Cheats & Secrets
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.
| Secret Area | Location | How to Access | Reward |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hidden Life Cell Cave | Inkwater Marsh – behind the large waterfall near the first Spirit Well | Swim through the waterfall after obtaining Glide (from the Wellspring Glades). | Life Cell (increases max health) |
| Spirit Light Cache | Silent Woods – hidden alcove above the main path after the first crumbling bridge | Use Wall Jump and Bash on a lantern to launch upward. | 150 Spirit Light |
| Grom’s Stash | Baur’s Reach – inside a hollow tree trunk near the frozen lake | Melt the ice blocking the entrance using Flash (ability from Inkwater Marsh). | Grom’s Key (opens a special chest in Wellspring Glades) |
| Lore Tablet Chamber | Windswept Wastes – behind a breakable wall in the room with the large fan | Break the wall using Ground Pound (ability from the Silent Woods). | Lore tablet detailing the fall of Niwen’s ancient civilization. |
| Toggle’s Treasure | Luma Pools – underwater tunnel in the southernmost room | Dive down and swim through a hidden passage after obtaining Dash and Burrow (for the final section). | 2x Keystones (used to unlock locked doors) |
| Developer Room | Wellspring Glades – directly above the main Spirit Well | Use Glide + Launch (from Baur’s Reach) to reach a high ledge. Inside is a framed portrait of Moon Studios director Thomas Mahler. Interact with it to receive a message: “Thank you for playing!” | Pure emotional value. |
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.
- 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.
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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:
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!