animation
The animation in Ori and the Blind Forest is at a high level: the characters' movements are smooth and natural, which makes the gameplay more enjoyable.
Lesson:
High-quality animation improves the perception of the game. Try to make the characters' movement smooth and enjoyable.
Lesson 6. The balance of complexity
Ori and the Blind Forest offers a balance between complexity and affordability. The game requires players to have certain skills, but it also provides an opportunity to learn from mistakes and progress.
Lesson:
The balance of difficulty is a key factor in keeping players interested. Create challenges and tasks that require some skill but don't make the game too difficult.
Ori and the Blind Forest has become one of the most memorable games of its time due to its unique art style, deep story, and engaging gameplay. This game continues to inspire players and developers alike to create new masterpieces in the video game world.
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