The Story of Ori and the Blind Forest in 21 Minutes | Story/Lore

With Ori and the Will of the Wisps coming out I thought it was a good idea to tell the story and lore of Ori and the Blind Forest. The game explores a deeply emotional story about love and sacrifice, supported by an amazing soundtrack and beautiful artstyle.
Ori and the Blind Forest tells a story of Ori, a spirit guardian, that's separated from the Spirit Tree during the Great Storm. The Light Ceremony, summoned by the Spirit Tree, calls out to Ori and inadvertently disturbs the balance between the three elements of light: Water, Wind and Warmth - with disastrous consequences. While avoiding her arch nemesis, Kuro, Ori must set out to restore balance to Nibel.
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TAGS
#MHD #Gamelore #OriandtheBlindForest #OriandtheWilloftheWisps

[@MastermindsHD]

Have you played Ori and the Blind Forest or are you going to play Ori and the Will of the Wisps? I think you should, but don't take my word for it. Judge the game after you've seen its enticing story.

[@MastermindsHD]

I can't say I'm surprised

[@GeorgHaeder]

I haven't played it but I'll get both.

[@TheStoryMode]

Kind of came across this via Xbox game pass and was pleasantly surprised. It’s a sleeper in my book and a change of pace from my regularly played games so it’s very cool to see you do a story/lore vid on it.

[@MastermindsHD]

@@GeorgHaeder Awesome

[@MastermindsHD]

@@TheStoryMode Nice. I loved it. As you said, it's something different.

[@jaynukem1929]

It's amazing how well you can convey emotion with little to no dialogue between the characters involved. It reminds me of what Pixar's WALL-E was able to do.

[@MastermindsHD]

I think Moon Studios did it amazingly.

[@PoisonSpecs]

Nothing but tears the whole way through

[@MastermindsHD]

It's a great story

[@morpheussomnus1292]

That's one of the reasons why I'm scared to play the sequel.

[@a.q.2330]

​@@morpheussomnus1292did you play it? I am curious. I have a negative opinion of the sequel mostly because of the story and ending.

[@Elenyen]

​@@a.q.2330oh i thought I am alone. I personally hate that ending. Story wasn't bad but ending was awful 😞

[@JWB0987]

I cried like a little girl at the end of will of the wisps, and I’m not afraid to admit it.😭

[@MastermindsHD]

There is no shame in that. You're in a safe space.

[@a.q.2330]

That ending was so bad. Forced and rushed. That's why wisps isn't canon to me.

[@3ternal33]

@@a.q.2330 it was good, great even. just very hard to agree with

[@a.q.2330]

@@3ternal33 how is it great? Ori died for no reason. There was no threat left, no immediate danger and Ori already did so much for the forest. They killed the main character at the last second by reusing a scrapped ending from the first game so they couldn't make another sequel.

[@3ternal33]

@@a.q.2330 for no reason? for NO REASON?

[@DIGISCIENTIST]

No words can describe how good this game is... it literally helped me to get out of depression...

[@coolbeans3752]

So technically it was the Spirit Tree's fault. I mean if it could see that Ori was alive well and happy. Then it would have no reason to claim him. But that's just my opinion.

[@MastermindsHD]

I suppose it couldn't see him, which is why he reached out - unknowingly killing Kuro's hatchlings. I suppose you can't blame the three if it didn't know.

[@coolbeans3752]

@@MastermindsHD True, very true.

[@Gribs11]

That moment when your neighbor can not find one of his thousands child so he decides to explode a little nuke and accidentally kills three of your kids. You decide to take all uranium from that neighbor, so no more nukes, but it turns out that his household, powered by nuclear reactor, does not work. But this child that was missing at the beginning steals back uranium and tries to start the nuclear reactor, causing flood, freeze, and huge fire.

[@Doomlovesearth2]

Couldn't the Spirit Tree have formed search parties to search for Ori in the forest?

[@darkelysium2187]

@@Doomlovesearth2 Well the lack of communication would make that difficult because the tree only talks as narration and Sein.

