Best Indie Game
Nominees:
- Axiom Verge
- Her Story
- Ori and the Blind Forest
- Rocket League
- Undertale
Most Likely to Win: Ori and the Blind Forest
After being announced at E3 2014, it was clear that Moon Studios’ Ori and the Blind Forest was going to be an emotional ride. When the game launched on March 11, it delivered fully on that expectation and far more. From the soundtrack to level design, Ori and the Blind Forest proved that a 10-hour 2D platformer has just as much potential to deliver a powerful experience as a 200-hour open world epic.
Ori and the Blind Forest was more than just a harkening back to the 2D platformers of old, it was a love letter to one of the oldest genres of video games in every respect. Its utilization of inviting color pallets alongside the serene music provided a stark contrast to exploring the world that was trying to kill you at every turn. The game captured the perfect balance of frustration when attempting a climactic moment — such as the Ginso Tree — while giving the player the “just one more try” feeling that hooks you for hours.
Overall, Ori and the Blind Forest was probably the most satisfying game to complete in 2015 because its design provided players with a great sense of accomplishment. No higher praise can be given to a game designed to pay such homage to a genre that encapsulated early video game lovers.
