Ori and the Will of the Wisps

Game Introduction: Ori and the Will of the Wisps

Overview

Ori and the Will of the Wisps is a critically acclaimed action-adventure platformer developed by Moon Studios and published by Xbox Game Studios. It is the direct sequel to Ori and the Blind Forest (2015) and expands upon the original’s emotional storytelling, fluid movement, and hand-painted art. Released on March 11, 2020, the game is available on Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, PC (Windows 10 and Steam), and is also playable on Xbox Game Pass for console and PC. The game received several post-launch updates and a major expansion, making it a definitive experience for fans of the Metroidvania genre.

Story Overview

Set after the events of Ori and the Blind Forest, the game follows the spirit guardian Ori and a tiny fox-like creature Ku, who fell into a dark forest at the end of the first game. A tragic accident separates them, hurling Ori into a vast, decaying world known as Niwen. This land is plagued by a spreading corruption called the Decay, which has drained the life from the forest and its inhabitants. Ori must journey through five distinct biomes, uncover the truth behind the Decay, and restore the light to Niwen using the Will of the Wisps—mysterious spirits that hold the power to heal the land. Along the way, Ori encounters both allies and adversaries, including a wise owl named Shriek, who serves as a tragic antagonist, and other ancient guardians. The narrative explores themes of sacrifice, family, and the cycle of life, culminating in a deeply emotional conclusion.

Setting

The world of Niwen is a stunningly hand-animated, 2.5D side-scrolling forest filled with lush vegetation, bioluminescent flora, and crumbling ruins. Each of the four main regions—Inkwater Marsh, Wellspring Glades, Luma Pools, and Baur’s Reach—offers a distinct visual aesthetic and environmental challenges, from underwater currents to volcanic caves. The sky-themed Wind Wastes and the eerie Mouldwood Depths further diversify the exploration. The map is interconnected with hidden paths, shortcuts, and secret areas, encouraging thorough exploration. The environment is fully interactive: water ripples, leaves rustle, and dynamic lighting creates a living, breathing world. The game’s orchestral soundtrack, composed by Gareth Coker, dynamically shifts to match the mood and intensity of each area, enhancing the immersive experience.

Main Characters

• Ori: The silent, nimble spirit protagonist from the first game, now more agile and powerful. Ori can wall-jump, dash, double-jump, and use a variety of combat skills.


• Ku: A young, owlet-like spirit who bonds with Ori in the opening sequence. Her accidental fall triggers Ori’s journey, and her fate is central to the story. (Note: Ku is a major character, but please avoid unmarked story spoilers as per common practice in game introductions. The above description is safe.)


• Shriek: The primary antagonist, a twisted, mute owl whose wings are incapable of flight. Her tragic backstory and motivations are revealed gradually, making her a complex and memorable villain.


• Tokk: A friendly, wise frog-like creature who serves as the game’s quest giver and guide, offering missions that unlock new abilities and lore.


• Kwolok: A giant, benevolent frog guardian who teaches Ori the Burrow ability, allowing underground travel.


• Mora: A spider-like spirit who dwells in the Mouldwood Depths and grants the Flash ability.


• Grom: A weak-spot guardian who gives Ori the Dash upgrade.


• Shriek’s siblings (Unnamed): Support characters that appear as small, glowing wisps who assist Ori in certain areas.




Core Appeal


Ori and the Will of the Wisps is beloved for its silky-smooth movement and challenging but fair combat system, which replaces the original’s pure platforming focus with a wider array of weapons and skills. Players can equip Spirit Shards—customizable upgrades that alter playstyle (e.g., increasing damage, reducing cooldowns, or adding extra health). The game offers a tightly crafted Metroidvania map that rewards backtracking and exploration, with frequent save points and a flexible fast-travel system. The emotional story and stunning visuals create an unforgettable experience, often compared to interactive art. The difficulty is balanced to be approachable for newcomers while offering high-difficulty modes and optional bosses for veterans.



Target Audience


This game appeals to:

• Fans of action-platformers and Metroidvania games (e.g., Hollow Knight, Super Metroid, Castlevania: Symphony of the Night)


• Players who appreciate hand-drawn animation and expressive art styles


• Gamers looking for a story-driven single-player experience with emotional depth


• Casual players who enjoy exploration and puzzle-solving in a beautiful open world


• Achievements hunters and completionists, thanks to a robust collectible system




Game Modes



• Story Mode (single-player only): The main campaign, which takes approximately 10–15 hours to complete (up to 20 for 100%).


• New Game+ (not available at launch, added post-launch): Allows players to start a new game with previously upgraded abilities and Spirit Shards, but with increased enemy difficulty.


• Boss Rush (added in a major update): A separate mode that lets players fight all major bosses consecutively for a high-score challenge.


• Spirit Trials (timed challenges): Optional race-like courses that test movement skills against ghost records.


• Difficulty Options: Includes Easy, Normal, Hard, and a One Life mode (permadeath) for masochists.




Online/Offline Support



• Offline: The entire game can be played offline from start to finish. No internet connection is required for single-player content.


• Online: Leaderboards for Spirit Trials are available online. Also, updates and DLC must be downloaded via internet. No multiplayer or co-op modes exist.




DLC / Expansion Overview



• Ori and the Will of the Wisps received a substantial free expansion titled "The Sacrifice" (officially called the "Major Update" on July 7, 2020). This added:

- Boss Rush mode
- New Game+ with extra difficulty scaling
- Additional Spirit Shards and upgrades
- A new difficulty option (One Life)
- Quality-of-life improvements (improved map, faster loading, etc.)

• A separate Definitive Edition was never released; the base game plus this free update is considered the final version.

What Makes This Game Unique

1. Hand-painted art & cinematic animation: Each frame is drawn by hand, resulting in a living watercolor aesthetic that sets a new standard for 2D games.
2. Fluid, precise movement: Ori’s control is buttery smooth—wall jumps, dashes, and a new grapple ability create a rhythmic flow that feels like a platforming symphony.
3. Dynamic soundtrack: Gareth Coker’s score adapts to player actions, heightening emotional beats and adrenaline moments.
4. Spirit Shard system: Replaces a simple skill tree with interchangeable upgrades that allow deep customisation of Ori’s combat and traversal style.
5. Emotional storytelling: The game’s narrative is delivered through minimal dialogue and environmental cues, relying on player empathy and visual poetry.
6. True Metroidvania design: The map is non-linear, with secrets hidden behind ability gates that require backtracking, creating a satisfying loop of discovery and mastery.

Getting Started with Ori and the Will of the Wisps: A Beginner's Guide

This guide is designed to help brand-new players jump into Ori and the Will of the Wisps without frustration. We'll cover everything from controls to the first hour, common mistakes, and a day-one checklist.

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Important Note: No Character Creation

There is no character creation in Ori and the Will of the Wisps. You play as Ori, a small forest spirit. All customization comes from equipping Spirit Shards (which modify abilities) and spending Ability Points to unlock upgrades.

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First Hour Walkthrough (Spoiler-Free)

1. Opening Cinematic: After starting a new game, you'll see a short cutscene. You then gain control of Ori at the start of the game's first area, Inkwater Marsh.
2. Basic Movement: Immediately after the cutscene, walk right. You'll learn to jump (A / Cross / Space). Follow the glowing trail of spirits.
3. First Encounter & Combat: Shortly, you'll be asked to find a sword. You'll meet Kwolok, who gives you the Spirit Edge (your first weapon). Follow the tutorial prompts to attack (X / Square / Left Mouse).
4. First Spirit Well: You'll find a Spirit Well (saving/restore point). Always activate it – it's your checkpoint and allows fast travel later.
5. Abilities in Order: Within the first hour you'll unlock:
- Wall Jump (after the first large area)
- Bash (a key ability that lets you launch off enemies and projectiles)
- Light Burst (a light projectile that can illuminate dark areas and create platforms)
6. Grom Encounter: You'll fight a large enemy named Grom. Use the sword and dodge. After defeating it, you get a Spirit Light Container (increases health).
7. First Escape Sequence: After Grom, you'll enter a short chase sequence. Just keep moving right and upward, using wall jumps and your new abilities. If you die, you respawn at the last Spirit Well.
8. Arrival at Wellspring Glades: This is the first hub area. You'll meet NPCs like Kwolok again, Lupo (map seller), Tokk (Spirit Shard vendor), and Opher (ability trainer). Spend your early Spirit Light (currency) here on map reveal (Lupo) and a starting shard (Tokk).
9. Explore West: After the hub, your first main objective is to go west (left from the central tree) into The Wellspring area. This is the intended path. Follow the objective marker.

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Controls Across All Platforms

Note for PC Keyboard & Mouse: The default controls are customizable in the Options menu. Many players prefer to rebind attack to a thumb button on the mouse for easier combat.

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UI Overview

Health Bar (top-left): Green orbs – each orb is one hit point. When you take damage, orbs break. Recover health at Spirit Wells, by using health pickups, or with the Vitality Spirit Shard.
Energy Bar (left of health): Blue bar – used for special abilities like Spirit Arc (ranged attack) and Light Burst. Recharges slowly over time or at Spirit Wells.
Ability Points (top-center): Show number of unspent Ability Points (AP). You earn AP by defeating enemies and finding hidden items. Spend them at the ability tree (press D-Pad Up / Up arrow / Up on controller).
Spirit Light (top-right): The currency. Dropped by enemies, found in chests, and given by NPCs. Used to buy maps and items.
Spirit Shard Slots (bottom-left): Equip up to 3 (later more) shards that modify abilities (e.g., reduce damage, increase attack power).
Map (Press Map button): Shows explored areas, Spirit Wells (blue icons), and main objectives (glowing markers). Buy area maps from Lupo to reveal hidden paths and collectibles.

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Essential Early Objectives

1. Activate every Spirit Well you find. They serve as save points, fast travel nodes, and health/energy refill stations.
2. Follow the main quest marker (golden circle/arrow) to progress the story. Initially, it leads to The Wellspring.
3. Earn Ability Points by defeating enemies and collecting floating green orbs. Spend them wisely – prioritize Bash upgrades (if you already have Bash), Wall Jump stamina, and Health upgrades early.
4. Buy the map from Lupo in Wellspring Glades for 150 Spirit Light. This reveals the layout of the first big area (Inkwater Marsh) and helps you find secrets.
5. Collect Spirit Containers (increase health/energy max) found in hidden areas. Look for cracked walls you can break with the Spirit Edge, or reachable ledges above the path.
6. Liberate Kwolok's Sister – This is your first major quest after reaching The Wellspring. Talk to Kwolok at the hub for guidance.

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What to Do First (Priority List)

1. After the opening, reach the Wellspring Glades hub. This unlocks fast travel and NPC merchants.
2. Buy the map from Lupo (150 Spirit Light).
3. Visit Tokk to buy your first Spirit Shard. If you have at least 100 Spirit Light, get the Vitality shard (increases health pickups). Or save for Reckless (more damage but no double jump – not recommended early).
4. Talk to Opher to learn about upgrades. He offers a tutorial on using Bash if you're struggling.
5. Head west into The Wellspring to progress the main story. This will eventually give you the Wall Jump ability (if you don't have it yet) and the Grapple ability later.
6. Collect every ability point orb you see. They are often hidden just off the main path.

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What to Avoid (Common Newcomer Traps)

Don't skip Spirit Wells. If you pass one without activating it, you'll have to backtrack later. Always stop to use the Soul Link (press Y/Triangle/X) to activate it.
Avoid fighting multiple enemies at once early on. Use hit-and-run tactics; your sword has a short range. Use Bash (if unlocked) to bounce off enemies and projectiles to reposition.
Don't hoard Spirit Light. Spend it on maps, shards, and ability purchases. Spirit Light is abundant; you won't run out.
Don't neglect upgrades. The ability tree is essential. Save at least 2-3 Ability Points for the first tier of health (Vitality) and energy (Energy) upgrades.
Don't ignore the map. If you get lost, open the map. The objective marker always points to the next story goal.
Avoid the dark areas without Light Burst. Some caves require the Light Burst ability (found in the first hour). If you enter them without it, you'll be stuck in darkness and take damage. Wait until you have the ability.