[@odding3472]

God right in the feels ;~; never got to finish the game because of reasons, but wanted to see the story. Damn its well written, and you told the story in such a good way, creds to you :)

[@odding3472]

btw if you see the comment, will you make a video on the new one?

[@MastermindsHD]

Thanks man. I will also create a video on the new one, but haven't had the opportunity to play it.

[@Jerrrbear]

Such a beautifully made video! I very much appreciate how you allow us to see the story unfold with just enough narration to make sure that we understand the story but also experience it, thank you!

[@MastermindsHD]

Thank you so much!

[@naomilavoie6573]

I definitely teared up playing this. Both Ori games are so amazing, two of my favourite play throughs ever

[@matthewjones6786]

Such a powerful opening. I think a huge part of why it's so effective is that the player is given some control, which helps build our connection to Ori without even realizing it. Great recap! Now I'm ready to will some wisps.

[@psyche_the_cat]

I'm currently playing Blind forest and this story is amazing *^* I'm crying when Naru dies even though I know she is revived by Gumo TwT

[@oasisbeyond]

Masterpieces.

[@MastermindsHD]

Masterpiece indeed.

[@CLC-1000]

This looks like a really great story. Have heard of the game but never played it. But after watching your video I am thinking to give it a try.

[@MastermindsHD]

It took me a while to get into, but once I did I was hooked. It was nice, because it's something different from all the FPS games.

[@oasisbeyond]

your missing out, masterpieces.

[@FukurouYGR]

Thanks! This was a very good recap, I just bought Will of the Wisps and now I remember the whole story. Tyvm!

[@MastermindsHD]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@JDothan]

Dude this is an amazing video. Game looks cool too but damn you tell a good story man!

[@MastermindsHD]

Thanks man. Always good to see you return.

[@ashtaylor4107]

I got the sequel on sale recently, and I’m so excited to play it! I love this world and story.

[@MastermindsHD]

Will of the Wisps is amazing too. I just finished it a few weeks ago.

[@a.q.2330]

@@MastermindsHD what did you think of the story and the ending

[@chaosxny5784]

4:22 ah, i see what you did there

[@MastermindsHD]

Did you now?

[@benjamindeh873]

4:16 Wow I never realised Ori was thinking of those memories. I thought it was just a thing the developers put there for us, but it totally makes sense that Ori is remembering the good times. Omfg thats so beautiful.

[@MastermindsHD]

I think so too.

[@streetgum_]

Needed this before playing Will of Wisps & letting my friends watch me play it! Thanks!

[@MastermindsHD]

You're welcome.

[@VegasValentineMusic]

Here after my third playthrough. The sequence at the end of the Ginso tree gives me CHILLS

[@MastermindsHD]

It's truly gorgeous. I agree.

[@tyleranderson3178]

I accidentally bought Will of the Wisps without knowing Ori actually had a story and was just a pretty game. So now I’m watching this video 😅

[@MastermindsHD]

The look and sound of the game was what originally drew me in too, but the story is what made it all worthwhile.

[@thiagocordeiro8411]

15:06 I felt sorry for the kuro losing his children. Amazing video!

[@MastermindsHD]

I think we all do. This fucking tree... Also, thanks!

[@Chrisdish]

@@MastermindsHD couldn't Kuro just move it's kids?

[@terrypennington2519]

@@Chrisdish Kuro had no idea the spirit tree was ever going to do that. When the light ceremony happened, Kuro flew as fast as she could to protect her children, but was too late by the time she had reached them.

[@bhargavb4857]

@@MastermindsHD lol you can’t blame the tree that much. It was just worried and wasn’t aware of what it would do to the owl species. It was pretty stupid though. BTW just beat Ori and the Blind Forest one hour ago and am about to get will of wisps. Thanks for the video, I remembered everything again.

[@Lucivius27]

@@bhargavb4857Nahh the tree is even sentient enough to be a narrator in this story. It's BS to think it is stupid enough not to realize it's power. It didn't just kill Kuro's children it decimated the entire forest and cause the apocalypse in the first place which resulted in more dying. Kuro merely gone berserk and kill anyone near enough her territory to protect her last egg.

