One of the more pleasant surprises at E3 2014 came during the Microsoft press conference. Amidst a sea of first person shooters and hardcore titles rose a little indie game with a fantastic art style and a tremendous amount of heart. Ori and the Blind Forest marks the first effort from Moon Studios, and, judging by the brief trailer and some hands-on time on the showfloor, this could be one of the most exciting titles this fall.

Ori tells the story of a small, ethereal creature brought to the titular forest in mysterious fashion. The creature is nursed back to health by a bear-like mentor, delivered in several cutscenes during the introduction of the demo. Moon's ability to tell a coherent narrative without any dialogue is truly remarkable. You feel the love and admiration between these two characters, and the weight of the proceedings outshines most other titles even though it only lasted about thirty seconds. It feels like the best parts of Pixar's Up, and you feel somber when things begin to take a turn for the dark.

Our little hero is tasked with discovering what awful fate has befallen its mentor following a giant bird creature's arrival to the forest. Side-scrolling exploration is the name of the game, with direct nods to the Metroid series and the newer Castlevania games. Players gain abilities that help them traverse the environment, which consists of closed barriers, thorny bushes, and hazardous lakes. Combat appears to be simplistic, at least in the beginning, with a 1-2 punch emanating from a light orb following our tiny friend. What's interesting is how this orb seems to lock onto enemies directly, allowing players to move around danger and avoid incoming attacks. It's a different take on a classic formula, and it's my hope that there's some added depth as a result. Jumping felt super responsive and tight, letting me traverse the environment with just the right amount of gasp-inducing action and confidence lacking in many platformers.

It's impossible to overstate just how amazing Ori looks in motion. There's an almost minimalistic design to the creatures inhabiting the forest. In addition, characters animate with wonderful articulation. Watching the main character's ears droop down in the presence of the intimating bird lets you know exactly what the creature is feeling without having to spell it out. There's a serious gut punch at the end of the reveal trailer, and I doubt anyone who grew up watching classic Disney films will have an easy time holding back tears. Unfortunately, some of this emotional impact was tempered (only slightly) by the glut of on-screen tutorials. Each and every item acquisition results in a text bubble explaining both form and function, ripping me out of the experience and reminding me I'm playing a video game. It's my hope that Moon can pull some of these guides back just a bit and let the world speak for itself.

No less than eight E3 attendants told me to go and see Ori and the Blind Forest, and I could certainly see why after meeting with the developers and playing it firsthand. Much like Okami or the The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, it feels like a cartoon come to life. In an industry dominated by blood, guts, guns, and breasts, it's uplifting to see a whimsical title front and center at a major publisher's press conference. Word of mouth will carry Ori when it releases on Xbox One and PC, and I can't wait to see more come fall.