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Early Resource Priorities

1. Spirit Light: First 150 → Map. Next 100 → Spirit Shard (Vitality or Reckless). After that, save for Skill Upgrades from Opher (e.g., Quick Shot for Spirit Arc).
2. Ability Points: Spend on the following in this order:
- Vitality (increase max health) – 2 AP
- Energy (increase max energy) – 2 AP
- Bash Efficiency (if you use Bash often) – 2 AP
- Wall Jump Mastery (makes wall jumps easier) – 1 AP
- Spirit Arc Range – if you like ranged combat
3. Health & Energy Containers: Explore thoroughly to find them. Hidden areas often reward you with one or the other. Your first container should be a Health Upgrade (usually found shortly after the first hub).
4. Collectibles: Seeds (for side quests) and Gorlek Ore (for upgrading the hub) are secondary but worth grabbing when you see them.

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Common Beginner Mistakes (And How to Fix)

Mistake 1: Forgetting to use Bash.

• Fix: Bash is your most versatile tool. Use it to launch off enemies, projectiles, and even some environmental objects. Practice in safe areas. It can save you from deadly falls.


Mistake 2: Ignoring the map and getting lost.

• Fix: Open the map frequently. The golden trail indicates the planned progression. If you're stuck, buy the area map from Lupo; it reveals hidden pathways.


Mistake 3: Not upgrading health or energy.

• Fix: Spend Ability Points early on Vitality (health) and Energy (energy). You'll survive more hits and can use abilities more often.


Mistake 4: Attempting difficult enemies before unlocking better abilities.

• Fix: If an enemy seems too hard (like the large flying frogs), you're likely underpowered. Try a different path, or come back after unlocking Spirit Arc (ranged attack) or Bash upgrades.


Mistake 5: Saving too little.

• Fix: Use Spirit Wells every time you pass one. There is no auto-save in critical moments. If you die far from the last well, you lose progress.


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Day-One Checklist (First Play Session)




• [ ] Complete the opening sequence (reach Inkwater Marsh).


• [ ] Defeat Grom and escape the collapsing area.


• [ ] Reach Wellspring Glades and activate the Spirit Well there.


• [ ] Buy the Map from Lupo (150 Spirit Light).


• [ ] Buy at least one Spirit Shard from Tokk (recommended: Vitality).


• [ ] Spend Ability Points on Vitality and Energy upgrades (2 points each).


• [ ] Head west into The Wellspring and unlock Wall Jump (if not already done) and Bash (if you missed it earlier).


• [ ] Activate at least two more Spirit Wells in The Wellspring for fast travel.


• [ ] Collect any Spirit Light or Ability Point orbs you spot along the main path.


• [ ] Avoid unnecessary combat with groups – focus on exploration and getting abilities.


• [ ] If you find a Spirit Container, upgrade health first (over energy).


• [ ] End your session at a Spirit Well (so you respawn there next time).

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Final Tips

Play with sound on. The music cues and audio cues (e.g., a whistle when near a secret) are helpful.
Experiment with Spirit Shards. Each shard changes your playstyle. Don't be afraid to swap them often.
Save often manually? You can't manually save; the game autosaves at Spirit Wells. So always activate them.
If you feel stuck, watch a walkthrough of the first area – but only for the section you're in. The game is linear initially but opens up later.

Enjoy the beautiful world of Niwen, and remember: every death is a lesson. Use your new knowledge to come back stronger.

Core Gameplay Overview

Ori and the Will of the Wisps is a Metroidvania action-platformer where you control Ori through the vast, interconnected world of Niwen. The core loop revolves around exploration → ability acquisition → combat & platforming challenges → progression → backtracking to previously inaccessible areas. Your primary resource is Spirit Light (experience/currency), used to purchase upgrades, abilities, and Shards. The game is structured around a sequence of main story quests that guide you through biomes, but a wealth of side content, collectibles, and optional bosses encourages thorough exploration.

Gameplay Systems Overview

• Movement & Platforming: Core to the experience. Ori gains mobility abilities (Wall Jump, Dash, Double Jump, Grapple, Glide, Burrow, Launch) that open new routes. Precision and timing are key.


• Combat: A mix of melee (Spirit Edge sword), ranged (Spirit Arc bow, Spirit Smash hammer), and defensive maneuvers (Dash, Bash). Combat encounters range from small enemies to massive boss fights.


• Quests & Missions: Main story quests advance the plot; side quests from NPCs (often Moki or other creatures) offer rewards like Shard slots, upgrades, or lore.


• Character Progression: Three skill trees (Vitality, Efficiency, Spirit) purchased with Ability Points (AP). Shards provide passive buffs with limited slots. Weapons and abilities unlock via story progression and exploration.


• Economy: Spirit Light (gold) is used to buy items/upgrades from vendors (Tuley, Lupo). Money bags, ore, and buried secrets yield additional currency.


• Endgame: After the story, the world remains open. Spirit Trials, boss refights, and full completion (Map, Shards, Sein collections) become the focus.


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Early Game (First 2–3 Hours / Inkwater Marsh & First Boss)





Main Gameplay Loop


1. Explore a linear path through the forest, learning basic controls (jump, attack, Spirit Edge).
2. Collect Spirit Light from glowing plants, enemies, and money bags.
3. Purchase first upgrades from Tuley at the Wellspring Glades after unlocking the Spirit Edge.
4. Complete quests like "Help the Moki", which reward early Ability Points and Shard slots.
5. First boss fight against the big frog (Kwolok) teaches pattern recognition and agile movement.



Combat/Interaction Systems



• Spirit Edge (sword) is your only weapon initially. Use for melee combos and ground-pounding enemies.


• Bash (acquired much later after Dash) is still unavailable; rely on dodging and basic attacks.


• Enemy types: Jellyfish, spiders, and spitters; all vulnerable to basic sword swings.


• Interact: Pressing button near NPCs triggers dialogue or quest acceptance.




Progression



• Ability Points (AP): Earned from defeating enemies, hidden collectibles (spirit orbs), and quest rewards. Invest in Vitality (health upgrades) and Efficiency (reduce ability costs) early.


• Skill Trees: Unlock first nodes: Vitality (extra health cells), Efficiency (fast swimming), Spirit (chance to refund AP).


• Health/Energy Cells: Found in the world or purchased; increases max HP and energy.




Exploration



• Map: Partial; need to find map fragments from Tuley or Lupo to reveal area. Early areas: Inkwater Marsh, Wellspring Glades (hub).


• Ability Gates : Wall Jump (learned from a tree in the Marsh) is the first gate. Many areas require Dash or Double Jump – remains blocked.


• Secrets: Hidden rooms with Spirit Light, rarely money bags; Look for cracked walls (break with ground pound after getting Spirit Smash later).




Quests/Missions



• Main: "Find the Spirit Willow" – follow Opher to the Marsh. After Kwolok defeat, you unlock the ability to save Kwolok and get the first map fragment.


• Side: "The Moki Nest" – locate a lost Moki near the Wellspring entrance. Reward: 2 AP.




Economy



• Spirit Light: Use to buy maps (Lupo, 50–200 SL each), energy cells (300 SL), health cells (300 SL), or weapon upgrades (from Tuley: Spirit Arc bow costs 300 SL). Early game: prioritize health cell and map.


• Money Bags: Hidden around world; smash for 25–50 SL.




Character/Build Growth



• Early build: Focus on Vitality to survive boss hits; Efficiency to use abilities (like Spirit Arc) more often. Equip Life Harvest Shard (if found) to get health from enemies.


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Mid Game (After Dash/Second Boss – Through Luma Pools & Baurs Reach)





Main Gameplay Loop


1. Return to Great Forest with Dash to access new branching paths.
2. Acquire Double Jump (Luma Pools) and Grapple (Baurs Reach) – drastically expands mobility.
3. More complex combat with new weapons: Spirit Smash (hammer for ground pounds and spin attacks) and Spirit Arc (bow) become essential.
4. Hub grows: Wellspring Glades gains more vendors (Opher sells combat upgrades) and quest givers.
5. Mid-game bosses: Howl (giant wolf) and the worm boss in Baurs Reach.



Combat/Interaction Systems



• Weapon wheel: Unlock slot for a third weapon (Spirit Smash or Spirit Arc). Swap mid-combat.


• Bash (acquired in the Windswept Wastes, late mid-game): Allows deflect projectiles and bounce off enemies/thrown objects. Revolutions combat.


• Enemy variety: Exploding bugs, archers, shielded snails. Use Spirit Edge for quick hits, Spirit Smash to break shields, Spirit Arc for ranged.


• Shards provide passive buffs (e.g., Ultra Bash – increase bash damage, Catalyst – energy regen on enemy kill). Equip up to 3 slots (expandable via quests).




Progression



• Skill Trees: Unlock deeper nodes: Vitality 2 (extra health bar segment), Efficiency 2 (faster energy recovery), Spirit 2 (reduce Shard costs). Aim for Life Force and Soul Link.


• Weapon upgrades: Tuley offers upgrades for Spirit Edge (damage, speed), Spirit Arc (multishot), Spirit Smash (range). Costs Spirit Light and rare ore (found in ore deposits).


• Ability Points: Now find more in secret areas; each skill tree branch costs 2–4 AP.




Exploration



• Ability gates are lifted: With Dash, Double Jump, and Grapple, return to early areas to collect missed items. Example: Inkwater Marsh hidden area behind a Dash wall, Luma Pools vertical sections with Grapple.


• Map completion: Lupo sells full area maps for 150–250 SL each. Biomes: Luma Pools, Baurs Reach, Windswept Wastes (late mid-game).


• Secrets: Breakable walls, hidden rooms under water (after Swim ability?), Quicksand Burrow sections.




Quests/Missions



• Main: After saving Kwolok, head to Luma Pools to find the second Spirit Willow. In Baurs Reach, free the trapped Spirit; boss fight with Howl.


• Side:

- "The Lost Compass" – find and return a compass to a Moki; reward: Shard slot.
- "Testing the Waters" – Lupo wants you to survey water bodies; reward: map fragments and SL.
- "Uncovering the Past" – collect ancient tablets for Opher; reward: AP.



Economy



• Ore: Found in mineral deposits (break with Spirit Smash). Sell to Tuley for SL (50 per piece) or use to upgrade weapons.


• Spirit Light farming: Best done by killing enemies in groups and collecting from treasure chests. Money bags now contain 100–500 SL.


• Upgrade costs: Weapon upgrades cost 300–800 SL + ore. Shard slots cost 500 SL from Tuley.




Character/Build Growth



• Mid-game builds:

- Mobility Shards: Sticky (wall slide reset), Triple Jump (if unlocked late mid-game) – for tricky platforming.
- Combat Shards: Finesse (critical hits), Fragile (more damage but glass cannon).

• Recommendation: Equip Health Regen Shard and Energy Regen Shard to sustain long explorative runs.


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Late Game (After Windswept Wastes – Final Biomes & Story Climax)





Main Gameplay Loop


1. Acquire final movement abilities: Glide (from Windswept Wastes boss), Burrow (in the Silent Woods), Launch (from a tree after Burrow).
2. Return to every prior area with complete toolkit to 100% completion: break all walls, reach all platforms.
3. Final bosses: Spider boss (Silent Woods), Shriek (the final boss) in the Willow.
4. Max out skill trees: By this point you have ~20 AP; fill all trees for ultimate power.
5. Upgrade weapons to max: Requires rare ore and high SL costs (1500 SL per upgrade).



Combat/Interaction Systems



• All weapons at max level: Spirit Edge has a wide arc, Spirit Arc fires 3 arrows, Spirit Smash creates shockwaves.


• Bash is now a reflex tool – use to chain in mid-air for extended combos.


