E3 2019 preview: Xbox predictions, rumors and expectations

What we will see: Ori and the Will of the Wisps

There was a time where Microsoft and small, critically acclaimed indie games were synonymous. Remember “Summer of Arcade”? Well, now the Nintendo Switch is everyone’s indie darling (it was the PS4 before that so maybe it’s just cyclical).

That doesn’t mean that Microsoft doesn’t invest in and give serious attention to some smaller amazing games, however. One of the bright spots of the Xbox One generation that wasn’t a AAA effort was Ori and the Blind Forest, a hauntingly beautiful (and deceptively challenging) platforming adventure game that was incredibly well received.

At last year’s E3 presentation, Microsoft did show a trailer for the sequel, titled Ori and the Will of the Wisps. The footage shown seemed to be more of the same gameplay for the most part, with a few new abilities thrown in here and there, but looking even more gorgeous than before. One gameplay element that seemed to also matter to the story at large is Ori’s new friendship with a bird he can ride from time to time.

With it due out later this year and one of the few things Microsoft can claim as a console exclusive, there’s no doubt Ori and the Will of the Wisps will get a significant showing at Microsoft’s E3 2019 presentation. It probably won’t do anything drastically different with the formula established in the first game, but it hardly needs to and will likely be another wonderful little gem just like the first.