Ori and the Will of the Wisps is a beautiful, emotionally charged platformer that challenges players with intricate platforming and engaging combat. Whether you’re a newcomer or someone returning from Ori and the Blind Forest, there’s a lot to learn. This guide is designed to help you master the game’s mechanics, traverse its stunning world, and defeat its tough enemies. From understanding movement and exploration to mastering combat and boss battles, this guide will cover everything you need to succeed.
Introduction: The World of Ori and the Will of the Wisps
Ori and the Will of the Wisps is an action-adventure game that features a mix of platforming, exploration, and combat. Players control Ori, a small spirit who must navigate the world of Niwen, solving puzzles, defeating enemies, and unlocking new abilities. While the game is known for its beautiful art style and music, it’s also packed with challenging mechanics that require skill and patience to master. This guide will cover the essential strategies needed to fully experience and conquer the game.
How to Navigate the World of Niwen
One of the first challenges players face in Ori and the Will of the Wisps is learning how to navigate the vast world of Niwen. The map is divided into several interconnected regions, each with its own unique challenges, enemies, and puzzles.
Learning Ori’s Basic Movement
At the beginning of the game, Ori has limited movement options, but they are crucial for early exploration. The basic controls involve running, jumping, and climbing.
- Jumping and Climbing: Mastering the timing of Ori’s jump is essential for clearing obstacles and avoiding environmental hazards. Ori can also cling to walls, allowing for careful navigation of vertical areas.
Using the Map to Your Advantage
The game’s map is your best friend when it comes to exploration. Make sure to frequently check the map to track your progress, locate important items, and plan your next destination.
- Collecting Keystones: As you explore, you’ll encounter barriers that require keystones to unlock. Always keep an eye out for these collectibles, as they are often hidden in hard-to-reach areas.
How to Unlock Ori’s Essential Abilities
As you progress through Ori and the Will of the Wisps, Ori will gain access to new abilities that enhance movement and combat. These abilities are essential for overcoming tougher challenges later in the game.
Double Jump: Essential for Platforming
One of the first major abilities you’ll unlock is the Double Jump. This ability allows Ori to leap higher and reach previously inaccessible areas.
- How to Use Double Jump: Time your double jump to clear wide gaps and avoid hazards. It’s also useful for dodging enemy attacks during combat.
Dash and Bash: Mobility in Combat and Exploration
Dash and Bash are two of the most important abilities you’ll unlock. Dash allows Ori to quickly move across the ground or air, while Bash lets Ori launch off enemies or projectiles for extra mobility.
- Bash: Use this to propel yourself in new directions or deflect projectiles back at enemies.
- Dash: Perfect for avoiding damage during combat or covering long distances quickly in platforming sections.
How to Master Combat in Ori and the Will of the Wisps
Combat is a major component of the game, with a variety of enemies and bosses that require different strategies to defeat. Unlike Ori and the Blind Forest, which had limited combat options, Will of the Wisps introduces a more diverse combat system with multiple weapons and abilities.
Spirit Edge: Ori’s Primary Melee Weapon
The Spirit Edge is Ori’s go-to melee weapon for most of the game. It delivers fast, close-range attacks and can be upgraded to deal more damage.
- When to Use Spirit Edge: Best used against ground-based enemies or in situations where Ori can safely get close to an enemy.
Spirit Arc: Ranged Combat for Difficult Enemies
The Spirit Arc is a bow-like weapon that allows Ori to attack enemies from a distance. This is particularly useful against flying enemies or bosses with dangerous close-range attacks.
- Using Spirit Arc: Stay at a safe distance and fire arrows while dodging enemy attacks. Upgrading Spirit Arc reduces its energy cost, making it more effective in long fights.
How to Upgrade Weapons and Abilities
Upgrading Ori’s weapons and abilities is crucial for survival, especially as enemies get tougher. Throughout the game, you’ll find Spirit Light, which can be used to purchase upgrades from NPCs.
Visiting Opher the Weapons Master
Opher is the character you’ll want to visit frequently to upgrade your weapons and abilities. He offers powerful upgrades that increase damage, speed, and utility in combat.
- Key Upgrades:
- Spirit Edge: Increases attack speed and range.
- Spirit Smash: Boosts damage and area of effect, ideal for dealing with groups of enemies.
Enhancing Ori’s Abilities
In addition to weapon upgrades, Ori can unlock new abilities that change the way you approach both exploration and combat. Some of these abilities include:
- Triple Jump: A critical upgrade that allows Ori to jump three times in the air, greatly improving mobility.