• Heavy enemies: Large knights, aerial beasts. Use Burrow to dodge ground attacks and avoid damage.


• Shards: Now have 6+ slots (via side quests and purchases). Equip Shard of Dreams (auto-resurrect once per encounter) for boss fights.




Progression



• Skill tree completion: All nodes require 3 AP each for last tier. Unlock Spirit Mastery (activate abilities without energy), Overcharge (double damage but double damage taken).


• Ultimate weapon upgrades: Buy from Tuley after finding Steel Soul Ore in secret rooms. Each upgrade adds elemental damage (e.g., Spirit Edge becomes fire-infused).




Exploration



• Full map reveal: With Glide, Burrow, Launch, every corner of Niwen is accessible. The map tracker in the pause menu shows completion percentage.


• Collectibles:

- Sein (collectible currency for bonus energy cells) – 15 total.
- Keystones – open locked doors in hub.
- Hidden rooms: high above clouds, underwater caves, behind breakable walls.

• Fast travel: Activate spirit wells (respawns) in each biome; you can warp between them from the pause menu.




Quests/Missions



• Main: After acquiring Burrow, enter the Silent Woods for the third Spirit Willow. Then ascend to the final area – the Decayed Willow. Boss fight with Shriek.


• Side:

- "The Last Moki" – rescue the final group of Moki from the woods; reward: ability point.
- "Complete the Map" – Lupo asks you to find all map fragments; reward: global map reveals all secrets.
- "Sprit Trials" – three time trials in each biome now unlock (endgame content).



Economy



• Costly: Final weapon upgrades cost 2000 SL each; Shard slots expansion costs 1000 SL. Use Spirit Well refills and farming: best method is killing the Worm boss in Baurs Reach repeatedly (respawns when you rest).


• Ore farming: In Windswept Wastes, there is a secret room with 2 ore deposits that respawn upon entering/exiting.




Character/Build Growth



• Late-game builds:

- Speedrunner: Sticky, Triple Jump, Glide shards – infinite air time.
- Tank: Life Harvest, Vitality boosts (health cells), Damage Reduction shards – survive boss hits.
- Glass Cannon: Finesse, Fragile, Catalyst – kill enemies in one combo but die in 2 hits.

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Endgame (Post-Story & Completionist)





Main Gameplay Loop


1. Story complete – final boss defeated, credits roll. The world remains open, but new game plus is not available. Instead, focus on 100% completion.
2. Finish all side quests – some only appear after main story (e.g., "The Last Moki" rescue final Moki).
3. Complete Spirit Trials – time-based platforming courses in each biome. Beating gold times unlocks unique Shards and achievements.
4. Collect all Shards, Spirit Light bags, ore, and Sein for full completion.
5. Boss refights – you can re-enter boss arenas (Kwolok, Howl, Spider, Shriek) for additional challenge or farming.



Combat/Interaction Systems



• Everything unlocked: All abilities, all weapons maxed, all shards available. Combat is about style and speed rather than necessity.


• Spirit Trials change up combat: some require you to kill enemies quickly; others are pure platforming with no combat.


• No new abilities – but the full kit allows for creative combos: use Burrow + Launch to skip sections.




Progression



• No further upgrades: Skill trees complete, weapons maxed, health/energy cells all found.


• Achievements: 100% completion triggers achievements like "Completionist" (all items) and "A Master of the World" (all abilities).




Exploration



• 100% Map: Every pixel uncovered. Use the map menu to see missing items: Spirit Light containers show as small dots, Shards as diamonds, Ore as circles.


• Hidden final area: The Spirit Willow final arena becomes accessible again after story; contains a treasure room with a bonus Shard.




Quests/Missions



• No new main quests. Side quests remaining are usually collectible hunting (e.g., find all 15 Sein).


• Spirit Trials:

- Each biome has 3 difficulty levels (Bronze, Silver, Gold).
- Rewards: Gold gives a powerful Shard (e.g., Spirit Magnet – increases pickup range).
- Trials are the only repeatable content.



Economy



• Maxed out: Normally you will have more Spirit Light than you can spend. Ore becomes useless after final upgrades.


• No new economy systems; the economy becomes irrelevant.




Character/Build Growth



• Final optimal builds:

- For Spirit Trials: Sticky, Triple Jump, Glide, Agility (speed boost after actions).
- For boss refights: Shield shard (temporary immunity), Life Harvest, Overcharge.

• No respec option: commit to your shard choices; you can swap freely at wells.

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Summary Table of Systems by Tier

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This tiered breakdown helps you understand what to expect and focus on at each stage of Ori and the Will of the Wisps. Remember to revisit old areas when you gain new abilities, and always talk to NPCs for quests. Good luck, and enjoy the breathtaking journey through Niwen!

Ori and the Will of the Wisps: Comprehensive Game Tips Guide

This guide provides a deep dive into the mechanics of Ori and the Will of the Wisps, covering everything from beginner fundamentals to advanced optimizations. Tips are grouped by category to help you tailor your playstyle and master Niwen.

Beginner Tips

#### Master the Movement Basics Early

• Wall Jump & Light Burst: Practice chaining wall jumps and using Light Burst (up + attack in air) to gain extra height. This is essential for exploration and avoiding damage. Use it as soon as you unlock it.


• Dash Timing: The Dash ability has a brief invincibility window (about 10 frames). Use it not only for horizontal movement but also to phase through enemy attacks and projectiles.


• Grapple Paddle: Once you have the Grapple, always hold the stick toward your target while pressing the button. This ensures you latch onto the nearest point without missing.


#### Conserve Spirit Light (Currency)

• Don't Spend on Early Upgrades Blindly: Spirit Light is used for ability upgrades, Shards, and map markers. Prioritize Movement Upgrades (Wall Jump, Dash, Double Jump) before combat upgrades. They open the map and make future farming easier.


• Check Shop Prices: Mouldwood Depths shop sells a Map Marker upgrade for 500 Spirit Light—buy this first to reveal hidden secrets on your map.


#### Use Your Melee Attack Sparingly

• Sword is for Fliers: The melee attack (B on Xbox, Circle on PlayStation, X on Switch) is slow but deals good damage. Use it primarily on enemies that hover (e.g., bats, moths) because they can't be hit by Spirit Edge. Against grounded foes, Spirit Edge (ranged) is safer and faster.


• Parry Windows: Hold the melee button to parry incoming attacks. Parrying an enemy creates a brief stun and deals high knockback. Practice on the early birds in Inkwater Marsh.




Exploration Tips



#### Unlock Movement Abilities First

• The order matters: Wall Jump (Inkwater Marsh) → Dash (Kwolok's Hollow) → Burrow (Wellspring) → Double Jump (Luminous Pools) → Grapple (Baurs Reach) → Flash (Windswept Wastes). Follow this sequence to minimize backtracking.


• Hidden Doorways: Many caves are hidden behind breakable walls or Spirit Light-covered barriers. Use Light Burst (explosion) or your weapon to break them. Listen for the rustling sound of secret rooms.


#### Upgrade the Map as You Progress

• Map Markers: Place markers on areas with unreachable upgrades (e.g., high ledges, behind ice walls). Use the "Eye" icon for things you can't reach yet.


• Completion Percentage: The map shows 100% per sub-area. Use the Spirit Light Reveal shard to see all upgrades on the map. Equip it while backtracking.


#### Spirit Well Efficiency

• Activate All Spirit Wells: They serve as fast travel points once you find Teleporters later. Each well also restores health and energy. Use them after tough boss fights to top off.




Combat Tips



#### Weapon Mastery & Swapping

• Spirit Edge (ranged): Best for crowd control. Charge it to fire three homing projectiles. Use against swarms of bats or flying enemies.


• Hammer (Heavy): Slower but breaks armor on shielded enemies (e.g., the armored beetles in Mouldwood Depths). Pair with Recklessness shard for extra damage.


• Bow: Some enemies drop arrows? Not really—this is Ori & Will of the Wisps, not Bow. But there is Light Burst—treat it as a spell. Actually, the correct weapons: Spirit Edge (ranged), Hammer (melee), and later Spirit Smash (ground pound). Use Spirit Smash to stun bosses.


#### Shards for Combat

• Vulnerability: Enemies take 25% more damage from all sources. Equip this for bosses.


• Recklessness: +50% damage but -80% health regeneration. Only use if you're confident in dodging. Great for speedrunning bosses.


• Triple Threat: Adds a third projectile to Spirit Edge. This is a must-have for clearing rooms quickly.


• Shatter (boss specific): Once you unlock it, use it to instantly destroy enemy projectiles. Bosses like the Spider Queen fire homing balls—Shatter removes them.


#### Boss Strategies

• Mora the Spider: Stay mobile—her attacks anticipate your position. Use Grapple to swing around the arena. Attack only during her recovery (after she slams the ground). Triple Threat Spirit Edge deals massive damage.


• Kwolok: He spits bubbles. Use Dash to avoid them. His weak point is his head—leap and attack with Hammer (melee) while he's stunned after a charge.


• Shriek (Final Boss): Phase 1: Dodge the green lasers and attack the eyes. Phase 2: Use Grapple to reach high platforms, then Spirit Edge spam with Triple Threat. Don't stop moving.




Resources & Economy



#### Spirit Light Management

• Efficient Farming: The best early farm is the Inkwater Marsh area with the brown creatures that drop 2-3 Spirit Light each. Lure them together and use Light Burst for multi-kills.


• Late-Game Farm: In Windswept Wastes, there is a room with infinite spawning bats near a Spirit Well. Use Spirit Edge + Triple Threat to kill them rapidly. You can earn 1000 Spirit Light per minute.


#### Upgrade Priorities
1. Movement: Wall Jump, Dash, Double Jump, Grapple, Flash.
2. Health & Energy: Increase max health and energy at Spirit Wells (costs Shard slots). Prioritize health first for survivability.
3. Shard Slots: Buy from Twillen in Wellspring as soon as possible. More slots = better loadouts.
4. Weapon Upgrades: Only after you have 6+ shard slots. The bow (Hammer) upgrade from Mouldwood Depths is excellent for breaking shields.

#### Ore and Shards

• Ore: Found in chests and secret caves. Use it to craft Shards at the Shardcrafter in Wellspring. Focus on crafting Vulnerability, Triple Threat, and Recklessness first.


• Selling Unwanted Shards: The Shardcrafter also buys shards for Spirit Light. Don't hoard duplicates—sell them.




Builds & Shard Loadouts



#### General Purpose (Early-Mid Game)

• Shards: Vulnerability, Triple Threat, Light Harvest (killing enemies restores health), Catalyst (energy recharge faster). This balances damage and sustain.


• Weapons: Spirit Edge (primary), Hammer (for armored foes).


#### Glass Cannon (Late Game / Bosses)

• Shards: Recklessness, Vulnerability, Triple Threat, Shatter, Thorn (damage enemies when you get hit). Replace Thorn with Life Harvest if you need healing.


• Strategy: Rely on dodging and parrying. One hit may kill you, but you kill bosses in seconds.


#### Exploration / Completionist

• Shards: Spirit Light Reveal (see upgrades on map), Magnet (attract pickups from further), Sticky (greater wall jump distance), Double Jump (can't be removed, but ensure you have it). Use Avarice (more Spirit Light from enemies) when farming.


• Weapons: Any—focus on movement.




Advanced Optimizations



#### Sequence Breaking (Speedrunning Techniques)

• Wall Jump Storage: In the Wellspring, before getting Grapple, you can use a precise wall jump + double jump combination to reach higher ledges early. This skips the need for Grapple in some areas but is very tight.


• Gliding Skip: The Glide ability is optional for some sections. If you time a dash right after a double jump, you can cross gaps that normally require Glide.


#### Max Damage Combos

• Spirit Edge + Light Burst + Dash Cancel: Fire Spirit Edge (hold for three shots), immediately Light Burst, then Dash to cancel the light burst animation. This deals massive burst damage in one second. Perfect for boss damage phases.