[@MrMattSax]

Few games have a soul like this one ❤

[@MastermindsHD]

Agreed

[@TsuriaDragon]

Journey

[@Bardunia]

I just finished The will of the wisps. Im 36yr old and i whept like a child. I was touched emotionally so deeply, I was emotionally wounded. My family asking me why im so sad. I cant tell them they will not understand. Thats why I came here. I cant stand the thought that Ori and Ku will never hug each other or play together. Ku, Ori... I love you 😢

[@MastermindsHD]

I love these games too. They are two of my favorite games, if not my absolute favorites.

[@TsuriaDragon]

I love stories like these and the music alone got me hooked it the story truly is an masterpiece.

[@MastermindsHD]

Agreed

[@kionisua8564]

Daw :,3 that was a nice tale, thanks Mind

[@MastermindsHD]

Thanks for the comment

[@outcast4087]

I'm still not sure how it is possible for beings of the Dark to coexist in a forest of seemingly dominating Light. Especially when such enormous and deadly (to the Darkness) events like the Light Gathering can happen.

[@MastermindsHD]

I suppose there is a difference between natural light and light from creatures like the Spirit Tree. I suppose it's never as black and white.

[@pennywisethesingingclown5147]

I just beat the game and am excited to actually understand the lore!

[@MastermindsHD]

Lovely. The second game is even better (story is just as awesome).

[@Sapeidra]

So in a nutshell this tree has some really confusing life and death properties.

[@MastermindsHD]

It does indeed.

[@hungien5368]

people who played this first time : hope i can have a good time *a couples of hours later*: *depresion increase to 100 *

[@MastermindsHD]

Depression or frustration. It's one of those two.

[@damjanlazarevic6222]

The only series ever to make me cry, truly a masterpiece of a game, same for will of the wisps, for some reason i still feel incomplete with the story of will of wisps and only hope for a movie to be made about this MASTERPIECE

[@cherandshane2683]

This game... it never ceases to make me tear up.

[@MastermindsHD]

I understand why

[@ZyklonBeast12]

Thanks for this explanation. I was completely lost this entire game

[@MastermindsHD]

I had the same thing the first time.

[@RuchiwanChut-pg2hx]

So a evil demon tree starts killing every thing in forest. A mom seeks justice.

[@CrypivezCool]

the ori games are… just SO fun I havent stopped playing the sequel all day, really enjoy the game

[@MastermindsHD]

They're amazing. Among the best in the business.

[@dr.felixou]

The reason I discovered this game is because of delfy video on Rick May’s death Mann I hope he’s happy up there

[@MastermindsHD]

I'm not sure who they are, but same.

[@hayden5789]

You should do one for Will of The Wisps

[@MastermindsHD]

I will do one for Will of the Wisps (once I finish it).

[@vixenisdum]

amazing video, i loved it extremely well made :DD

[@MastermindsHD]

Thank you very much!

[@eric21881]

I just started playing this and it’s such a complete game. The story, the art, the music, then the gameplay is fun. Just an amazing game and it’s so relaxing

[@MastermindsHD]

I know, right? The second one is even better.

[@eric21881]

@@MastermindsHD and the way the prologue pulls you in, when youre walking through the memories i was like "oh no" then she dies in the cave and it happens so fast i was on the couch and i said "yo what the fuck" it got so deep so fast and fucks you up, really makes you invested in whats happening

[@Sunaru6914]

Just make this into an anime. Moon Studios, you have nothing to loose.

[@MastermindsHD]

It would make a good one.

[@ashtaylor4107]

Or at least a movie

[@jermrocks3337]

whoever talks about this game im subbing

[@MastermindsHD]

Awesome.

[@arasgee9184]

Great video! The only problem is that Ori needs the ability Stomp in order to access the Lost Grove, which can only be unlocked after restoring the Ginso Tree.

[@daygel5513]

Definitely recommend the game to anyone, also good recap!

[@MastermindsHD]

Thanks, same here.

