Kena Bridge of Spirits is the game that comes closest to the feel of a great Pixar-esque animated movie. It's clear that Ember Lab has put its background in animation to good use, but Kena Bridge of Spirits is also an amazing first effort from the game development studio.
Kena is a delightful game that emphasizes exploration, and its world feels alive because of it.
Kena Bridge of Spirits Review: Finding the Way
The story follows Kena, a spirit guide, who arrives in a remote village in search of its legendary mountain shrine. However, something is seriously wrong in the village; it is infested with a plant-like corruption, and the inhabitants are nowhere to be found apart from two young children. As a spirit guide, Kena must bring peace to the lingering spirits of the villagers and help them cross the spirit realm.
Kena Bridge of Spirits draws inspiration from a variety of other games, from Breath of the Wild to Horizon Zero Dawn. You explore every part of the village and its surroundings as Kena tracks down three "relics" tied to the memories of each spirit she's trying to save. Adorable little creatures called Rot join Kena and are the main collectible in the game, as well as the main way to level up and get stronger.
The rot is easily one of my favorite aspects of the whole game as the little rogues follow you around and constantly spawn. They sit on shelves, dance on rocks, spin around Kena, and more. Kena's relationship with rot is symbiotic, and the game does a fantastic job of communicating that visually.
Of course, the Rot also plays directly into the game's combat system, which is intentionally simple yet dynamic. Kena has light and heavy attacks, and you can spawn a Smash Bros-style bubble shield. around her by holding down the block button. Those are the basics, but Kena does a fantastic job of layering new mechanics and abilities throughout the experience.
You'll unlock a Spirit Bow for ranged attacks, armor-piercing bombs, fast movement, and more. There's a nice variety of enemy types, but Kena really excels in her climactic boss fights.
Each of the penultimate enemies in the game feature a massive difficulty spike, and some of the late game bosses made me try a dozen times before I could finally overcome them. The majority of the boss fights seem well-designed mechanically, but there are a few that pale in comparison, such as the disappointing and frustrating final boss.
While there's a lot of combat through Kena, the crux of the experience revolves around exploring and solving puzzles, which Rot's and Kena's abilities also play into. When not being used to shoot enemies, the bow can activate crystals or function as a grappling hook in specific cases, while bombs can freeze rocks in place to create platforms.
Meanwhile, the Rot can be used to pick up and move objects, and some flowers turn the Rot into a controllable creature, similar to Pikmin. Not since Breath of the Wild have I played a game that's so rewarding in its exploration, whether you're discovering a new Rot buddy, a flower sanctuary, Soul Mail, or just enjoying a great view.
There's a real breadcrumb trail of rewards, and while the game's systems were what initially appealed to me, the story ended up doing the same.
Kena's narrative deals with some heavy emotional themes, such as coping with death and loss while trying to move on. The game tackles its themes with grace and also brings a diversity of characters to the table.
Part of what I enjoyed so much about Kena's story is that it doesn't get bogged down in exposition, but rather jumps right into its core issues and how they are resolved. The fantastic animation, both in-game and through pre-rendered cutscenes, only adds even more depth to the game's already moving characters.
The best word I can think of to describe Kena is wholesome. Its design feels a bit dated, but in a good way, and I couldn't help but smile for most of my playthrough. The game never overstays its welcome, and despite some obtuse puzzles and frustrating boss fights, it's an experience that does almost everything right. It might not do anything entirely new or shocking, but it's a comfortable experience that will feel immediately familiar.
If Kena Bridge of Spirits is Ember Lab's debut effort, I absolutely can't wait to see what their next project brings.
Kena Bridge of Spirits: The End Result
Benefits
- Stunning animation both in-game and in cutscenes
- Battle system that grows and improves dramatically
- Enriching exploration that feels natural
- A heartfelt story that gracefully tackles difficult materials
The inconvenients
- Some frustrating boss fights that don't measure up to the rest
- Obtuse puzzle design that can be difficult to figure out
Kena Bridge of Spirits is a magical adventure, even if it doesn't do anything entirely original. Its elements come together well, and it's jaw-dropping on PS5.
It harkens back to the days of PS2 platforms in the best way, and despite a few minor issues, it stands out as one of the best titles of 2021.
[Note: Ember Lab provided the copy of Kena Bridge of Spirits used for this review.]