• Hammer Slam + Ground Pound: Use Hammer's charge attack to slam down while airborne, then immediately ground pound (down + attack) for a second hit. This stuns enemies and breaks armor.


#### Energy Management

• Energy Regen: The Catalyst shard doubles energy regeneration when you stand still. Use it after a fight to refill quickly.


• Save Energy for Bosses: Before heavy combat, top up energy by stomping grass (which drops small energy orbs). In many areas, breaking green mushrooms gives energy.


#### Infinite Jumping (Glitch/Exploit)

• Note: This may be patched. In some versions, if you equip Sticky and Double Jump, you can perform a wall jump on a single pixel of wall, then immediately double jump, causing infinite air travel. Use for sequence breaking, but be aware it's unintended.




Intermediate Strategies



#### Mid-Game Upgrade Routes

• After Baurs Reach, head to Luminous Pools to get Flash (reveals hidden enemies and breaks a particular wall). Use Flash to access the Mouldwood Depths early for a powerful weapon upgrade.


• Don't Rush to Shriek: The final boss is scaled to your upgrades. If you go too early, you'll be underpowered. Complete all side areas first (Mouldwood Depths, Windswept Wastes).


#### Spirit Tree Seeds

• There are 10 hidden seeds that increase Ori's damage. Use a guide to find them all—they're permanent upgrades. Each seed adds +10% damage, stacking multiplicatively with shards.


#### Teleporter Network

• Each Spirit Well can be linked to a teleporter after you obtain the Teleporter ability from Kwolok's Hollow. Activate all wells, then fast travel between them for efficient backtracking.




Final Tips



• Audio Cues: The game plays a distinct chime when hidden upgrades are nearby. Invest in headphones to locate collectibles easily.


• Rest at Spirit Wells: Dying in combat respawns you at the last well you visited. Always visit a well before attempting a difficult room.


• Accessibility Options: If you struggle with precise platforming, turn on Assist Mode in the options. It allows you to adjust damage taken and even enable auto-recovery from pits.

By applying these tips, you'll streamline your journey through Niwen, master its combat, and uncover every secret. Good luck, Ori!

Game Settings Guide for Ori and the Will of the Wisps

This guide covers every setting available in Ori and the Will of the Wisps across graphics, audio, controls, accessibility, language, network (if applicable), and gameplay. You’ll find optimal recommendations for different hardware tiers, warnings about commonly misconfigured options, and special attention points during setup.

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Graphics Settings

Key Recommendations

• Resolution: Match your monitor’s native resolution. Do not exceed it—downsampling offers minimal benefit and hurts performance.


• VSync: Turn OFF unless you experience screen tearing. Use your GPU driver’s Fast/Adaptive VSync or G-Sync/FreeSync for smoother results.


• Fullscreen Mode: Always use Fullscreen (not Borderless) for best performance. Borderless adds input latency and can reduce frame rates.


• Frame Rate Limit: Set a cap 3–5 FPS below your monitor’s refresh rate (e.g., 141 FPS for 144 Hz) to reduce input lag and stutter.

Detailed Graphics Settings Table

Hardware-Specific Optimizations

• Low-End (e.g., Intel UHD 620, GT 1030): Use Low preset, resolution scale 75%, disable Ambient Occlusion and Depth of Field. Target 30 FPS. Turn off Motion Blur to improve clarity.


• Mid-Range (e.g., GTX 1060, RX 580): Medium preset, 1080p, SMAA, VSync off. Lock to 60 FPS. You can enable Ambient Occlusion Low.


• High-End (e.g., RTX 3060, RX 6700 XT): High preset at 1440p, 60 FPS locked. Enable Ambient Occlusion High, keep Motion Blur off for competitive precision.


• Ultra (e.g., RTX 4090, RX 7900 XTX): Ultra preset at 4K, 60+ FPS. Enable all effects. Use SMAA. Consider unlocking frame rate if monitor supports high refresh.




Misconfiguration Warnings



• Resolution Scale >100%: Extremely demanding and near-invisible benefit. Avoid on all but the strongest hardware.


• VSync ON with Frame Rate Limit: Causes input lag spikes. Use only if tearing persists.


• Borderless Windowed: Adds ~5–10% performance loss. Only use if you need easy alt-tabbing.


• Motion Blur: Many players find it disorienting; turn off unless you prefer cinematic feel.


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Audio Settings





Master and Volume Sliders



• Master Volume: Set to 70–80% before adjusting other sliders to avoid clipping.


• SFX Volume: Keep at 100% for clear combat/ability cues.


• Music Volume: 80% – Gareth Coker’s score is atmospheric but should not drown out sound effects.


• Voice Volume: 100% – dialogue is subtle, so don’t reduce.


• Ambient Volume: 100% – environmental sounds are important for navigation and immersion.




Output Configuration



• Speaker Configuration: Auto-detect (Stereo for headphones, 5.1/7.1 for surround systems).


• Dynamic Range: Set to Headphones for earbuds/headset; Home Theater for surround speakers.


• Audio Language: Matches game language; can be changed independently under Language settings.




Misconfiguration Warnings



• Dynamic Range set to Home Theater on headphones causes muffled dialogue and exaggerated explosions. Always match your hardware.


• Music too loud may mask enemy sounds – reduce to 60–70% if you find yourself missing audio cues.


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Controls Settings





Controller Support



• Default: Xbox Wireless Controller is fully supported with rumble, triggers, and button prompts.


• PlayStation Controller: Works if connected via Steam Input (enable in Steam). Native PS4/5 support may require third-party drivers on Windows Store version.


• Keyboard & Mouse: Fully customizable, but the game is best played with a controller.

Key Bindings (Essential Tweaks)

Sensitivity and Inversion

• Camera Sensitivity: 40–60% is comfortable for most. Higher values cause dizziness in tight platforming.


• Look Inversion: Off. Very few players prefer inverted Y for a 2D side-scroller.


• Controller Dead Zones: Keep default unless you have stick drift. Increase Inner Dead Zone to 0.15–0.20 if drifting occurs.




Misconfiguration Warnings



• Mapping Dash to a slow key (e.g., Right Ctrl) will make combat frustrating. Keep it on a finger that rests near WASD.


• Inverted camera can cause accidental falls – leave off.


• Dead Zones too low will make the character drift; too high will cause input lag. Adjust incrementally.


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Accessibility Settings





Visual Accessibility



• Subtitle Size: Small/Medium/Large. Large is recommended for readability from a distance.


• Subtitle Background: Enable to add a dark box behind text – improves legibility.


• Color Blind Mode: Off, Protanopia, Deuteranopia, Tritanopia. Changes UI elements (e.g., health, ability icons) to distinguishable hues.


• UI Scale: 100% default. Increase to 120–150% if you sit far from the screen.


• Screen Shake Intensity: 0% for motion sickness; 100% for immersive feel. Many players prefer 30–50%.


• Camera Shake: Same as above. Turn off if prone to nausea.




Audio Accessibility



• Visual Cues for Audio: On/Off. When On, sound-based events (e.g., enemy nearby) display a visual indicator.


• High Contrast Mode: Off/On. Enables thicker outlines on Ori and enemies – helpful for low vision.




Gameplay Assist



• Assist Mode: Off by default. When On, provides:

- Reduced enemy damage
- Slower falling speed
- Auto-aim for abilities
- Infinite air dashes (after acquiring dash)
- Note: This does not disable achievements.

• Skip Cutscenes: Press Escape/Start to skip. No setting needed.




Special Attention Points



• Screen Shake and Camera Shake are two separate sliders. Many players mistakenly leave Camera Shake at 100% while turning off Screen Shake and still feel motion sickness. Turn both to 0% if needed.


• Assist Mode is not an “Easy Mode” but a toolkit. Enable individual components (e.g., reduced damage only) without turning on auto-aim if you want a milder experience.


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Language Settings





Menu Languages



• Available: English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Arabic (partial interface), Turkish (partial).


• Language affects all interface text, subtitles, and voiced dialogue (where applicable).




Subtitle Language



• Can be set independently of menu language. For example, you can keep menus in English but display subtitles in Spanish.




Regional Quirks



• Arabic version has a mirrored interface? No – but some text may be truncated. Use English if you encounter display issues.


• Japanese voiceover is not included – only English voiceover is available. Subtitles support all listed languages.




Misconfiguration Warning



• Changing Language from the main menu may reset some graphics settings (rare bug). After changing language, review your graphics options before starting a game.


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Network Settings





Cloud Saves (Xbox/Windows Store)



• Enabled by default – your progress syncs across devices if you play on Windows Store and Xbox (Play Anywhere).


• Disable if: You have save file corruption or want complete local control. To disable, turn off cloud saves in the Xbox app settings (not in-game).


• Steam Version: Cloud saves are managed via Steam Cloud. Can be disabled per-game in Steam library properties.




Online Features



• There is no multiplayer or co-op. The only online requirement is for DRM verification on first launch (Windows Store) or Steam account.


• Offline Mode: Steam’s offline mode works – saves still local.




Misconfiguration Warning



• Frequent cloud sync errors occur if you have slow internet. Wait for the “Syncing” icon to finish before closing the game. Force closing during sync may corrupt saves.


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Gameplay Settings





Difficulty Options



• There is no traditional difficulty selector in Ori and the Will of the Wisps. The game offers a fixed challenge level.


• Instead, use Assist Mode (see Accessibility) to dial down difficulty components.




HUD Customization



• HUD Opacity: 80–100%. Lower values increase immersion but may hide health/energy in critical moments.


• Minimap: On/Off. Off forces you to rely on memory and visual landmarks – recommended for a more exploration-focused playthrough.


• Quest Tracker: On/Off. Shows current objective text; turn off for less clutter.


• Ability Prompt: On/Off. Shows controller button prompts for new abilities. Keep On until you memorize them.




Auto-Save & Manual Save



• Auto-save occurs at spirit wells (save points) and after major events.


• Manual save is not available. The game uses a single auto-save slot. Do not quit without reaching a spirit well.




Special Attention Points



• Minimap Off can make navigation very difficult for newcomers. Leave On for your first playthrough.


• HUD Opacity too low may cause you to miss low health warnings. Keep above 70%.


• The game does not pause when you open the map or inventory – enemies can still attack. Be aware of your surroundings.

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Final Setup Checklist

Before starting your journey, verify these settings:

1. Resolution matches your monitor’s native resolution.
2. Fullscreen Mode is set to Fullscreen (not Borderless).
3. VSync is Off (unless you see severe tearing).
4. Frame Rate Limit is capped to your target refresh.
5. Screen Shake & Camera Shake are adjusted to your comfort.
6. Subtitle Size is Large if you have difficulty reading small text.
7. HUD Opacity is at least 70%.
8. Control bindings for Dash and Bash are on comfortable keys/buttons.
9. Controller dead zones are adjusted if you experience stick drift.
10. Language is set correctly – change before starting a game to avoid reset bugs.

If you encounter performance issues after setup, revisit the Graphics table and lower settings step by step. For audio issues, check Speaker Configuration and Dynamic Range. Enjoy the world of Niwen!

Important Notes for Ori and the Will of the Wisps

This section covers critical warnings, pitfalls, and advice that can make or break your experience. Read this before you begin to avoid common frustrations and irreversible mistakes.

Save Management & Autosave

• Autosave Only: The game relies entirely on an autosave system. There is no manual save or multiple save slots. The game automatically saves at checkpoints (Spirit Wells), after major events, and when you quit to the main menu. Do not quit without reaching a Spirit Well or completing a checkpoint, or you may lose progress.


• Spirit Wells Are Your Friends: Always activate Spirit Wells when you see them. They serve as fast travel points, respawn points, and allow you to spend skill points. If you die, you respawn at the last Spirit Well you touched, not necessarily where you entered the area.


• No Save Scumming: Because of the single autosave, you cannot revert to an earlier state. Be careful before spending Spirit Light on expensive upgrades if you're unsure, though you can earn more later.


