Uncovering the Best Ori and the Blind Forest Alternatives
“Ori and the Blind Forest” captivated players with its stunning hand-painted art, emotional story, and challenging action-platforming. This visually beautiful Metroidvania from Moon Studios, where a young orphan hero must save a dying forest, set a high bar for the genre. However, if you've explored every inch of Nibel and are yearning for a similar experience, you're in luck! There are many fantastic Ori and the Blind Forest alternative games that offer compelling narratives, intricate platforming, and expansive worlds to discover.
Top Ori and the Blind Forest Alternatives
Whether you're seeking more atmospheric exploration, intense platforming challenges, or deeply emotional stories, these games provide excellent alternatives to the enchanting world of Ori.
Cave Story (Dokutsu Monogatari)
Cave Story, or Dokutsu Monogatari, is a Japanese freeware Metroidvania side-scrolling platform-adventure game that shares Ori's emphasis on exploration and tight platforming. It's available across a wide range of platforms including Free, Mac, Windows, Linux, and even Nintendo Switch, offering a classic gaming experience that resonates with the genre's core.
Hollow Knight
Descend into the Dark in Hollow Knight, a commercial 2D game that provides an even more expansive and challenging Metroidvania experience than Ori. Available on Mac, Windows, Linux, and Steam, its atmospheric world, intricate lore, and demanding combat make it a superb choice for fans looking for deep exploration and satisfying progression.
Super Meat Boy
Super Meat Boy is a commercial platform game developed by Team Meat, known for its incredibly precise and challenging platforming, similar to Ori's more demanding sequences. Available on Mac, Windows, and Linux, it features full controller support and offers a pure single-player platforming experience that will test your reflexes.
Rayman
The Rayman series offers a rich history of commercial platforming excellence, created by Michel Ancel and owned by Ubisoft. With titles available on Mac, Windows, Android, iPhone, and iPad, Rayman's vibrant worlds and engaging single-player gameplay provide a delightful alternative for those who enjoyed Ori's smooth movement and challenging levels.
Frogatto & Friends
Frogatto & Friends is an old-school 2D platformer that is free and open source on Windows and Linux, while costing a small fee on other platforms like Mac, iPhone, and iPad. Its charming 2D graphics and classic single-player gaming make it a delightful choice for those seeking a traditional platforming experience reminiscent of Ori's engaging mechanics.
VVVVVV
VVVVVV is a retro-style, chiptune-filled 2D platformer that reverses gravity instead of jumping, offering a unique twist on platforming that requires precision and quick thinking, much like Ori's demanding sequences. It's a commercial, open-source title available on Mac, Windows, Linux, Web, Android, and iPhone, making it highly accessible for fans of innovative gameplay.
Braid
Braid is a commercial platforming game in a painterly style, similar to Ori's visual appeal, where you manipulate the flow of time to solve puzzles. Available on Mac, Windows, and Linux, its unique puzzle-solving mechanics within a single-player campaign offer a cerebral and engaging experience for those who appreciate innovative gameplay and a compelling narrative.
Bastion
Bastion, the first title from Supergiant Games, is an original commercial action role-playing game set in a lush imaginative world. Available on Mac, Windows, Linux, iPhone, and iPad, while not a platformer in the same vein as Ori, its rich storytelling, unique art style, and engaging combat make it an excellent choice for players who appreciated Ori's immersive world and emotional depth.
Iconoclasts
Iconoclasts is a commercial Metroidvania with a compelling story about Robin, a mechanic without a license in a world ruled by Mother. Available on Mac, Windows, Linux, and various consoles like Steam, GOG.com, and Nintendo Switch, its intricate level design, engaging characters, and strong narrative make it a fantastic alternative for those who loved Ori's blend of platforming and storytelling.
Capsized
Capsized is a retro-inspired commercial 2D platformer developed by Alientrap, featuring a unique hand-drawn art style that will appeal to fans of Ori's visuals. Available on Mac, Windows, Linux, and Steam, players crash-land on an alien planet as an intrepid space traveler, offering an atmospheric and engaging platforming adventure.
Each of these games offers a unique take on the platforming or action-adventure genre, providing diverse experiences that capture different facets of what makes “Ori and the Blind Forest” so special. Whether you prioritize challenging gameplay, a rich narrative, or beautiful aesthetics, you're sure to find your next favorite adventure among these excellent alternatives.