Dive into a world of magic and fantasy with Kena: Bridge of Spirits. This action-adventure game came to Xbox in August, giving me the opportunity to play and I had an absolute blast. The developers at Ember Lab went above and beyond to have players connect with the characters and world of Kena, a combination of excellent graphics, fun gameplay, and an emotional story.
Jumping right into the game it was already so beautiful. The environments of this game are very pleasing to look at and explore. There is a delightful mix of greens and blues and reds within the fantastical forest environments. Right alongside the adorable animation of our main character, Kena. I really appreciate the character design and personality of Kena. She has such a gentle manner with the spirits and the Rot, yet she is undeniably tough when handling enemies. The beauty does not end at the graphics. The music in this game was incredible from start to finish. The whimsical instrumentals in the beginning getting the player situated in the setting, to the intense themes for the darker boss battles.
The mechanics are catered to my liking as a player. There is a tutorial right in the beginning, with new abilities explored as you progress. I found the “Story Mode” to be a great way to play, but there are higher and lower difficulties catered to your personal gaming. As for the actual mechanics, I found them simple and fun. The blue power surge “Pulse” was my personal favorite. I had a great time using power to better the world around Kena. It also had major story relevance, her connection as a spirit guide was the driving force of the narrative and her mission.
There are two main factors besides the typical fighting using Kena’s staff. We have the Rot we find along the way, who assist in battle. They can heal Kena as well as attack enemies with precision. There is also a power tree, which upgrades Kena’s abilities as well as the Rot. I was super excited to earn each new ability, especially as the boss fights grew more challenging by the minute. Each time I wished I had a certain ability, like a range attack or a special attack, it eventually appeared in the game.
I love how the Rot is implemented within the gameplay and the story. The player can find more of them in secret locations. By helping them, feeding them, and battling side monsters, you gain Karma. This is the experience needed for the aforementioned power tree. Karma was a very unique way of upgrading skills, and a very fitting one at that. It feels right for a game which has a message about restoration and kindness. All in all, I found it to be a unique and satisfying power tree.
Exploration is a huge part of this game with rewards given for keen eyed players. The layout of the map engaged me to search far and wide, with the promise of different tasks at every corner. I was in pursuit of treasure and progressing the story. However, I’d sometimes find myself lost of how to complete my main mission. I didn’t mind too much, as Kena’s world was so investing I felt implored to oblige in every task, side or not. Furthermore, the game had features that assisted me in this matter. Kena’s mask guided me towards story progression. It also helpfully pointed out other features like diamonds for currency or fruit for my Rot friends. While sometimes these moments got a bit tedious, and I wished for something new in my constant mini battles and loot finding, I still enjoyed the exploration aspect overall. Repetition is not bad by any means. It helps keep the game consistent, and exploring to the absolute fullest is optional. This keeps player choice a priority.
Another positive, I adored the little Rot creatures following me even outside of battle. I always appreciate when a game lets me interact with the cute creatures. I was pleased to find out I can kiss them or dance with them or sneeze with them. All the little details make a game way more fun and personal. This also applies to another one of my favorite features, the Hat Shop. Customization is always a plus for me. It’s a way to make a game feel like yours, and customizing is one of my favorite things to do regardless of the game. I was more inspired to explore, find diamonds, and spend them. It also helped me care about these characters. I found myself wondering who and what these Rot creatures are, which is an important mystery in the game. The customization was one of my favorite aspects and I was pleasantly surprised to see it in an adventure game like this.
That brings me to the story. When you have a fantasy world as gorgeous as this, you prepare yourself for an intense fantastical plot. This game delivers on that note, there are so many emotional cutscenes that invest the player in the stakes. I sympathize heavily with the spirits we help along the way. Our first two, Saiya and Beni, and the quest to help their brother was particularly impactful. I connected with Kena and her determination to do right by all the spirits in the game. I did feel there was a lack of setup in the beginning, leaving me wondering if I was missing something about the past or conflict. It did not feel like it was setting up a mystery, even though it turned into one. However, this did not ruin my experience. There was a lot to keep me engaged otherwise, especially the characters and mission. Kena is the perfect protagonist for this story. She is a kind soul, dedicating her life to guiding lost souls. I connect a lot with the themes in this story. Notes of grief, restlessness, and acceptance. Ember Lab did a tactful job and crafted a beautiful story about moving on.
Kena: Bridge of Spirits is an amazing game, and a versatile one too. There is a lot to love for all different sorts of players. If you prioritize gameplay, you’ll have a blast with the unique magical mechanics and power tree. If you love story and customization, you’ll have a lot of fun with the incredible animated scenes and interactive quests. I appreciated my time playing as the Spirit Guide Kena, and I highly recommend the game.
Score: 9 out of 10
Reviewed on Xbox One.