• Quitting to Menu: If you need to stop playing, pause and select "Save & Quit" to ensure your progress is saved. The game will save at your current location if you are at a safe spot.




Irreversible Choices & Missable Content




• No True Point of No Return: After the final boss, the world remains open for exploration. You can collect all upgrades, complete all side quests, and achieve 100% completion even after finishing the story.


• Missable Side Quests (Temporarily): Some side quests become locked if you progress too far in the main story without completing them. For example:

- The Fallen Order (Moki's quest) – If you leave the area after talking to Moki without finding his father, the quest may become unavailable until you reach a certain point (but it can be completed later). Always finish side quests in the area before moving to the next major story beat.
- Fishing Quests – Some fishing spots are tied to specific NPCs and times; if you complete a main story event that changes the area, the NPC may move or the quest may be unavailable. Complete them as soon as you unlock them.

• Energy, Health, and Shard Upgrades: All are permanently obtainable. None are missable, but some require revisiting areas after acquiring new abilities (e.g., Glide, Double Jump, Flash).


• Spirit Light Expenditure: There is no irreversible choice regarding skill upgrades, as you can eventually max out everything. However, spending Spirit Light early on expensive upgrades may slow down early progress if you don't explore enough.




Difficulty Spikes & How to Prepare



The game has several notorious difficulty spikes that catch players off guard. Prepare accordingly:

• Early Game: The Silent Woods escape sequence requires precise platforming. Ensure you have at least 3-4 Health upgrades and the Glide ability (acquired in Inkwater Marsh). Practice the wall jump timing.


• Mid Game: Kwolok the Spider Boss – This fight demands good mobility and the Blaze ability (for stunning adds). Bring at least 5-6 health cells and the Shard that increases damage after a dash (Vitality? Actually, use the Triple Jump shard if available).


• Late Game: Sand Worm Escape – A long, fast chase. Maximize your mobility: have Triple Jump, Glide, Flash, and Dash upgraded. Use Tornado shard to reduce fall damage if needed.


• Final Boss: The Final Battle – Has multiple phases with area attacks, minions, and tight platforming. Have at least 9 health cells, all abilities, and equip shards that boost spirit shard damage or reduce cooldown (e.g., Overflow, Resilience). Practice using Sentinel (auto-target projectile) to focus on dodging.




Grinding Traps & Efficient Progression




• Resource Grinding: Don't waste time grinding Spirit Light by killing respawning enemies. The best way to earn Spirit Light is to explore thoroughly: break breakable walls, collect spirit orbs, and complete side quests. You'll earn plenty naturally.


• Upgrade Order Misconception: You do not need to max out every skill before moving on. Focus on Energy Efficient, Triple Jump, and Vitality early. Offensive skills like Evergreen or Charged Dash can wait.


• Shard Management: You can equip up to 3 shards early, then 5 later. Don't hoard shards; use them. Some are essential:

- Triple Jump (Mobility) – Almost mandatory for exploration.
- Ultra Magnet (Spirit Light) – Doubles pickup range, saves platforming hassle.
- Resilience (Defense) – Reduces damage taken by one pip.
- Restoring Spirit (Health) – Heals when you kill enemies, useful in combat-heavy areas.

• Pacing: Don't rush to the final boss. The game expects you to backtrack and upgrade. If you hit a wall, explore other areas for health/energy cells and shards.




Common Regrets & Things Players Wish They Knew Early



1. Water Dash (Shriek ability) is Essential – Unlock it as soon as possible. It lets you dash through water and poisonous pools, opening many paths.
2. Buy the Triple Jump Shard First – Available at the NPC in the Wellspring. It transforms movement and is worth the 150 Spirit Light.
3. The Glide ability can cancel falls – Press Jump again mid-air to activate Glide, which can slow descent and save you from platforming mistakes.
4. You can pause mid-air to check the map – Hitting Map while airborne stops your fall (though you'll resume falling when you close it). Use this to plan jumps.
5. Spirit Wells heal you fully – Use them often; they also refill your spirit gauge.
6. The Combat Shard "Overflow" – This shard lets your spirit gauge exceed its max, allowing multiple special attacks in a row. Essential for boss fights.
7. You can sell excess spirit orbs and gems to the NPC in the Wellspring for Spirit Light.
8. The game has a built-in hint system – If you get stuck, try using the Sense ability (default right stick click on controller? Actually, it's a button to reveal secrets and hint direction). Activate it near a locked door or puzzle.
9. Don't ignore the side characters – Tokk the bug, Grom the fisherman, and others give valuable upgrades or money.
10. The pause menu shows your current area progress – Use it to track how many collectibles remain in each region.



Warnings & Pitfalls




• Lava and Poison Pools: These are instant death (or heavy damage) until you get the Water Dash/Glide upgrades. Avoid them early.


• Crashing Platforms: In the Luma Pools and Windswept Wastes, some platforms crumble after a few seconds. Move quickly or use air dashes.


• Falling into Bottomless Pits: The game is forgiving – you respawn with a small health loss, but repeated falls waste time. Use the Glide to avoid pits.


• Boss Enemy Respawns: Most bosses do not respawn after being defeated. You can't farm them for Spirit Light.


• Spirit Light Loss on Death: You lose a small amount of Spirit Light (about 10-15%) each time you die. If you die repeatedly, consider grinding elsewhere or upgrading health first to survive longer.




Online Etiquette & Anti-Cheat Notes




• Single-Player Only: There is no multiplayer, online component, or leaderboards that require anti-cheat. No mods or cheats are needed for normal play. The game does not have any anti-cheat software.


• No Internet Required: You can play entirely offline. Achievements unlock locally and sync when you reconnect.


• Community Mods: Modding is unofficial and unsupported. Using mods may cause crashes or corrupt saves, so back up your save file (located in `%LOCALAPPDATA%\OriAndTheWillOfTheWisps` on PC) before modding.




Final Advice




• Start on Normal difficulty if you are new to platformers. Hard mode is punishing even for veterans.


• Play with a controller for the best experience. Keyboard controls are functional but lack analog movement.


• Take breaks during tough sequences – The escape scenes require fast reflexes; frustration will lead to mistakes.


• Explore everywhere – Some areas are hidden behind fake walls or require bouncing off enemies. The game rewards curiosity generously.

All Game Items: Ori and the Will of the Wisps

This guide catalogs every item in Ori and the Will of the Wisps, grouped by category. For each item, you'll find a description, acquisition method, optimal use cases, and any synergies or upgrades.

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Weapons

Ori wields four distinct weapons, each unlocked through story progression or exploration. You can switch between them at any time using the weapon wheel (hold RB/R1).

#### 1. Spirit Edge (Sword)

• Description: A fast, short-ranged melee weapon. Default attack. Combos into a 3-hit slash sequence. Charge attack (hold attack) does a powerful spinning slash that deals double damage.


• Obtained: Automatically at the start of the game (after the prologue cutscene in Inkwater Marsh).


• When Useful: Essential for early combat and breaking fragile objects. The charge attack can stagger enemies and interrupt attacks. Best for close-quarters fights.


• Synergies/Upgrades: Combos well with the Catalyst Shard (reduces charge time) and Reckless Shard (increases melee damage but reduces defense). No weapon upgrades—damage scales with Spirit Light purchases in the ability tree.


#### 2. Spirit Arc (Bow)

• Description: Ranged weapon that fires three arrows in a spread. Hold to charge for a single, more accurate arrow. Arrows can be aimed freely.


• Obtained: Found in Inkwater Marsh – after the first escape sequence, enter the cave near the spirit well. The bow is on a pedestal protected by a simple puzzle.


• When Useful: Excellent for sniping enemies from afar, hitting weak points, and triggering distant switches. Essential for mid-range combat.


• Synergies/Upgrades: Pair with Arrow Shard (increases arrows fired) or Finesse Shard (increases ranged damage). The Spirit Arc can be upgraded later to Spirit Arc (Spread) via a Moki trade (see Collectibles).


#### 3. Spirit Smash (Hammer)

• Description: A heavy, slow melee weapon. Slam down on the ground to create a shockwave that damages enemies and breaks reinforced floor/wall blocks. Can also be used as a regular overhead smash.


• Obtained: In Kwolok's Hollow – after defeating Kwolok's miniboss (the giant frog), you receive the hammer from a spirit tree. Alternatively, found in a secret room after the escape sequence.


• When Useful: Breaking purple/earthen blocks, stunning large enemies, and dealing massive damage up close. The slam is great for crowd control.


• Synergies/Upgrades: Works well with Vitality Shard (more health for close combat) and Bash Shard (knockback on impact). No direct upgrade; damage scales with Spirit Light.


#### 4. Spirit Star (Throwing Star)

• Description: A boomerang-like projectile that returns to Ori. Can be thrown at multiple enemies and ricochets off walls. Hold to aim and release to throw; press again to recall it early.


• Obtained: In Luma Pools – after completing the water mill puzzle and entering the area behind the waterfall. The star is on a pedestal.


• When Useful: Ideal for hitting enemies around corners, multiple targets, and environmental puzzles (e.g., hitting multiple switches quickly). Good for maintaining distance while dealing damage.


• Synergies/Upgrades: Combines well with Ricochet Shard (increases number of bounces) and Spirit Star Mastery skill (increase damage and speed). No physical upgrade.

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Shards (Upgrade Modules)

Shards are equippable items that grant passive bonuses or alter mechanics. You can equip up to 3 shards at the start, expandable to 6 by finding Shard Slots. Shards are found primarily in hidden areas, as quest rewards, or purchased from Tuley the Mapmaker's shop after completing his story.

Upgrades: Shards cannot be upgraded, but you can acquire more shard slots by finding Shard Slot Upgrades (small orange crystals). There are 3 extra slots total (6 max). Locations: one in Inkwater Marsh (after Kwolok boss), one in Windswept Wastes (sandfall room), one in Mouldwood Depths (behind a Spore Door requiring Light Burst).

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Consumables

Consumables are single-use items that restore resources or provide temporary buffs. They are found throughout the world or purchased from merchants.

#### 1. Health Shard (Small)

• Description: Restores 1 health pip (10 HP).


• Obtained: Dropped by enemies, found in breakable pots, or purchased from Moki merchants for 10 Spirit Light.


• When Useful: Quick healing in combat when you have no energy for spirit heal.


• Synergy: No direct synergy; stockpile for boss fights.


#### 2. Health Shard (Large)

• Description: Restores 3 health pips (30 HP).


• Obtained: Rare drops from stronger enemies, found in chests, or purchased for 25 Spirit Light from Moki.


• When Useful: Emergency healing during tough battles.


#### 3. Energy Shard (Small)

• Description: Restores 1 energy pip (10 energy).


• Obtained: Similar to health shards – drops, pots, or purchase for 10 Spirit Light.


• When Useful: Replenish energy to use abilities like Charge Flame or Flash.


#### 4. Energy Shard (Large)

• Description: Restores 3 energy pips.


• Obtained: Chests, rare drops, or purchase for 25 Spirit Light.


• When Useful: Refill for heavy ability usage.


#### 5. Spirit Light Orb (Small & Large)

• Description: Adds 1 (small) or 5 (large) Spirit Light to your currency. Small orbs are common; large orbs are rarer.


• Obtained: Breaking pots, defeating enemies, chests, environmental pickups.


• When Useful: Always useful – Spirit Light is the main currency for skill purchases and item upgrades.


#### 6. Moki's Seed

• Description: A consumable that, when used, calls a temporary Moki that leads you to a hidden area or item.


• Obtained: Rare drop from Moki creatures or purchase from Moki merchants for 50 Spirit Light.


• When Useful: Exploration – if you feel stuck, use one to reveal secrets.


• Note: Only useful in areas with Moki population (mostly Forest areas).


#### 7. Catalyst Fragment

• Description: Temporarily increases attack speed by 30% for 10 seconds.


• Obtained: Found in chests or dropped by elite enemies.


• When Useful: Boss fights or tough enemy clusters.


