Nostalgia is a strong factor in appreciating games, but now it is also becoming a factor in making them. With release of free engines like Unity and independent developer support programs by industry giants, more and more love letters to classic hits see the light of day. Some of them are good, others not so much. Ori And The Blind Forest is an example of nostalgic indie that works.
In its core the game is a classic two-dimensional platformer. Side view, up and down geometry and a few perks offered by a modern game engine and hardware to support it. The result is a stunningly beautiful environment in which you play. Obsolete game design, it turns out, allows for a level of detail unimaginable in "larger" games. Every stone on your path, every flicker of light, every effect feel like hand-drawn animation in Disney's legendary animated films. This is the strongest point of the game - it's beautiful beyond belief.
The gameplay adds to the charm of the on-screen picture. It's traditional platformer with a few tweaks and fixes making a modern game more balanced based on decades of experience. You go forward, use special abilities, advance the story and explore small, but fascinating levels. It's nostalgia through and through. The game makes you feel like you're a kid again, playing the dream game combining fairy tales and Nintendo games. The story makes the impression complete by being a solid and interesting experience I would not spoil for gamers who wish to explore this little gem.
If you want to feel good and enjoy something truly and not complexly beautiful, I highly recommend checking out this really cheap, but incredibly satisfying indie game.
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