There's been talk over the past year about Microsoft's commitment to independent game development on the Xbox platform. Some say it's an easy process, but the fact remains that the ID@XBOX initiative hasn't produced anything memorable on the Xbox One. Fortunately, one indie-developed game on Xbox One is finally getting big praise, with the release of Ori and the Blind Forest.
"From a mechanical standpoint, Ori and the Blind Forest isn't an evolution of the genre, and you've seen most of what's on offer here before. But aesthetically it's in a league of its own, and everything it does, it does well. If you're looking for a metroidvania, I'd consider this a new classic."
-Destructoid
Ori and the Blind Forest was showcased repeatedly by Microsoft in 2014 as an important part of the expanding Xbox games library. The game has an incredible artistic taste and charm to it, making it stand out from the very first moment you see it. For anyone looking to get away from the redundant shooter or racer right now, this may be the best game purchase you make in the first half of 2015.
"One of the best games of the year, and should be a no-brainer for anyone looking for an exciting new adventure to dive into. That said, it comes with a warning: Expect to be humbled by its difficulty. Death comes quickly."
-Game Informer
The game is currently boasting a Metascore of 89/100 with 36 reviews submitted at the time of this article being published. To put that in perspective, only Grand Theft Auto V and Rayman Legends hold a better Metascore than Ori right now when you look at every Xbox One game ever published. Ori and the Blind Forest can be purchased starting today through the Xbox Games Store for $19.99.
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