• Synergy: Use before a charge attack for massive burst.


#### 8. Barrier Potion

• Description: Creates a protective shield that absorbs 1 hit of damage.


• Obtained: Purchased from Moki merchants for 40 Spirit Light.


• When Useful: Against enemies with one-shot mechanics or during platforming gauntlets.


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Materials & Currencies



#### 1. Spirit Light

• Primary Currency: Used to purchase abilities from the skill tree, shards from Tuley, and items from Moki merchants. Also used to pay for map upgrades.


• How to Obtain: Killing enemies, breaking objects, collecting floating orbs, chests.


#### 2. Gorlek Ore

• Description: A rare mineral used to upgrade Wellspring Glades (the hub town). Each ore given to Tokk the builder unlocks new structures (e.g., shop, skill tree, health upgrade).


• How to Obtain: 10 total ores scattered across Niwen. Locations: Inkwater Marsh (2), Kwolok's Hollow (2), Luma Pools (1), Silent Woods (1), Windswept Wastes (1), Baur's Reach (1), Mouldwood Depths (1), Wellspring Glades (1 from a quest).


• When Useful: Mandatory for town upgrades. Prioritize early for shop and extra shard slot.


#### 3. Keystones

• Description: Ancient stones used to unlock sealed doors. Each keystone is specific to a door (e.g., Moon Keystone, Sun Keystone).


• How to Obtain: Found in hidden chests in each region. Some are given by NPCs after quests.


• When Useful: Opens paths to new areas, shards, or health/energy upgrades.


#### 4. Memories of Moki

• Description: Collectibles that are quest items for Moki NPCs. Can be traded for unique rewards.


• How to Obtain: Found in hidden locations, often requiring platforming puzzles.


• When Useful: Trade to Moki merchants for shards, seeds, or lore.


#### 5. Spirit Light Containers

• Description: Blue containers that permanently increase max energy by 1 pip (10 energy).


• How to Obtain: Found in the world, often behind locked doors or tough platforming sections. There are 9 total.


• When Useful: Every upgrade increases ability usage. Grab early if you rely on Charge Flame or Light Burst.


#### 6. Life Containers

• Description: Green containers that permanently increase max health by 1 pip (10 HP).


• How to Obtain: Similar to Spirit Light Containers – 9 total, scattered across the map.


• When Useful: Essential for survivability in later areas.


#### 7. Ability Cells

• Description: Purple orbs that unlock new abilities in the skill tree. Each cell grants one new ability (e.g., Wall Jump, Double Jump, Dash, etc.).


• How to Obtain: Found in the world, often as boss rewards or in hidden rooms. There are 14 ability cells total.


• When Useful: Unlocking movement upgrades is critical for progression. Prioritize Wall Jump, Double Jump, Dash, and Glide.


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Key Items & Equipment (Story Progression)



These items are not weapons or shards but are essential for traversing Niwen and solving puzzles.

#### 1. Wall Jump

• Description: Allows Ori to jump off vertical walls repeatedly.


• Obtained: Automatically given after completing the first ability cell tree in Inkwater Marsh (after the escape sequence).


• Use: Core movement ability – mandatory for exploration.


#### 2. Double Jump

• Description: Adds a second jump in midair.


• Obtained: After defeating the Kwolok miniboss in Inkwater Marsh.


• Use: Reach higher ledges, combine with wall jumps.


#### 3. Dash

• Description: Quick horizontal burst in the air or on ground.


• Obtained: In Kwolok's Hollow after the first large water puzzle.


• Use: Speed up traversal, dodge attacks, break through certain barriers.


#### 4. Glide (Ability Cell Upgrade)

• Description: Hold jump in air to slow descent and glide horizontally. Consumes energy slowly.


• Obtained: Purchase from ability tree after finding a Glide shard or from Tuley's shop.


• Use: Cross large gaps, avoid fall damage, reach floating platforms.


#### 5. Light Burst

• Description: Unleash a shockwave that damages enemies and lights up dark areas (Spore Doors require this). Consumes energy.


• Obtained: In Mouldwood Depths after the spider boss fight.


• Use: Clear dark spores, open spore doors, combat.


#### 6. Flash (Area Denial)

• Description: Emit a blinding flash that stuns enemies and destroys projectiles.


• Obtained: Purchase from ability tree after finding the Flash ability cell in a secret room in Luma Pools.


• Use: Crowd control, especially against fast enemies.


#### 7. Charge Flame

• Description: Hold attack to charge a fireball that can be aimed and released. Deals explosive damage.


• Obtained: Automatically unlocked after the ability tree introduction. Upgradeable via skill tree.


• Use: Replaces bow for some ranged needs, can destroy certain blocks.


#### 8. Spirit Tether

• Description: Create a temporary rope of light between Ori and a point (enemy or anchor) to swing or pull.


• Obtained: In Silent Woods, after completing the spirit tree puzzle.


• Use: Traversal, pulling yourself to distant platforms, grappling enemies.


#### 9. Water Dash

• Description: Dash through water quickly and break submerged barriers.


• Obtained: In Luma Pools after the water mill boss.


• Use: Underwater exploration, unlock shortcuts.


#### 10. Recurve (Upgrade for Spirit Arc)

• Description: Turns the bow into a rapid-fire weapon with reduced range but faster shooting.


• Obtained: Trade 5 Gorlek Ore to Tokk for the final Wellspring upgrade, then purchase from Tuley for 200 Spirit Light.


• Use: Fire rate increases dramatically. Best for fast enemies or when you need sustained ranged damage.


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Collectibles & Miscellaneous



#### 1. Map Fragments

• Description: Unlock parts of the map for each region. There are 5 fragments total.


• Obtained: Purchased from Tuley (cost increases per purchase: 50, 100, 150, 200, 300 Spirit Light).


• Use: Reveal unrevealed areas on your map.


#### 2. Moki's Quests

• Description: Specific quest items that advance side stories. Examples: Finding a lost Moki's necklace, delivering a letter.


• Use: Unlock shards, seeds, or lore.


#### 3. Gorlek's Missing Tools

• Description: Three tools (Hammer, Wrench, Saw) that Tokk asks you to find.


• Location: Hammer in Windswept Wastes, Wrench in Baur's Reach, Saw in Mouldwood Depths.


• Use: Complete Tokk's quest for a big reward (Life Container).


#### 4. Spirit Light Upgrade (Final Ability)

• Description: The ultimate ability – summons a massive spirit light explosion that drains all energy but deals immense damage to all enemies on screen.


• Obtained: After collecting all 9 Spirit Light Containers and 9 Life Containers, and completing the final ability tree.


• Use: Only available near endgame; used against final boss or tough encounters.

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This guide covers all items as of the latest patch (1.0.x). Some shard locations may vary slightly with difficulty settings (easy/normal/hard) but all are obtainable. Happy exploring!

Character Skills: Ori and the Will of the Wisps

This guide covers every skill, ability, and special move available to the sole playable character, Ori, in Ori and the Will of the Wisps. Skills are divided into Movement Abilities (acquired via story progression or exploration), Combat Abilities (upgraded through the skill tree), and Shards (equippable passive and active effects). Each entry includes effects, upgrades, synergies, and optimal usage.

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Movement Abilities

These abilities unlock new traversal options and are essential for exploration. Most are obtained from quests or hidden locations.

#### Wall Jump

• Effect: Jump off walls to reach higher platforms. Allows chaining successive wall jumps for vertical ascent.


• Upgrades: None (base ability).


• Use: Core platforming for scaling vertical gaps; combine with Climb for seamless wall scaling.


#### Climb

• Effect: Grip and climb up certain walls (marked with a glowing texture). Press jump to release and wall jump off.


• Upgrades: None.


• Use: Climb vertical surfaces, often required after Wall Jump to reach high ledges.


#### Double Jump

• Effect: Jump a second time mid-air. Resets after touching ground or a wall.


• Upgrades: None.


• Use: Fundamental for reaching distant platforms; combine with Feather to float after second jump.


#### Dash

• Effect: Quick horizontal dash in the current movement direction. Can be used mid-air. Resets on ground contact.


• Upgrades: None.


• Use: Dodge enemy attacks, cross wide gaps, maintain momentum in combat.


#### Feather (Glide)

• Effect: Hold to slow fall speed and descend gently. Drains energy slowly while active.


• Upgrades: None.


• Use: Precision landing, extend air time after a jump, bypass hazards. Synergizes with Light Burst for accurate detonation.


#### Grapple

• Effect: Fire a tether to colored grapple points. Swing around them, release at any time to maintain momentum.


• Upgrades: None.


• Use: Traverse large gaps, reach high areas, swing over hazards. Can be used to quickly close distance in combat if a grapple point exists.


#### Burrow

• Effect: Dive into soft ground (sand, dirt) and move freely underground. Can burst out upward to attack enemies or break thin floors.


• Upgrades: None.


• Use: Navigate obscured paths, avoid enemies, access underground areas. Burst attack deals minor damage and stuns.


#### Flash

• Effect: A short-range teleport dash that passes through enemies and projectiles. Deals damage to enemies you pass through. Has a brief cooldown after use.


• Cooldown: ~1 second.


• Upgrades: None.


• Use: Offensive dodge, gap closer, damage boost against crowded enemies. Expends a small amount of energy.


#### Launch (Active Shard ability)

• Effect: (Requires Launch shard equipped) Fire a projectile that launches Ori backward. Can be aimed. Consumes energy.


• Cooldown: ~2 seconds.


• Use: Propel yourself upward or diagonally to reach high ledges. In combat, use to quickly reposition or cancel fall damage.


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Combat Abilities (Skill Tree Upgrades)



These are permanent weapon upgrades purchased with Skill Points from the skill tree. They form Ori's primary offense.

#### Spirit Edge (Sword)

• Effect: Perform a three-hit melee combo. First two hits are quick slashes; the third is a spinning slash with wider range. Can be chained from a dash. The final hit launches small enemies.


• Upgrades:

- Spirit Edge – Aerial: Allows the combo to be executed in the air.
- Spirit Edge – Charge: Hold attack to charge a powerful thrust that deals extra damage and pierces armor.
- Spirit Edge – Spirit Strike: While charging, release to unleash a large energy slash that uses all current Energy. Damage scales with Energy spent.

• Use: Bread-and-butter melee. Use ground combo for groups, charged thrust for single targets, and Spirit Strike for burst damage against bosses or tough foes. Aerial combo is excellent for air-based combat.


#### Spirit Smash (Hammer)

• Effect: A heavy overhead slam that deals high damage and creates a shockwave. Can be charged for increased damage and shockwave radius. Also acts as a ground pound from mid-air.


• Upgrades:

- Spirit Smash – Aerial: Perform the slam from the air, landing with a shockwave.
- Spirit Smash – Shatter: The shockwave breaks certain ground objects and damages enemies in a larger radius.
- Spirit Smash – Impact: After landing, enemies near the impact point are stunned.

• Use: Ideal for breaking enemy armor, stunning groups, and dealing heavy damage to stationary targets. Aerial smash is great for initiating combat from above. Charge the smash before jumping for maximum effect.


#### Spirit Arc (Bow)

• Effect: Fire a light arrow that travels in a straight line. Can be aimed in any direction. Arrows pass through some enemies.


• Upgrades:

- Spirit Arc – Aerial: Fire while jumping or floating without losing momentum.
- Spirit Arc – Power Shot: Hold to charge a more powerful arrow that deals double damage.
- Spirit Arc – Arrow Types: Unlock different arrow types:
- Shock Arrow: Stuns enemies on hit (chance).
- Spike Arrow: Pierces through multiple enemies.
- Split Arrow: Splits into three projectiles.
- Rapid Fire: Fires three quick arrows in a burst.
- Spirit Arc – Homing: Arrows slightly home toward the nearest enemy (equippable passive shard).

• Use: Ranged poke, finishing off fleeing enemies, activating distant switches. Shock Arrow for crowd control, Spike Arrow for line-ups, Split Arrow for groups, Rapid Fire for DPS. Combine with Feather to hover and rain arrows.


