In a world seemingly dominated by first person shooters, online battle Royale’s and open-world fever dreams, Kena: Bridge of Spirits from Ember Lab offers a breath of fresh ‘turn of the millennium’ air. The enchanting platformer is a visual delight promising an emotional and immersive journey through a world steeped in magic and mystery. However, while the game offers plenty to marvel at, it does fall ever so short of the heights one might hope for from a title with such high artistic ambitions.

Kena: Bridge of Spirits is an excellent platformer let down by some odd narrative choices and uninspired gameplay.
Kena: Bridge of Spirits is an excellent platformer let down by some odd narrative choices and uninspired gameplay.

The moment gamers step into the world of Kena: Bridge of Spirits, they will be captivated by its visual splendour. The game’s art direction is nothing short of breathtaking, with lush, vibrant environments seemingly pulsing with life. The character designs are reminiscent of the best in animation too, drawing clear inspiration from Studio Ghibli and Pixar. Each scene is like a painting come to life, with a world filled with serene forests, ancient ruins, and tranquil villages. In many ways, booting up and playing the title feels nostalgically familiar to 2005’s Kameo: Elements of Power.

Perhaps most surprising, is how this small indie studio has managed to create a visually stunning title that remains thematically consistent. In so doing, the world, characters and overall environments create a cohesive visual narrative immersing players in the game’s magical and fantastical setting. This is by no means an easy feat, and Ember Lab should be applauded for having pulled it off so well. On this point, the game also includes a robust photo mode to ensure the visual splendour does not go to waste. This allows players to capture the game’s most beautiful moments in all of their glory.

Of course, as stunning as the visuals are, they are only one component of the title. Although Kena: Bridge of Spirits might be visually spectacular, the visuals do often feel more like an ultra white veneer masking any real lack of depth in gameplay and narrative.

Kena: Bridge of Spirits is an excellent platformer let down by some odd narrative choices and uninspired gameplay.

As the game’s name suggests, Kena: Bridge of Spirits is centred around a youth by the name of Kena, a spirit guide who helps troubled entities find peace. It is a calling bestowed upon the titular character after losing her father. Despite how the narrative can be touching in many ways, it does ultimately end up feeling rather superficial. Although the emotional beats are there, and the themes of loss, grief, and redemption are explored; the narrative simply does not dig deep enough to leave a lasting impact. Whereas titles like The Last of Us, Inside and Detroit Become Human exemplify what an emotional narrative can do, Kena: Bridge of Spirits merely skirts around similar ideas – almost as if afraid to really explore them, and preventing the title from being something truly special. With that said, the story unfolds over a relatively decent playtime of about 10 hours, which might be enough for some whereas others might find themselves wishing for more content or more meaningful side activities to extend the experience.

Unlike the engaging – if slightly superficial – narrative, the gameplay in Kena: Bridge of Spirits is a bit of a mixed bag. On one hand, it offers a well-rounded experience with a blend of combat, exploration, and puzzle-solving. On the other, it plays things too safe, sticking to well-trodden mechanics without much innovation to stand out in an arguably saturated action-adventure genre. Basically, combat is competent, if also predictable.

Players wield Kena’s staff, which can be used for melee attacks, to shoot spirit arrows, or to trigger magical abilities like explosive bombs. The combat system is built around a familiar loop of light and heavy attacks, dodges, and parries. While the introduction of new abilities throughout the game adds some variety, the overall combat experience remains largely the same from start to finish. There is nothing inherently wrong with the combat – it is functional and can be engaging – but it never quite reaches the level of excitement or depth that might elevate it above other titles in the genre (in the way Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart has done). There is also the issue of inconsistent hit-box detection, leading to some frustration during more challenging encounters.

Kena: Bridge of Spirits is an excellent platformer let down by some odd narrative choices and uninspired gameplay.
Kena: Bridge of Spirits is an excellent platformer let down by some odd narrative choices and uninspired gameplay.

Thankfully, the exploration aspects of the game fare better when out of combat. The world is semi-open, allowing players to explore different biomes as they progress through the story. These areas are filled with light platforming challenges and puzzles, which are often tied to the game’s main objective of cleansing corrupted areas. The puzzles are well-designed and generally enjoyable, but rarely challenging enough to truly test the player’s problem-solving skills. As mentioned, they are all visually stunning though.

One of the more unique aspects of Kena’s gameplay are the Rot – small, adorable spirit companions who assist Kena in various ways. The Rot can be used to solve puzzles, distract enemies in combat, and cleanse corrupted areas. They add a layer of charm and whimsy to the game, and their inclusion is one of the more innovative aspects of the gameplay. However, much like the rest of the game, their potential feels under-utilised. While they are endearing and serve as useful companions, they do not significantly alter the gameplay in ways making them feel essential to the overall experience. More a ‘nice’ to have than ‘must’ have companions.

The game does offer some replayability in the form of a New Game+ mode, various difficulty levels, and a host of collectibles scattered throughout the world. However, the core gameplay loop does not change significantly, so players who are looking for a fresh experience on subsequent play-throughs may find themselves disappointed.

Perhaps where Kena: Bridge of Spirits truly excels is in the game’s audio design. It features a beautiful symphonic soundtrack, perfectly complementing its magical world. The music is atmospheric and emotionally resonant, adding depth to the game’s quieter moments and intensity to its more action-packed sequences. The sound design is equally impressive, with environmental sounds and effects helping to immerse players in the game’s world. Despite the obvious care taken to bring the world to life, the voice acting does leave a fair bit to be desired. While the performances are generally competent, they lack the emotional weight and nuance needed for the story’s somewhat heavy themes. This can make some of the game’s more poignant moments feel less impactful than they otherwise rightfully should.

Kena: Bridge of Spirits is an excellent platformer let down by some odd narrative choices and uninspired gameplay.

Kena: Bridge of Spirits shines brightly in some areas while falling short in others. Its visuals and art direction are among some of the best in the industry, creating a world that is as enchanting as it is beautiful. The game’s audio design, particularly its soundtrack, is also top-notch, adding to the overall immersion and emotional impact of the experience. However, when it comes to gameplay and narrative, the game plays it too safe. The combat, while competent, lacks the depth and variety needed to keep it engaging over the course of the game. The story, while touching, does not delve deep enough into its themes to leave a lasting impression. While the game offers a solid and enjoyable experience, it simply does not push any boundaries or offer anything particularly new or innovative. Ultimately, Kena: Bridge of Spirits will appeal to fans of action-adventure games, particularly those who appreciate beautiful visuals and atmospheric worlds. It is an easy to recommend game based on presentation alone, but it is also a one that could have been so much more. With a bit more ambition in its gameplay and storytelling, Kena: Bridge of Spirits could have been a genre defining masterpiece.

Verdict:

GOOD

PROSCONS
Absolutely gorgeous to look at and wander throughUninspired gameplay
The Rot are cute and make puzzles funMisses the mark, narratively
Incredible audio design

Title reviewed on Xbox Series X with code supplied by Ember Lab.

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Kena: Bridge of Spirits is an excellent platformer let down by some odd narrative choices and uninspired gameplay.
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Owner, founder and editor-in-chief at Vamers, Hans has a vested interest in geek culture and the interactive entertainment industry. With a Masters degree in Communications and Ludology, he is well read and versed in matters relating to video games and communication media, among many other topics of interest.