[@Im_Ninooo]

the theme song still makes me cry

[@xtgd6882]

I don’t think im going to play the first game so this really helps, right now im playing the will of the wisps. If i did play this I would probably cry lol

[@MastermindsHD]

What's holding you back from playing the first one?

[@JARedwolf100]

Truly a beautiful story!

[@MastermindsHD]

Agreed.

[@AscendedCup]

I barely understood it earlier. Thanks for the video!

[@MastermindsHD]

You're welcome!

[@BenjaDoesGames]

This game made me almost cry

[@MastermindsHD]

It's a beautiful story.

[@Yeep737]

I’ve played this game before this is a great comeback and sends it was ripped off my grabbing because it was removed from Xbox game pass

[@MastermindsHD]

Didn't know it was on Xbox Game Pass.

[@dragonfly20502]

It came back

[@vagueshade8197]

Thank you for the Story lore of the first game, is there any chance that you'll be able to cover "The Story of Ori and the Blind Forest"?

[@MastermindsHD]

Do you mean Ori and The Will of the Wisps? If so, I was planning on it until a lot of stuff came up. I might do it someday.

[@vagueshade8197]

@@MastermindsHD Yeah, sorry for confusion. Glad to hear it)

[@MEGALONTHEKING]

I wanted to skip directly to will of the wisps but now I think I will play this game before.

[@MastermindsHD]

It's not necessary, but I definitely recommend it. Will of the Wisps is quite the improvement, it'd be hard to go back to The Blind Forest after playing it.

[@Sketchers.WeGotThaDrip]

This hit me right in the feels

[@MastermindsHD]

So it did for many.

[@oasisbeyond]

Masterpieces of gaming.

[@MastermindsHD]

Agreed

[@quinnlim5104]

beautiful game, beautiful story, and you summarized it beautifully

[@MastermindsHD]

I appreciate that. I loved the second game too.

[@quinnlim5104]

@@MastermindsHD I still need to watch that

[@Ferrero_rocher5782]

Gumo is the real hero

[@MastermindsHD]

Why not both?

[@bodacious117]

Ori is better than hollow knight.. also I felt so bad for kuro

[@Danielmrmasked]

Ori and the blind forest is an Amazing game

[@MastermindsHD]

Agreed

[@Naseiu]

We named her... Ku.

[@Diwasho]

Gotta say the story is not the strongest aspect of the game, while its presentation is top notch the script is a little weak. One thing that's never made clear is why was Ori of all light spirits so important to the Spirit Tree? It's never explained in what way Ori is so special and why searching for him/her warranted spreading deadly light all through the forest, which no doubt killed way more than just Kuro's owlets. The tree still had dozens of other spirit guardians by its side, maybe sending some of them to search for Ori would have been a better idea. The nature of the light being as deadly as it is kind of contradicts the idea of it sustaining life and harmony. Naru's father was probably onto something, creature of darkness or not, that light was already proven not safe to be around no matter who you are. At close proximity it _vaporized_ Kuro, a strong, giant adult owl, if anything it's more terrifying than the Decay. There's also the question of how the last surviving egg seems to go unhatched for so long. Supposedly it's been years between the events of the light ceremony that killed Kuro's hatched chicks and the egg finally hatching in the end, even though it was laid around the same time as the others so it should have hatched soon after Kuro broke the Spirit Tree.

[@Diwasho]

Also, Kuro's reaction to the fire spreading close to her nest was not to immediately relocate the egg to safety but to return Sein to the tree. Sure it's more dramatic and impactful but it's not very logical. I don't think she was THAT much closer to the tree than to her nest anyway so her sacrifice made little difference, she could have just left Sein and Ori alone to let them finish their quest while swiftly saving the egg and staying alive to care for the baby later.

[@MastermindsHD]

I like the way you think. I suppose when you really take a look at it, the story isn't amazing. It's a good story, the rest of the game is amazing, but the story on its own isn't amazing in itself.

[@lilwigglesandleaves]

Oddworld Abs Odyssey will forever be my favorite game!

[@MastermindsHD]

I love that you said that. The biggest reason I chose to play the Ori games is because I used to play Oddworld: Abe's Odyssey on the PlayStation 1. One of my favorite games and childhood memories too.