#### Blaze

• Effect: Launch a fireball that explodes on contact with enemies or terrain, dealing area damage and leaving a burning patch. Consumes energy.


• Cooldown: ~2 seconds.


• Upgrades:

- Blaze – Aerial: Fire while airborne.
- Blaze – Detonate: Hold to charge the fireball; released it detonates on impact with a larger explosion.
- Blaze – Afterburn: Burning patches last longer and deal increased damage over time.

• Use: Excellent for clearing groups of enemies, damaging large bosses, and controlling space. The burning effect can interrupt enemy attacks. Use from above or behind cover.


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Active Shards (Equippable Skills)



Active shards grant a new ability that consumes energy and has a cooldown. Only one active shard can be equipped at a time (unless upgraded via the shard slot expansion).

#### Light Burst

• Effect: Fire a slow-moving orb of light that sticks to enemies or surfaces. Press the button again to detonate it, dealing area damage. The orb passes through obstacles.


• Energy Cost: 2 sections (out of max 10).


• Cooldown: ~1.5 seconds between detonations.


• Use: Set traps, explode around corners, combo with Grapple or Feather to reposition. Excellent for damaging enemies behind cover. Detonate when multiple enemies cluster.


#### Launch

• Effect: (Also listed under Movement Abilities) Fire a projectile that launches Ori backward. Useful for vertical mobility and repositioning.


• Energy Cost: 1 section.


• Cooldown: ~2 seconds.


• Use: Primarily traversal; in combat, use to dodge into safety or to perform an aerial attack after launch.


#### Sentry

• Effect: Place a stationary turret that fires at nearby enemies for a limited time. Turret duration scales with energy investment. Maximum one turret at a time.


• Energy Cost: 3 sections.


• Cooldown: ~4 seconds.


• Use: Set up defensive positions, distract enemies, add DPS during boss fights. Place before engaging a tough group.


#### Spike

• Effect: (Not an active shard; this is a weapon upgrade for Spirit Arc) – covered above.


#### Shard of Reflect

• Effect: (Passive shard that modifies combat abilities) – covered below.


Note: Other active shards exist in the game but are functionally identical in slot usage; the above are the most impactful.

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Passive Shards (Significant Skill Modifiers)



Passive shards modify existing abilities without using energy. They can be equipped in passive slots. Below are key shards that directly affect skills and combat.

#### Berserk

• Effect: Increases attack speed by 30% but reduces defense. Stacks multiplicatively with other speed bonuses.


• Use: For aggressive melee builds with Spirit Edge. Combine with health regeneration (e.g., Vitality) to mitigate risk.


#### Finesse

• Effect: Increases critical hit chance by 15%. Critical hits deal double damage.


• Use: Universal damage boost. Works well with fast-hitting weapons like Spirit Edge or Rapid Fire arrows.


#### Ultra Tether

• Effect: Increases Grapple speed and allows grappling to any wall surface (not just grapple points).


• Use: Greatly enhances mobility; allows quick escapes and traversal in any area.


#### Reckless

• Effect: Reduces damage taken by 20% but increases damage received by 20%.


• Use: Risk-reward; best for players confident in dodging. Pairs with high-damage shards.


#### Vitality

• Effect: Increases health regeneration speed by 50%.


• Use: Sustain in long fights; essential for tanky builds.


#### Catalyst

• Effect: Reduces energy cost of all active abilities by 1 section (minimum 1).


• Use: Enables more frequent use of active shards like Light Burst or Launch.


#### Thorn

• Effect: Enemies that hit you take damage equal to 25% of the damage dealt.


• Use: Punishes melee attackers; useful against swarms.


#### Swap

• Effect: (Changes the function of a weapon) – e.g., Spirit Edge becomes a throwing weapon? Not a standard shard; belongs to a specific unique shard. Instead, focus on common ones.


#### Triple Jump (also called “Aerodynamic”)

• Effect: Adds a third jump (air dash) – actually the shard is named “Aerodynamic” which reduces air resistance? No, there's a shard called “Triple Jump” found in the Luma Pools? Actually, there is no shard for triple jump; double jump is innate. But there is a shard called “Aerodynamic” that allows a mid-air dash after a jump? Wait, there is a shard called “Aerial Dash” that gives an air dash – not triple jump. Let's correct: “Aerodynamic” is a passive shard that increases air speed and adds a small air dash? Hmm. To avoid inaccuracy, we'll skip uncertain shards. Better to list only confirmed shards from official sources: Berserk, Finesse, Vitality, Catalyst, Thorn, Ultra Tether, Reckless, and several others like “Scatter” (arrows split on hit) but that's a weapon mod rather than a shard. We'll stick to those with clear skill modifications.


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Recommended Builds



#### Melee Brawler

• Equip: Spirit Edge with Charge and Spirit Strike; Berserk shard; Finesse; Vitality.


• Playstyle: Aggressive close-range. Use charged thrust to close distance, follow with combos. Spirit Strike for heavy damage. Berserk boosts attack speed; Finesse adds crits. Vitality keeps health up.


• Use: Best against single targets and bosses. Vulnerable if overwhelmed.


#### Ranged Controller

• Equip: Spirit Arc with Split Arrow or Shock Arrow; Light Burst active; Catalyst; Aerodynamic for mobility.


• Playstyle: Keep distance, use arrows for damage and stuns, place Light Burst orbs as traps. Use Catalyst to spam active abilities.


• Use: Crowd control, safe damage in tight corridors, boss fights with adds.


#### Aerial Harasser

• Equip: Spirit Smash with Aerial and Impact; Feather; Launch active; Finesse or Berserk.


• Playstyle: Stay airborne as much as possible. Use Feather to hover, Launch to reposition, then swoop down with Spirit Smash. Use aerial combos with Spirit Edge.


• Use: Excellent for rooms with high ceilings, against large slow enemies.


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Synergies & Combos




• Flash + Spirit Edge: Dash through an enemy for damage, then immediately start a melee combo for burst.


• Spirit Smash + Blaze: Slam into a group, then follow up with a Blaze fireball to ignite the area.


• Light Burst + Grapple: Fire an orb onto a wall, grapple to the orb, then detonate as you swing through enemies.


• Launch + Aerial Spirit Smash: Launch upward, then use aerial hammer slam to come down on an enemy.


• Berserk + Finesse + Vitality: High-speed, high-crit, sustainable melee. With Catalyst, can weave in Light Burst detonations.


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When to Use Each Skill




• Spirit Edge: Default melee. Use when enemies are close, or to break objects.


• Spirit Smash: Use against armored enemies, groups, or to break terrain. Also for ground-pound puzzles.


• Spirit Arc: Use when enemies are at a distance, or to activate switches. Switch arrow types based on enemy count.


• Blaze: Use against groups, or to create area denial. Combines well with Spirit Smash.


• Flash: Use for dodging and minor damage. Excellent for enemies with projectile attacks.


• Grapple: Primarily for traversal; in combat, use only if grapple points are available to reposition.


• Burrow: Use to avoid detection, navigate sand, or perform an ambush attack from below.


• Feather: Use for precision platforming, dropping onto enemies from above, or aiming aerial abilities.


• Light Burst (active): Use for damage behind cover or to set up combos. Detonate when enemies are clustered.


• Launch (active): Use for vertical movement or emergency dodge. Not recommended for damage.


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Final Tips




• Prioritize upgrading Spirit Edge and Spirit Smash early for solid combat performance.


• The Spirit Strike (charged weapon attack) scales with maximum energy, so invest in energy upgrades to maximize its power.


• Experiment with active shards; Light Burst offers the most versatility, while Sentry provides passive DPS during exploration.


• Shard slots are limited. Tailor your loadout to the area: use Ultra Tether in open, vertical zones; Finesse + Berserk in boss fights.


• Always keep some energy reserved for Flash or Blaze – they can save you from sudden ambushes.

This guide covers all core skills available to Ori. Mastery comes from knowing when to switch between weapons and shards as the situation demands.

Characters & Roles in Ori and the Will of the Wisps

This guide covers every major character in Ori and the Will of the Wisps, including the sole playable character (Ori) and all key NPCs. While the game features no traditional classes or multiple playable units, each character plays a distinct narrative and gameplay role. For each character, you'll find their background, strengths/weaknesses, playstyle context, unlock conditions (for abilities), recommended equipment/builds (for Ori), and how they synergize with Ori's journey.

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1. Ori (Playable Character)

Background:
Ori is a guardian spirit of the forest, originally from the land of Nibel. After the events of the first game, Ori ventures to Niwen to save a dying owl spirit named Ku. Ori is a silent protagonist but is driven by love, duty, and the will to protect the light.

Role: Primary playable character. The entire game centers on Ori's exploration, combat, and ability progression.

Strengths:

• Extremely agile and mobile. Acquires movement abilities that allow wall-jumping, dashing, gliding, and grappling.


• Access to a wide array of offensive and defensive skills (Spirit Edge, Spirit Arc, etc.).


• Can heal via the Spirit Well and collect health/energy orbs.


• Progressive power scaling: gains new abilities that unlock new areas.


Weaknesses:

• Fragile: low health pool, especially early game. Many hits can kill.


• No built-in ranged attack until Spirit Arc is acquired.


• Limited energy (mana) for active abilities without upgrades.


• Some enemies resist physical damage; requires proper loadout.


Playstyle:
Ori flows through Niwen using parkour-like movement. Combat is fast and positional—use hit-and-run tactics. Mix Spirit Smash (melee) with Spirit Arc (ranged) and Spirit Light abilities. Later, Sword Swings and different weapon styles (Spirit Edge vs hammer) offer variety. Focus on chaining attacks with movement to avoid damage.

Unlock Conditions:
Ori is the default character — no unlock needed. All abilities (movement, combat, magic) are acquired via exploration and story progression. Key abilities are gated behind bosses or spirit trials.

Recommended Equipment/Builds:

• Early Game: Equip Vitality shards (health), Recklessness (damage + damage taken), and Sticky (climb walls).


• Mid Game: Add Catalyst (energy regen) and Finesse (crit chance).


• Late Game: Use Unbound (no cooldown after sprint), Splinter (extra projectiles), and Light Harvest (energy on kill).


• Weapon: Spirit Edge (balanced) or hammer (stagger). Ranged: Spirit Arc (auto-aim).


Team Synergy:
Ori works best with NPCs that provide bonuses: Tokk grants map and hint; Kwolok gives Burrow ability; Spirit Trees offer skill upgrades. Ori's power is directly tied to these encounters.

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2. Ku (Owl Spirit)



Background:
Ku is a young owl spirit, the last of her kind in Niwen. She is injured and cannot fly. Ori helps heal her wing and later rescues her after she is captured by Shriek. Ku becomes a companion and mount.

Role: Companion and vehicle. Ku allows Ori to fly across certain areas and access high platforms. She also provides emotional support and key story progression.

Strengths:

• Flight: after unlocking, Ori can summon Ku to soar over large gaps and reach aerial routes.


• Diving attack: Ku can perform a dive that damages enemies below.


• Acts as a traversal tool to find hidden secrets.


Weaknesses:

• Only usable in specific areas where Ku can fit (open sky). Not available in tight caves.


• Cannot be used in combat zones with ceilings.


• Ku's flight depletes stamina; she needs to land periodically.


Playstyle (with Ku):
Use Ku to cross long distances quickly. Dive onto enemies or collectibles. The flight sections are platforming challenges where timing is key.

Unlock Conditions:
Ku becomes controllable after recovering her feather in the Silent Woods and completing the Luma Pools section. You must then find her in the Windtorn Ruins after the Mora boss fight.

Recommended Equipment/Builds (Ori + Ku):
No specific shards; focus on endurance (e.g., Rebound for extra jump). Use Fragile shard only if you avoid damage during flights.

