Kena: Bridge of Spirits (2021)

Every single moment of Kena: Bridge of Spirits is simply wonderful. Very few games are as pleasing to the eyes, and coming from an indie studio – making its very first game, of all things – that's something quite remarkable. Even more remarkable is that Kena isn't simply a visual showcase, either. It's challenging, fun to play, and has a world teeming with life. It also tells a fantastic story, and there's plenty to do even when the credits have rolled. Kena: Bridge of Spirits truly is something special, and I can't wait to see what Ember Lab does next.

Esta primera review tiene como único objetivo explicar porque este juego me recuerda a juegos plataformeros de PSX y por lo tanto lo convierte instantáneamente en un punto débil para mí. Pero empecemos por el principio.

Kena: Bridge of Spirits es un juego de acción aventura, donde el combate y el plataformeo son el principal gameplay. El estudio Ember Lab antes de desarrollar Kena era exclusivamente un estudio de animación, y es algo que se nota y se agradece visualmente durante todo el juego.

Hechas las presentaciones, lo primero que notas en el mando es un control muy satisfactorio. Especial mención al doble salto, que te permite cambiar la dirección en mitad del aire de forma sencilla, de cara a las secciones de plataformas esto da mucho juego y espacio a recuperaciones en mitad del aire. Tenemos también una esquiva muy amable con los i-frames para los combates.

Sobre el combate, Alexelcapo (chupito cada vez que mencione a este señor) mencionaba que el sistema de combos era insuficiente, limitado a una secuencia de ataques básicos y otra de ataques fuertes con un par de adiciones, además del arco y las bombas, las opciones de combate desde una distancia segura con menor daño. Aunque es cierto que el sistema es sencillo, no veo eso como un problema en realidad por el tipo de juego que es Kena. Desde el principio he tomado este juego como un plataformero, un collect-a-thon incluso, una especie de Spyro o Banjo-Kazooie con todo el tema de la búsqueda de los rots y coleccionables a los que tampoco les doy mucha importancia pero si que eran agradables de encontrar. Este tipo de juegos tiene combates, pero no es su principal atractivo, y si que en Kena tiene más importancia este aspecto que en otros juegos de ese género, pero cumple sobradamente dando un sistema que no deja de ser entretenido en ningún momento. En esto veo similitudes con Rayman 2, donde el combate existía, era una parte del gameplay, pero hacía un buen trabajo siendo divertido y dejando las sorpresas a las mecánicas de los distintos enemigos y bosses que giraban un poco la simplicidad de los golpes con formas únicas de atacarte y defenderse. Soy consciente de que este juego toma mucha inspiración en la saga The Legend of Zelda, pero no es precisamente la que más conocida tengo, por sí os suena más las mecánicas únicas de bosses a las aventuras del héroe vestido de verde.

Si tuviera que sacarle alguna pega al combate sería la existencia de una herramienta dominante. El “Martillo rot” es un golpe cargado que cuesta una carga de habilidad que se rellena golpeando enemigos, y la cantidad de daño que puedes hacer con este golpe es tanta que deja al resto de habilidades similares bastante por detrás, incluso al propio set de ataques básicos, por lo que vas a querer cargarla lo más rápido posible y utilizarla todo el rato, creando un bucle que si puede hacerse algo repetitivo si no te fuerzas a alternar estrategias a otras peores en la mayoría de casos. Existe un pequeño esfuerzo por parte del juego en solventar esto, enfrentándote a enemigos resistentes a este golpe o voladores, a los que casi nunca podrías siquiera alcanzarlos. Pero sigue siendo un problema pese a ello.

Otro aspecto en el que la progresión no ha sido tan agradable ha sido en el sistema emblemas. Los emblemas son mejoras que encuentras ocasionalmente escondidas por el mapa. El problema es que me ha dado una sensación similar a la del “Martillo rot”, una vez encontré la primera que te permite recuperar más salud en combate y aumenta tu daño, el resto que solían ser mejoras de daño a costa de perjuicios como recibir más daño o perder energía para habilidades me parecían siempre opciones peores, por lo que solo he jugado con la primera la mayor parte del juego.

La siguiente parada es el mundo de Kena, tanto a nivel artístico como en estructura. En cuanto a lo artístico hay algo que me gusta decir de los videojuegos, y es que simplemente es perfecto en lo que busca ser. Cuando una dirección de arte toma un camino muy concreto, en este caso una animación prácticamente de película infantil, y sabe aprovecharla al extremo e incluso plasmarla de detalles, simplemente es perfecta. Y los detalles se ven en las interacciones con el entorno. Todo brilla si puedes interaccionar con ello, todo tiene un aspecto reconocible para saber las opciones que tienes solo con verlo. Incluso tienes esos momentos de “aquí debe haber un secreto” solo observando el entorno, aunque esto es más mérito de la estructura de niveles. Kena se divide en tres partes, y cada una de ellas en tres pequeños segmentos más, cada uno con un boss o semi-boss. Terminar cada uno de los sub-segmentos se siente como un nivel independiente, lo que ayuda mucho a una progresión cómoda. Además, estos niveles, lineales en su mayoría con enfrentamientos recurrentes intercalando secciones de plataformas, forman un bucle jugable muy divertido con el que no llegas a cansarte de ninguno de los dos aspectos.

