Moon Studios’ Ori and the Will of the Wisps launched March 11, 2020 as the sequel that perfected the formula. The Metroidvania expanded combat, added boss fights, and delivered even more emotional devastation with Shriek’s tragic backstory, all while maintaining breathtaking art direction.
Critical Masterpiece
- 90/100 Metacritic score (Xbox Series X)
- Best Art Direction nominee (TGA 2020)
- Launch technical issues (quickly patched)
- Xbox Game Pass day-one
- Switch port (2020) impressive optimization
Gameplay Evolution
New mechanics:
- Combat — Sword, hammer, bow, spear weapons
- Spirit Shards — Customizable passive abilities
- Boss fights — Absent in first game, now challenging
- NPCs & side quests — Expanded world-building
- Burrow ability — Underground exploration
The additions deepened gameplay without bloating.
Shriek: Tragic Villain
The game’s emotional core:
- Owl rejected by both owls and spirits
- Lived in isolation, darkness
- Final boss fight optional mercy
- “Remember Me” achievement (bury Shriek)
- Players cried for the villain
Shriek joined gaming’s most sympathetic antagonists.
Technical Showcase
- Xbox One X enhanced (4K)
- Xbox Series X 120fps mode
- Ray tracing, HDR implementation
- Gareth Coker’s orchestral score expanded
- No loading screens
The game pushed Xbox hardware to limits.
Ending & Legacy
Will of the Wisps concluded Ori’s journey:
- Ori becomes a spirit tree (sacrifice for rebirth)
- Cycle continues (life, death, renewal)
- Emotional finale rivals The Last of Us
The duology cemented Moon Studios as premier indie dev (before studio drama).
Sources: Moon Studios, Microsoft, Metacritic, gaming press 2020-2023