- Regenerate: This ability lets Ori heal mid-combat, giving you more flexibility during difficult encounters.
How to Manage Energy and Health
Balancing your energy and health is a vital part of the gameplay experience. Both resources are needed for combat and platforming, but they can be depleted quickly if you’re not careful.
Collecting Energy Cells and Life Cells
Throughout the game, you’ll find Energy Cells and Life Cells, which increase Ori’s maximum energy and health, respectively. These are often hidden in secret areas, so be thorough in your exploration.
- Importance of Energy Cells: Many of Ori’s most powerful abilities, like Spirit Arc or Spirit Smash, consume energy. Make sure to prioritize finding Energy Cells to increase your combat options.
- Maximizing Health: Life Cells are essential for surviving tough enemy encounters and boss battles. The more health you have, the more room for error during combat.
Managing Resources in Combat
During tough encounters, it’s easy to run out of energy or health. Use Spirit Wells to recharge both resources, or consider using Spirit Shards that reduce energy consumption.
How to Tackle Boss Fights
Boss fights in Ori and the Will of the Wisps are visually stunning and mechanically demanding. Each boss requires a unique strategy to defeat, so preparation is key.
Learning Boss Attack Patterns
Every boss has a set of attack patterns that you’ll need to learn in order to dodge and counterattack effectively. Pay close attention to their movements and look for windows of opportunity to strike.
- Example Boss: Kwolok: Kwolok is a giant frog that alternates between melee and ranged attacks. Use Dash to avoid his charges and Spirit Arc to hit him from a distance when he’s vulnerable.
Staying Mobile
Boss fights demand constant movement. Use Bash and Dash to keep Ori out of harm’s way and position yourself for counterattacks.
- Tip: Don’t stay in one place too long. Use Ori’s mobility to your advantage to outmaneuver larger, slower bosses.
How to Solve Puzzles in Ori and the Will of the Wisps
The game features a variety of puzzles that must be solved to progress through the story. These puzzles often involve using Ori’s abilities in creative ways.
Environmental Puzzles
Many puzzles require manipulating the environment, such as moving platforms or redirecting energy beams. You’ll often need to combine different abilities like Bash and Dash to solve these puzzles.
- Key Strategy: If you’re stuck on a puzzle, look for objects in the environment that Ori can interact with, such as levers or switches.
Light and Shadow Puzzles
Later in the game, you’ll encounter puzzles that involve light and shadow mechanics. Ori must manipulate beams of light or avoid dangerous shadows to proceed.
- How to Approach Light Puzzles: Use Bash to redirect beams of light into specific targets, or activate switches to manipulate platforms and doors.
How to Use Spirit Shards to Customize Your Playstyle
Spirit Shards are collectible items that offer passive bonuses to Ori’s abilities, allowing players to customize their playstyle. There are dozens of shards to find, each with unique effects.
Offensive Spirit Shards
For players who prefer a more aggressive approach, certain Spirit Shards can increase Ori’s damage output.
- Key Offensive Shards:
- Reckless: Increases Ori’s damage output at the cost of taking more damage.
- Finesse: Adds a chance for critical hits, increasing damage unpredictably.
Defensive Spirit Shards
For players who want more survivability, there are shards that reduce incoming damage or heal Ori over time.
- Key Defensive Shards:
- Vitality: Increases Ori’s maximum health.
- Resilience: Reduces all incoming damage.
How to Complete Side Quests and Earn Rewards
Side quests in Ori and the Will of the Wisps offer valuable rewards, including new abilities, upgrades, and Spirit Shards.
Important Side Quests to Complete
Some of the most rewarding side quests include:
- The Moki’s Map Quest: This quest rewards you with an upgrade that reveals secret areas on the map.
- Combat Shrines: These optional challenges reward you with powerful new Spirit Shards and weapon upgrades.
Conclusion: Mastering Ori and the Will of the Wisps
Ori and the Will of the Wisps is a game that demands both skill and patience. By mastering movement, combat, and exploration, you’ll be able to fully experience the beauty and challenge of the game. Remember to upgrade your abilities, learn enemy patterns, and take advantage of the many Spirit Shards available to customize Ori’s strengths. With these strategies in hand, you’ll be well-equipped to guide Ori through the stunning, dangerous world of Niwen.
Summary:
Master Ori’s movement, combat, and exploration to conquer Ori and the Will of the Wisps. Upgrade abilities and use Spirit Shards for a personalized playstyle.