Un último problema del juego, relacionado con la estructuras de los niveles, es cierto que en ocasiones no tienes del todo claro por donde avanzar. Todo el paisaje es un bosque precioso y hay veces que el fondo puede parecer un camino a recorrer, y acabas chocando con incómodas paredes invisibles. Incluso en una ocasión forzando el querer ir hacia un lugar inaccesible acabe estancado y tuve que cargar partida para salir de donde me había quedado atrapado. Este y unos muy eventuales fallos visuales (rots caminando en el aire o por el agua) han sido los únicos bugs que he encontrado, nada ni mucho menos que empañe la experiencia de juego.

Me ha encantado Kena: Bridge of Spirits, recorrer su bosque con un arte como para hacer capturas de pantalla cada dos pasos, sus combates, con bosses que voy a tardar en olvidar por la épica de los enfrentamientos y su secciones de plataformeo que siempre van a ser un placer para mí, especialmente cuando controlar a tu personaje se siente tan fácil, me han dado unas 15 horitas de un juego y una historia que recordar con mucho cariño. Ojalá en un futuro volver a controlar a la guardiana de espíritus en otras aventuras y por supuesto lo recomiendo mucho, si te entra por los ojos te entrará mucho más con el mando en las manos.

For being the first game form Ember Labs, it’s really good. It is beautiful from photos to cut scenes and in game action.

The music is amazing and definitely a soundtrack I imagine I’ll be able listening to in the future.

The map/world works well in both a large world feel but an easy to explore adventure, it never feels over bearing. I could only imagine how much they improve thsi area in a second game. Hopefully the UI and Menu stuff stays simple and clean moving forward.

The story is beautiful, tell of love and family and even a bit of friendship. It doesn’t go super deep into any of the characters overall but the balance it walks worked really well for me. I also thought having the brothers as the first part of the game was a great starting point.

The rot are awesome little nods to Pikmin that I could no doubt seeing them improve upon moving forward. I also loved all the masks and hats you could unlock for them, super cute.

Gameplay was my biggest issue, at first it feels pretty sluggish or just slow. But I did grow with it. However in one of the final areas I did have some issues with the platforming that just felt like I was being too slow character wise for. But I also suck at gaming so that doesn’t help haha.

The battle system is pretty basic, has a dark souls vibe with the parry system/dodging, as well as with the difficulty which I kept mine on story mode and still died at times. The battle stuff improved, as did the whole game with the more stuff unlocked liek the bow.

Overall I really enjoyed the game and look forward to ember labs next game.

Beautiful game with outstanding visuals, music and ambience marred by generally bad encounter design and lack of combat depth. The strange focus on analog stick based aiming (why make arrows and bombs more useful and reliable tools then your melee) make me feel like this game is better played on keyboard and mouse, which has to be the most incongruous design I can imagine for a platforming souls-like. The poorly designed encounters are frustrating and unsatisfying (you don't really have the tools to effectively engage many foes at once? --> better design every single fight as an chaotic scrum of multiple enemies so you have to run around and kite constantly, more like doom then zelda or dark souls).

The bosses, which should be features of a souls-like game, are generally ruined by the bizarre focus on infinite spawning adds... did the devs know that you can have a builder/spender special moves system where you build up your moves metacurrency by hitting the boss itself.. say, like every other decent game ever made, rather than just constantly spawning annoying enemies off screen that provide no experience, progress or sense of accomplishment?

Could have been a brilliant, beautiful and satisfying experience but the fundamental nuts and bolts of the combat system are flawed to the point that I gave up on the game halfway through.

**I played the game on the hardest difficulty, with this review coming from the perspective of someone interested in a souslike (souls-adjacent) experience.

Starting with the positives.

This game is just oozing with charm. The sprites and characters are great, the scenery is amazing and the mechanics you can play with the Rot are just great.

But, all of that will only get you so far if the combat in the game, that it forces you to do, is wretched.

I'm bouncing off this for now, but maybe I'll return to try it again some day.

~David.

This game is beautiful, and I don't just mean graphics wise. Yes, the scenery is stunning and the animation for these characters is equally so. The story is just as beautiful. I wasn't expecting it at all. I went into this thinking it would be a cute little game about helping spirits with your adorable little friends the Rot. And it is that, but it is so much more. The story has a depth to it and the characters are wonderfully composed. I found myself crying over the first spirit's journey.

The gameplay is fun and can be a little challenging at times (in a good way). I enjoyed exploring and trying to find hidden treasures. There's a lot I didn't find and plan to do a completionist run with the New Game + (or as much as I can, that is). This is a game I can definitely enjoy again and again.