[@lil_ins]

I mean, this story would be very beautiful if it made any sense.. I had to watch this to make some sense of it, and even now it still doesn't make sense.... I mean the light of the spirit tree which kinda symbolizes the life of the forest and everything in it, "accidently" kills little hatchlings with its light? what the heck?

[@MastermindsHD]

That's because the light of the spirit tree keeps the balance between light and dark, but creatures of the dark can't come into too much contact with it. That's what I understood of it. I wouldn't think too hard on it.

[@BritskNguyen]

the baby owls died of sleep deprivation caused by the intense light

[@MastermindsHD]

That must be it

[@diligencehumility6971]

The graphics in the first Ori game is so much better than the second game. In the second game, there is so much going on, on screen, it's difficult to tell apart what is going on

[@MastermindsHD]

I disagree, I think I see your point about the second game. There were times I had trouble distinguishing what was the fore- and background.

[@diligencehumility6971]

@@MastermindsHD Yes Exactly. Didnt have the problem in the first game. Everything else is much better. Fantastic game 9.5/10

[@Diwasho]

Some locations in Ori 2 are stunning but yeah, I actually preferred how the first game feels less 3D and more painted. I guess it's a matter of preference, they both look great in slightly different ways.

[@diligencehumility6971]

@@Diwasho Exactly. 2. Game is stunning. But couldnt tell apart foreground from background sometimes. It was easy to tell the difference in the first game. They added too much detail

[@vanngocthien]

I can't say I see the game the same way ever again, not after wotw was relaesed. Now I even questioned the story's fuctionality.

[@MastermindsHD]

Why's that?

[@vanngocthien]

@@MastermindsHD Plot holes, useless story arks (such as Kwolok's), useless NPCs (such as mkst of the Moki's that are spread throughout the game), so so much more.

[@bcego6pe]

didn't get, why Gumo steals the artifact? to resurrect Naru?

[@MastermindsHD]

To resurrect his own kind.

[@SMAB2007]

i am watching this while waiting for it to download

[@MastermindsHD]

Awesomeness

[@JustShova]

Amazing Video❤️

[@MastermindsHD]

Glad you liked it!!

[@justwatchingsomeanime6093]

Im confused... why did gumo revive naru?

[@MastermindsHD]

Out of compassion as he knows what it is to lose your family.

[@Drekalo]

what song did you use in the first 5 s?

[@MastermindsHD]

Not sure the exact name, but it's the credits song.

[@Drekalo]

@Zerebrat Eightyseven i meant the humming song right before the light of nibel starts, but thanks anyway

[@Drekalo]

@@MastermindsHD thanks

[@lilixpictures6128]

@@Drekalo It's the last few seconds of "The Sacrifice"

[@faeriedragon348]

I really wish I could play this 😔

[@MastermindsHD]

How come you can't?

[@faeriedragon348]

@@MastermindsHD pc is unfriendly to my accessibility needs 😥

[@reapergaming8416]

Game 1 : Seir the spirit that powers the tree narrates the story and you must save that tree Game 2 : Ori from the future narrates the game and becomes the tree

[@MastermindsHD]

I have yet to complete Will of the Wisps.

[@thoticusmaximus3798]

By the way, I think Ori is a gorl 😮

[@MastermindsHD]

I'm not sure. After editing the video I heard Ori is female, but I've also heard Ori doesn't have a gender.

[@ashtaylor4107]

I think there’s a confusion here. When the tree mentions a her, I’m pretty sure it’s talking about Naru. But ori’s gender is never specified, I mean, they are a being of light, so it would make sense for the gender to be nonspecific.

[@InsaneTarot]

This game has a beautiful story, but the gameplay is ridiculously hard even on easy. I wanted to play it, but there's no point in playing it if I cant get past a level.

[@MastermindsHD]

I think on easy it should be doable, but without opposable thumbs I can imagine why it's hard.

[@InsaneTarot]

@@MastermindsHD ok smartass lol. I have them. It's called fast fast reaction time with the boulder part.

