Much like State of Decay 2, Ori and the Will of the Wisps is just more of its predecessor, just improved and upgraded in areas. Perhaps a more fully-realised idea (in both cases), whether because of new tech or more resources. In some ways it's the most rational step for a sequel - incremental adjustments, safe improvements - but on the other hand, one wonders what was lost by working on an effective replacement of the first game

If you're unfamiliar with the first game, by coincidence i can refer to fernandopa's review of it, and then briskly move on to saying that almost everything described there is maintained in the sequel. Visual environments are still gorgeous, with a more 3D effect to objects; sound and music is still good but exactly great; narrative is still mostly wordless, and works hard to tug on your tear ducts; movement still feels butter-smooth, with neat abilities that combine together into a free-flow parkour-feeling style; and combat is still slightly too sloppy to get your blood moving (but maybe it reveals its tricks more in hard mode)

An interesting set of changes is the ones that feel influenced by Hollow Knight, released between Blind Forest and Will of the Wisps. The easiest one to point to is the charms shards that you can find in the world and equip to limited slots. There are also more characters to talk to (and buy things from), and they seem to have adopted the language-shaped voices from Knight. Hell, there's just a map-seller explorer-type that you have find in each zone to reveal unvisited areas. I'm not throwing shade, i think these are good mechanics to borrow, i just find it interesting..

I had a very good time playing Will of the Wisps (much like i did with the Blind Forest). Is it the best metroidvania? No, but is it good enough to recommend? Easily, yes