Ori and the Will of the Wisps How Long to Beat: Full Guide
Curious about Ori and the Will of the Wisps how long to beat? Discover the average playtime for main story, side quests, and 100% completion runs here.
Published: Ori and the Will of the Wisps Wiki Editorial Team
Table of Contents
Exploring the breathtaking world of Niwen is a journey that every platformer fan should experience at least once. If you are wondering about Ori and the Will of the Wisps how long to beat, you are likely planning your next gaming weekend and want to know exactly how much time this emotional masterpiece demands. Understanding the game's scope is essential for managing your backlog effectively.
Whether you are a casual player looking to enjoy the narrative or a completionist aiming for every collectible, knowing the expected time investment helps set the stage for your adventure. In this guide, we break down the playtimes based on various playstyles and offer expert tips to optimize your journey through this stunning Metroidvania title.
Understanding the Scope: How Long to Beat Ori and the Will of the Wisps
The duration of your playthrough largely depends on your familiarity with the Metroidvania genre and your desire to explore every hidden corner of the map. According to community data and player reports, the game offers a substantial amount of content compared to its predecessor.
Playstyle
Average Completion Time
Main Story Only
12 Hours
Main Story + Side Quests
15.5 Hours
Completionist (100%)
18.5 Hours
As shown in the table above, the time commitment varies significantly. If you are purely focused on the main objectives, you can expect a tight, 12-hour experience. However, the game encourages exploration, and engaging with side content adds several hours of high-quality platforming and combat.
Factors Influencing Your Playtime
Why do some players finish in 12 hours while others take nearly 20? Several factors contribute to this discrepancy. First, your proficiency with platforming mechanics—such as the triple jump or dash—can significantly speed up your traversal. Second, the difficulty level you choose impacts how often you might find yourself repeating challenging boss encounters.
Tip
Optimize Your Traversal
Purchasing the triple jump ability early on can save you significant time during platforming sections and help you reach hidden areas faster.
If you find yourself stuck on a boss, don't worry. Many players report that boss fights, like the encounter with the Horned Beetle or Kwolok, can take multiple attempts to master. Learning attack patterns rather than brute-forcing combat is the key to maintaining a steady pace.
Mastering Boss Encounters: Combat Efficiency
Efficient combat is essential for those keeping an eye on the clock. Bosses in Ori and the Will of the Wisps are designed to test your reflexes and your ability to utilize the environment.
Combat Strategy Comparison
Boss
Difficulty
Key Strategy
Horned Beetle
Easy
Dash under and strike the back
Kwolok
Moderate/Hard
Avoid tongue attacks, use Spirit Smash
For the Horned Beetle, which serves as one of your first major challenges, focus on movement. The boss’s only vulnerable spot is its back, so timing your dashes to get behind it is the most efficient way to end the fight. For more complex encounters like Kwolok, the fight is split into phases. Community reports suggest that staying above the water surface during the second phase helps avoid the boss's most dangerous underwater attacks.
The Completionist's Path: Finding Every Secret
For those aiming for 100% completion, the journey extends well beyond the final narrative beat. This involves finding every Spirit Shard, health fragment, and energy cell hidden throughout the vast, interconnected world.
Map Completion: Use your map markers to track unvisited areas.
Side Quests: Many NPCs offer tasks that reward you with essential upgrades.
Spirit Shards: Collecting these is mandatory for maximizing your combat and exploration capabilities.
If you are struggling to find specific items, checking the official Steam store page for community discussions or using an interactive map can prevent you from wandering aimlessly. Remember, the game is designed to be a joy to traverse, so take your time—rushing through the beautiful environments often defeats the purpose of such an atmospheric title.
Comparing Ori and the Will of the Wisps to Other Metroidvanias
Many players often compare the game's length to other genre giants like Hollow Knight. While Hollow Knight is widely considered a longer experience—often reaching 30 to 60 hours for full completion—Ori and the Will of the Wisps offers a more condensed, high-intensity experience.
Genre Length Comparison
Game
Average Completionist Time
Ori and the Blind Forest
~11 Hours
Ori and the Will of the Wisps
~18.5 Hours
Hollow Knight
~30-60 Hours
As the data suggests, the developers have successfully increased the scope and scale of the sequel, making it significantly larger than the original Blind Forest. If you enjoyed the first game, you will find this entry to be a satisfying evolution in terms of map size and mechanical depth.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Is Ori and the Will of the Wisps longer than the first game?
A: Yes, community reports and developer statements confirm that this sequel is significantly larger in both scope and scale, often taking about 50-70% longer to complete than the original.
Q: How long is the main story for a casual player?
A: Most players can expect to finish the main story in approximately 12 hours. However, your personal pace and familiarity with platformers may cause this to vary.
Q: What is the fastest way to 100% completion?
A: To minimize your time, prioritize movement-based abilities like the triple jump early. Focus on clearing side quests as you move through areas to avoid backtracking later.
Q: Does the difficulty setting affect the total playtime?
A: Indirectly, yes. Higher difficulties may lead to more frequent deaths during boss fights, which can increase the total time spent on specific segments of the game.