[@ctiradctirada2775]

slight spoiler It seems weird to me how the light killed those birds. Can anyone explain pls?

[@MastermindsHD]

It's not necessarily weird, although I can't explain the science behind it. The Spirit Tree casted light to reach out to Ori (The Light Ceremony). Kuro and her chicks are creatures of the dark, so the intensity of the light destroyed them. That's what I think at least.

[@hiryuken3517]

I love you.

[@MastermindsHD]

At least buy me dinner first

[@chadpanuncilloakaachad2396]

is this a disney movie

[@MastermindsHD]

It's better than today's Disney movies.

[@chadpanuncilloakaachad2396]

@@MastermindsHD agreed

[@Zyp1c]

Lol I'm just watching this so I can play wotw because apparently it's similar to hollow knight

[@Zyp1c]

But after I might play blind

[@MastermindsHD]

I would first play Ori and the Blind Forest, since Will of the Wisps is the sequel. Both are amazing.

[@AnushkaGal]

Ori is a female but sure...

[@MastermindsHD]

I'm quoting: "A Moon Studios programmer later clarified in a Reddit Q&A that Ori is intentionally left ungendered, and that "it's open for everyone's personal interpretation!". So, we're both right.

[@OpenMindMinistries]

Yea, don't call me a guy lol seriously

[@robinofhsr]

Ori is literally genderless

[@thegoldengamer5098]

Wait isn’t ori a girl?

[@1F030]

played thru the blind forest, finished it, i dont like the game too much, cause there is only escape boss fights that really pissed me off...the story tbh is simple and bores me...its a childrens book

[@hinditime8034]

Ori is a girl.

[@MastermindsHD]

So I discovered after creating the video. Also, I heard Ori doesn't have a gender.

[@hinditime8034]

@@MastermindsHD hmmm in the first game ori is mentioned as "her" so that's why I though. Well its good to know the fact, thankyou.

[@fenko309]

Ori diesn't have gender

[@ashtaylor4107]

I’m pretty sure the her is referring to Naru. I was also confused at first.

[@streetgum_]

Ori doesnt have a gender although you can reffer their pronoun as "they/their"

[@CymruCreator]

dude, why do you have to ruin your own video with those obnoxious messages? you get a thumbs down from me and I definitely won't be subscribing.

[@MastermindsHD]

I'm assuming with 'obnoxious messages' you mean the calls to action (i.e. like, subscribe etc.)? That's fair enough. Did you like the rest of the video, though?

[@CymruCreator]

@@MastermindsHD I would not have complained if I didn't like what you were doing overall. It was all really nice and that's why I got upset.

[@TheOneAndOnlyMal]

?

[@muffinsstuff]

I remmember getting an Xbox one when i was like 7. It came with a digital copy of ori And the blind forest, i remmember booting it up And playing with my dad, we would laugh And Take turns trying to complete parts of the levels. Life was more simple 🥹

[@Brd6147]

I want a new ori game so bad

[@MastermindsHD]

I have yet to play the second one. Definitely on my to-play list.

[@guryurfur528]

i cry, now time to play will of the wisp, wish me luck

[@DonnaHarrison-j1c]

Lee Jessica Garcia Carol White Donald

[@nathanielthehunter737]

The intro to this game messed me up man

[@MastermindsHD]

I can imagine.

[@Phoenix-kn8uk]

The only game that has ever made me cry at its ending.

[@laplue]

I finished the game but I slightly didn't understand what was going on, I'm just in pain with my fingers.

[@MastermindsHD]

But it was quite a simple story.

[@laplue]

@@MastermindsHD 😅

[@prodigeedatru1026]

ori is a girl

[@MastermindsHD]

Yeah, I discovered that after I recorded the script :|

[@Deni-mt9bj]

Prodigee Da Tru the creators said it doesn’t matter. They said that his sex depends on your choice, how you want to see the character.

[@SnekFangz]

Ori's gender is unknown

[@Chrisdish]

@@SnekFangz the Spirit Tree calls Ori a girl, or "she" around the beginning parts of the game.

[@Edgeperor]

oof watee when?