Dive into a world of magic and fantasy with Kena: Bridge of Spirits. This action-adventure game came to Xbox in August and gave me a chance to play it, and I really enjoyed it. The developers at Ember Lab have gone above and beyond to bring players closer to Kena’s characters and world, combining great graphics, fun gameplay, and an emotional story.
Jumping into the game, it was already so beautiful. The environments in this game are a lot of fun to look at and explore. Greens, blues, and reds mix happily together in a magical forest environment. Alongside the adorable animation of the main character, Kana. I really appreciate Kena’s character design and personality. Although he has a very gentle attitude towards spirits and rot, he is definitely harsh when dealing with enemies. Beauty isn’t just limited to graphics. The music in this game was amazing from start to finish. An initial whimsical instrumental places the player within the setting, before moving on to the intense theme of a darker boss battle.
The mechanics cater to my preferences as a player. There is a tutorial at the beginning, and new abilities are explored as you progress. We found “Story Mode” to be a great way to play, but there are also higher and lower difficulty levels to suit your personal game. As for how it actually works, I thought it was simple and fun. My personal favorite was the blue power surge “Pulse”. Kenna had a great time using her powers to better the world around her. It also had great relevance to the story, and her connection as a spirit guide was the driving force behind the story and her mission.
Besides the typical combat with the Cane of Qena, there are two main elements. Lots you find along the way will help you in battle. They can not only heal Qana, but also attack enemies with precision. There is also a power tree that upgrades Kana and Lot’s abilities. I got so excited every time I gained a new ability, especially as the boss fights became more difficult by the minute. Every time I wished I had a certain ability, like an area attack or a special attack, it eventually made it into the game.
I love how Rot is implemented within the gameplay and story. Players can find more of them in secret locations. Earn karma by helping them, feeding them, and fighting side monsters. This is the experience required for the aforementioned power tree. Karma is a very unique way to upgrade your skills, and it’s very good at that. It feels like a perfect fit for a game that has a message about recovery and kindness. Overall, we found it to be a unique and satisfying power tree.
Exploration is a big part of this game, and eagle-eyed players are rewarded. The layout of the map promised a variety of tasks to perform around every nook and cranny, requiring us to explore extensively. I was progressing through the story in search of treasure. However, I sometimes lost track of how to accomplish my main mission. I didn’t really care because the world of Kana was so invested, but I felt obligated to participate in every task, side or not. Additionally, the game had a feature that helped solve this problem. Kana’s mask guided me through the story. Other features were also helpful, such as diamonds as currency and fruit for Lot’s friends. At times these moments got a bit boring and I was hoping for something new with the constant mini-battles and loot finding, but I still enjoy the exploration aspect overall. Repetition is never a bad thing. This helps keep the game consistent and exploring to the fullest is optional. This prioritizes the player’s choice.
Another good thing is that I loved the little rotten creatures that chased me outside of combat. I’m always grateful to be able to interact with cute creatures in games. It was nice to know that I could kiss them, dance with them, and sneeze with them. Every little detail makes the game more fun and more personal. This also applies to the hat shop, which is one of my favorite features. Customization is always a plus for me. This is how games feel like their own, and customization is one of my favorite things to do regardless of the game. I was even more inspired to explore, find and use diamonds. It also helped me care about these characters. I was wondering who and what these rotten creatures were, and this is a key mystery of the game. Customization has always been one of my favorite aspects, and I was pleasantly surprised to see it in an adventure game like this.
That’s where the story begins. With a fantasy world as gorgeous as this, prepare yourself for an intense fantasy story. The game does a great job of that, with so many emotional cutscenes that keep players invested in the stakes. My heart goes out to the spirits we help on our journey. The first two, Saiya and Beni, and their quest to help their siblings were especially shocking. I connected with Kana and her determination to do the right thing by all the spirit in the game. At first I felt the setup was lacking and wondered if I was missing something about the past or the conflict. Even though it became a mystery, I didn’t feel like they were setting up a mystery. However, this did not spoil my experience. Other than that, there was a lot to keep me hooked, especially the characters and missions. Kana is the perfect protagonist of this story. She is a kind soul and has dedicated her life to guiding lost souls. I relate to many of the themes in this story. Notes of sadness, restlessness, and acceptance. Ember Lab has been resourceful and created a beautiful story to move forward with.
Kena: Bridge of Spirits is a great game, and it’s also versatile. There’s a lot to love for all kinds of players. If gameplay is your priority, enjoy unique magic mechanics and power trees. If you like stories and customization, you’ll really enjoy the great animated scenes and interactive quests. I am grateful to have played as Spirit Guide Kena and highly recommend this game.
Score: 9 out of 10
Reviewed on Xbox One.
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