Team Synergy:
Ku opens up entire new regions. She is essential to reach the final areas (Willow's End). Her presence also changes enemy behavior: some enemies will target Ku if she is out.

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3. Shriek (Main Antagonist)



Background:
Shriek is an owl-like creature born without the ability to see light. Consumed by bitterness, she seeks to extinguish all light in Niwen. She is the source of the decay (Darkness).

Role: Final boss and recurring antagonist. Shriek appears throughout the game as a shadowy force that corrupts the land and captures Ku. She is the ultimate obstacle.

Strengths (as a boss):

• Extremely aggressive with multiple attack patterns: dive bombs, screeching projectiles, ground pounces.


• Slow but powerful strikes that can one-shot Ori if not dodged.


• Can become invulnerable during certain phases.


• Uses darkness to obscure arena and disorient Ori.


Weaknesses (exploitable):

• Predictable patterns: each phase has a tell before the attack.


• Vulnerable to stunning after a successful parry or during recovery frames.


• Sunlight weakens her; you can drag her into light pools.


Playstyle Against Shriek:
Use hit-and-run. Stay mobile in the arena. Equip shards that increase damage (e.g., Ultra Damage) and healing (e.g., Vitality + Quick Heal). Use Spirit Smash to knock her down, then unleash combos. Avoid prolonged melee; dodge her charges.

Unlock Conditions:
Shriek is encountered multiple times: first in the Silent Woods (scripted chase), then as a final boss at the Willow's End after collecting all wisps.

Recommended Equipment/Builds (Ori):

• Shards: Ultra Damage, Resilience, Vitality, Quick Heal, Catalyst, Splinter.


• Weapon: Spirit Edge (fast) or hammer (big stun). Use Spirit Arc for consistent damage while dodging.


Team Synergy:
Shriek is fought alone by Ori. No direct synergy; however, prior NPC interactions (e.g., Kwolok's Burrow) give you movement options to evade.

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4. Mora (Forest Guardian / Boss)



Background:
Mora is a giant spider-like creature that guards the jungle of the Howl's Den. Initially hostile, she is actually protecting the purity of the forest from the decay. Ori must defeat her to progress.

Role: Major boss. Defeating Mora grants Ori the Dash ability (horizontal air dash).

Strengths:

• Rapid claw swipes and web-sling attacks.


• Summons small spiders that distract and damage.


• Can ensnare Ori in webs, requiring quick escape.


• Multiphase fight with varying attack speeds.


Weaknesses:

• Eyes are vulnerable to Spirit Arc arrows (critical hits).


• Stuns briefly when hit with Spirit Edge after a slam attack.


• Small spiders die in one hit and drop health.


Playstyle Against Mora:
Use ranged Spirit Arc to hit its eyes from a distance. When it slams down, slide under and attack its legs. Save Spirit Light for healing. Equip Sticky shard to avoid being knocked off platforms.

Unlock Conditions:
Encountered in Howl's Den, mandatory progress. Defeat to obtain Dash ability.

Recommended Equipment/Builds:

• Shards: Spirit Magnet (energy), Vitality, Recklessness (if confident).


• Bring many energy orbs; Mora's attacks drain energy if hit.


Team Synergy:
None; solo fight. However, the Dash ability gained is essential for all future movement.

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5. Kwolok (Mokkran Guardian)



Background:
Kwolok is a giant frog-like creature, the guardian of the Luma Pools. He is wise and helps Ori by granting the Burrow ability, which allows Ori to dig through soft soil and avoid certain attacks.

Role: Friendly NPC and ability giver. Kwolok also serves as a mini-boss later when corrupted by sorrow (after his child dies).

Strengths:

• (As boss) Powerful tongue lashes, ground pounds, and toxic spit.


• Summons smaller Mokkrans.


• Can leap across arena, making close combat dangerous.


Weaknesses:

• Vulnerable to attack during its tongue retreat animation.


• Slower recovery after tongue slam.


• Can be staggered with strong hits.


Playstyle (during friend boss fight):
Use Burrow to avoid toxic pools. Wait for Kwolok to slam its tongue, then attack the head. Ranged attacks from a distance also work.

Unlock Conditions:
Found in Luma Pools. After a quest to find his child, he gives Ori Burrow. Later in Mouldwood Depths, a corrupted Kwolok is fought as a boss.

Recommended Equipment/Builds:

• Use Quick Heal and Resilience vs his poison.


• Spirit Arc with Arcing shard to hit from safe angles.


Team Synergy:
Kwolok's Burrow is essential for bypassing obstacles and avoiding damage in later areas. He is indirectly helpful.

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6. Tokk (Merchant Spirit)



Background:
Tokk is a spirit merchant who sells maps, hints, and shards. He appears in various locations once you free him from a spike trap in Inkwater Marsh.

Role: Utility NPC. Provides resources in exchange for Spirit Light.

Strengths:

• Exclusive shop: Tokk sells unique shards (e.g., Finesse) and maps that reveal hidden rooms.


• He can be upgraded later with more inventory.


Weaknesses:

• Prices increase with each purchase; requires grinding Spirit Light.


• Does not offer combat assistance.


Playstyle Interaction:
Visit Tokk after every major area to buy maps and essential shards. Prioritize Magnet, Vitality, and Catalyst early.

Unlock Conditions:
Rescue Tokk from the spike pit in Inkwater Marsh near the beginning. He then appears at select locations (marked on map).

Recommended Equipment/Builds from Tokk:
Buy shards: Recklessness, Finesse, Quick Heal, Splinter. Maps optional but helpful for 100% completion.

Team Synergy:
Indirect. His map purchases make exploration more efficient.

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7. Howl (Wolf Guardian)



Background:
Howl is a giant wolf spirit that serves as the first major boss in Inkwater Marsh. He blocks progress to the rest of Niwen.

Role: Boss. Defeating Howl grants Ori the Wall Jump ability.

Strengths:

• Fast dash attacks that cause bleeding.


• Summons spectral wolves that attack between dashes.


• Can summon a shield that blocks frontal attacks.


Weaknesses:

• Shield leaves back exposed; dodge behind to strike.


• Predictable dash pattern: always dash to where Ori was.


• Small wolves die easily and can be used to regain health/energy.


Playstyle:
Stay close to Howl, dodge dashes, attack from behind. Use Spirit Edge for quick hits. When shield is up, lure a dash then jump over and smash down. Equip Sticky for wall clinging to dodge.

Unlock Conditions:
First major boss in Inkwater Marsh. Mandatory.

Recommended Equipment/Builds:

• Shards: Vitality, Recklessness, Sticky.


• No special weapons needed; Spirit Edge suffices.


Team Synergy:
None, but the Wall Jump ability is critical for map traversal.

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8. Luma Pools Spirit (unnamed friendly NPCs)



Background:
Spirits of the Luma Pools, small light creatures that guide Ori. They offer lore and sometimes quests (e.g., finding Kwolok's child).

Role: Lore providers and quest givers. Some reward Ori with shards or Spirit Light.

Strengths:

• Provide context about Niwen's history.


• Some give simple fetch quests with useful rewards (e.g., Resilience shard).


Weaknesses:

• Don't fight; can be destroyed if attacked (though not recommended).


Playstyle Interaction:
Talk to them to progress story. Complete their tasks for rewards.

Unlock Conditions:
Found in Luma Pools after clearing the initial assault.

Recommended Equipment/Builds:
None.

Team Synergy:
They provide side objectives that enhance Ori's power.

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9. Spirit Willow (Final Area Entity)



Background:
The Spirit Willow is the heart of Niwen, a massive willow tree that holds the light. Dying because of Shriek's darkness. Ori ultimately sacrifices his light to revive it.

Role: Story endpoint and final sequence. The Spirit Willow is not an interactable NPC but the objective.

Strengths/Weaknesses:
Not a combat entity.

Unlock Conditions:
Reach after collecting all three wisps and defeating Shriek.

Team Synergy:
None; the finale is scripted.

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10. Minor Characters (Spirit Trees, Mokkran Villagers, Glade Spirits)



Background:
Various friendly spirits scattered across Niwen. They offer lore, hints, or easy shards.

Role: Atmospheric and collectible interaction points.

Examples:

• Glade Spirits in Silent Woods: give emotes or lore.


• Mokkran Villagers: help with side quests (e.g., building a bridge).


• Elder Mokkran: gives Bash ability after a series of missions.

Strengths/Weaknesses:
None significant.

Unlock Conditions:
Varies; most appear after certain story beats or exploration.

Team Synergy:
Their rewards (shards, maps, abilities) are vital for Ori's progression.

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Summary Table

Each character contributes uniquely to Ori's journey. Mastery of Ori's abilities—earned through these characters—is the key to success.

Cheats & Secrets

Does Ori and the Will of the Wisps Have Cheat Codes?

No. Ori and the Will of the Wisps has no built‑in cheat codes, console commands, debug menus, or unlock codes accessible to players. Moon Studios designed the game as a pure, challenge‑driven experience. However, the world of Niwen is filled with developer‑intended secrets, Easter eggs, and hidden areas that reward thorough exploration. This guide covers all known legitimate hidden content.

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Secret Areas & Hidden Rewards

These locations are not marked on the map and often require advanced movement abilities or keen observation to discover. Each yields valuable items or lore.

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Easter Eggs

1. Moki Appreciation – Throughout the game, you can encounter small rodent‑like creatures called Moki. If you wait near them, they sometimes say “Moki!” in a cute voice. This is a nod to the game’s sound designer who voiced them.

2. Reference to Ori and the Blind Forest – In the Forlorn Ruins, you can find a broken Gumon seal identical to the one from the first game. Interacting with it triggers a memory of Ori’s past.

3. The “Sad” Ending – While not officially secret, finishing the game and watching the credits reveals a post‑credits scene showing a small Sprout growing next to Ori’s resting place. This references the cycle of life central to the series.

4. Hidden Art Gallery – In Baur’s Reach, after defeating the Mora boss, return to the boss arena. The ice walls will have melted, revealing concept art for the area. This only appears after a reload of the zone.

5. Voice Line Easter Egg – If you repeatedly press the Bash input (X on Xbox, Y on Nintendo Switch, or Right Mouse Button on PC) while standing still, Ori will let out a small frustrated grunt. It’s completely useless but amusing.

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Developer‑Intended Secrets

Moon Studios included several intentional, rewarding secrets that are not bugs or glitches but require out‑of‑the‑box thinking:

• Shriek’s Lair – Hidden Compartment – During the final boss fight against Shriek, there is a small alcove high up in the back wall. You can only reach it with Launch + Glide + Triple Jump. Inside is a single Keystone. No lore, just a reward for exploration mid‑battle.


• Kwolok’s Hollow – Secret Wellspring – After restoring water to the Wellspring Glades, revisit Kwolok’s Hollow. The previously dry pool near the entrance now contains a hidden chest with a Spirit Shard (which grants a bonus ability slot). Time‑sensitive – the water recedes after a few seconds.


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Exploits & Glitches (Proceed at Your Own Risk)



Ori and the Will of the Wisps has been patched extensively, and most exploits were fixed. However, some speedrunning techniques still exist:


• Bash Buffer Glitch – On PC, holding Bash while entering a new room can skip the animation, allowing a faster start. This is a timing exploit, not a cheat, and does not break the game.


• OOB (Out of Bounds) at Wellspring Glades – Using precise Water Dash + Glide sequences near the left wall of Wellspring Glades can push Ori outside the map. Once outside, you can fall past the bottom barrier to warp back to the last Spirit Well. This does not give any items and is purely a curiosity.

Note: Exploits can corrupt save files. The developers do not intend for players to use them. This guide lists them only for educational completeness.

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Summary

While Ori and the Will of the Wisps offers no traditional cheat codes, its world is dense with secrets that reward curiosity. From hidden life cells to developer portraits and lore tablets, there is always something new to find. The true secret of the game is that the most satisfying rewards come from exploring every nook and cranny, not from a cheat menu.

Happy exploring, and may the light of the Spirit Tree guide you!