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BASH

Analysis of a Game Mechanic

Ori and the Blind Forest

If you have been through my About Me page, you have surely noticed that Ori and the Blind Forest is one of the games that marked me.

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This world of vibrant colors and inspiring music simply touched me. Without speaking  of its protagonist:  Ori. Endearing and delicate little creature.  

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I was so marked by this game where the level design is thought to support the story and the different skills of Ori, I decided to analyze more in depth the central mechanic of this game: Bash .

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Direction of [Left Joystick]

2. Choice of Direction
3. Release

Release of the input [Y]

Targeted Skills and Their Parameters

This game mechanic targets very specific skills in the player.

TIMING

Activate and maintain the mechanic at the right time when available.

PARAMETERS:

  • Window of Opportunity

  • Anticipation Time

SPEED

Quickly move / position Ori in the right direction.

PARAMETERS:

  • Speed (of stimuli)

  • Speed (chase sequences)

REFLEXES

Respond to the various stimuli that may appear in front of Ori.

PARAMETERS:

  • Speed (of stimuli)

  • Speed (chase sequences)

OBSERVATION

Observe the environment to detect the different stimuli that will allow Ori to propulse themselves.

PARAMETERS:

  • Predictability

  • Number of stimuli

  • Anticipation Time

  • Window of Opportunity

MEASURE

Measure distances to make sure Ori reaches the desired location or measure distances to be close enough to a stumuli.

PARAMETERS :

  • Size of stimuli

  • Distance of stimuli

  • Position of stimuli

  • Speed

TACTICAL

Punctually adapt to the environment and to the stimuli that will be on Ori's route.

PARAMETERS:

  • Window of Opportunity

ENDURANCE

Repeat the mechanic several times in a row.

PARAMETERS:

  • Entry Duration

  • Number of Repetitions (of Stimulis)

Signs and Feedback

The different signs and feedback when the player uses Bash . 

Signs
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LIGHT

When Ori is near a stimuli on which it can perform the Bash, the stimuli becomes lit a yellow light.

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  • Visual Sign

  • Space Sign

HIS

When Ori is near a stimulus he can bash on, the stimulus makes a small "wakeup" sound.

  • Audio Sign

  • Space Sign

Feedback
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ORI'S POSITION

When the Bash is activated, Ori takes a push position.

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  • Visual Feedback

  • Diegetic Feedback

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STOP OF TIME

When the Bash is activated, the world's time stops.

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  • Visual Feedback

  • Meta-Diegetic Feedback

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"EXPLOSION"

When the input is released, an "explosion" visual is heard.

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  • Audio Feedback

  • Diegetic Feedback

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PROJECTION OF THE STIMULIS

When the input is released, the stimulus is propelled in the opposite direction of Ori.

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  • Visual Feedback

  • Diegetic Feedback

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CONTROLLER VIBRATION

When the input is released, the player's controller vibrates.

ARROW

When the Bash is activated, an arrow appears to indicate the direction in which Ori will be propelled.

  • Visual Feedback

  • Spatial Feedback

"EXPLOSION"

When the input is released, an "explosion" visual is shown.

  • Visual Feedback

  • Diegetic Feedback

ORI PROJECTION

When the input is released, Ori is propelled in the desired direction.

  • Visual Feedback

  • Diegetic Feedback

DAMAGE TO ENEMIES

When the stimulus is propelled in the opposite direction of Ori, it receives damage.

  • Visual Feedback

  • Diegetic Feedback (but the life bar is spatial)

  • Physical Feedback

  • Meta-Diegetic Feedback

Contexts of Use

The beauty of the Bash mechanic is that it is versatile. It is used in all game situations.

Navigation

Bash can be used to reach inaccessible platforms with the simple jump or simply not to touch the ground.

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Puzzles

Bash can be used to solve puzzles or unlock passages.

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Fights
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Bash can be used to damage enemies,  propel yourself in the air to avoid attacks or return projectiles to enemies.

Ori and the Will of the Wisps

A change to the mechanics has been made in the following opus.

The input used has  changed from [Y] button to [Left Bumper].

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Why make this change?

  • Will of the Wisps has a skill system mapped to the 3 buttons ([X], [Y], [B])

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What is the impact  of this change on the Gameplay?

  • This arrangement offers better comfort to the player.

  • The sequence of the Jump ([A]) and Bash ([Left Bumper]) is more fluid, since the player does not use the same finger or the same hand to perform these 2 actions.  

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This layout of the controls is therefore much better than that of Ori and the Blind Forest.

What is BASH ?

Bash is a skill that Ori gains on their adventure.  

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In the first hours of play, the player discovers this mechanic when completing the Ginso Tree. This is the fifth skill found.

 

The player will have to use this mechanic to complete the level.

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When activated, Bash stops time. The player must point in a direction in which Ori will be propulsed. Note that if the player does this skill on an enemy or a projectile, it will be propulse it in the opposite direction.

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Controls

Bash takes place in three stages:

1. Activation

Press the input [Y] and hold

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