Kena's visuals and animation have earned a lot of acclaim, and it's easy to see why. The world and its characters are impressively well realized, bursting at the seams with emotion and detail. It's a great example of how games are starting to brush up against the visual standards set by animated films, which is really exciting.

In terms of gameplay, Kena mixes a lot of familiar elements. The platforming and absence of traditional level barriers feel like Jak and Daxter, the puzzles feel like Zelda, and the combat takes some inspiration from Dark Souls. I was nervous about that last point, but playing in Story Mode I found the combat consistently fun.

I have mixed feelings about the game's collectibles. I adored finding the Rot, Rot Hats and Spirit Mail on my first pass of an area and wanted to find the rest, but backtracking through certain areas was such a pain I eventually gave up.

Overall, I had a really good time playing Kena: Bridge of Spirits. I'm definitely interested in whatever Ember Labs may cook up next.

Kena: Bridge of Spirits is a good game but could've been better with more innovative gameplay. The game is absolutely gorgeous though and the cutscenes are Disney/Pixar quality although framerate is kinda choppy. It's a fun game just doesn't bring anything new to the table other then amazing graphics

Screenshot Dump

Gameplay: 7

• Cool Pikmin like critters to collect that help throughout the game
• Standard platforming/combat gameplay similar to zelda but with less gadgets and variety
• Collect weapons to upgrade and hats to dress up the critters that follow you -Combat on normal and above can actually get fairly difficult/unbalanced. Some fights are akin to dark souls

Story: 7

• Story was fine but nothing spectacular, not as emotional as it's meant to be although story can get dark
• Cutscenes are movie quality but not engaging
• Good voice acting for the lines that are there

Graphics: 9

• Amazing graphics is where this game shines especially on the PS5 with added controller immersion
• Great use of neon blue lighting that resonates with your abilities and staff, lighting up caves and other environments
• Very cute aesthetic like a Disney movie

Soundtrack: 8

• Great soundtrack for what it is, nice jungle/mystical tones to fit the game
• Can get stale, doesn't change too much throughout the game
• Ability and combat sounds are crisp and impactful

Kena: Bridge of Spirits is not a bad game. However, it is a very disappointing one considering the comparisons I've heard people make between it and The Legend of Zelda series. One website went as far as saying that this game is the real 35th anniversary celebration of the Zelda series since Nintendo merely released a half-assed remaster of Skyward Sword. I'll give them this: Kena is like an homage to Zelda except the gameplay differences are bad. It is much simpler and less captivating than a Zelda game is, and a major issue is in the narrative.

You start the game thrust into a cave with no explanation as to why you are there or what you are supposed to do. You are never given a reason for anything about Kena before the game. It essentially copies the opening of the first Legend of Zelda. The game's main story is that you get out of the cave and see two boys/spirits in the forest and decide to follow them. When you finally catch up they state their problem and that they'll help Kena reach the Mountain Shrine in exchange for your help. That's it. Everything afterwards in this game is you helping other people simply because it's the right thing to do rather than anything else. Kena has no character development herself, there are very few other characters to talk to or interact with, and the world doesn't have much to really pull you in. The lack of any sort of characters to help immerse you into the world of Kena and the lack of any real reason for what Kena does or any character development for her is one of the game's two monolithic weaknesses.

Every location you go to is deserted, desolate, and quiet. There is no one to help you get into the game and interested in what is happening because nothing is happening. You basically go to one area, solve some extremely simple puzzles, fight a bunch of bad guys by spamming R1 (light attack), rinse, and repeat. While you do learn a few new abilities throughout the course of the game (shooting an arrow, an energy bomb, and dashing), they don't do much except make the puzzles slightly harder in exchange for giving you a new way to approach and solve said puzzles. They can help in fights, but again you will mostly be spamming the R1 button to fight. Unlike Zelda, you are forced to fight enemies and many at a time. This unfortunately makes combat painfully repetitive and dull because it's forced encounters of button mashing. On the rare occasion where you do need to get creative with fighting (one or two boss fights require it), you can parry by pressing L1 at the exact right moment. Be warned: this is very finicky and unreliable. The penultimate boss of the game was a major challenge for me because I believed parrying was the key to defeating him. A guide on Gamespot gave me some tips that helped me pull it off using other methods, but combat in this game is the second of Kena's two big weaknesses.

This game is fun to play and the graphics are beautiful. The environments are beautiful green with flowers and rivers and all sorts of fun to get you sucked into the world. But the lack of any real reason for doing anything except "because you want to" and the lack of any real characters makes this game feel dead in a sense. I don't care to find all of the remaining rot/hats/etc. because I don't care to run around for the sake of getting the trophies. Having finished the game I still don't understand what Kena wanted to do to begin with besides "get to the Mountain Shrine."

In short, this game is fun but the gameplay is where everything falls short. If a stronger narrative had been made then I would like the game better. However, it just tries to be an homage to Zelda and fails so miserably. While I do recommend you play the game to make your own decision (I am being quite harsh), I highly recommend you borrow the title from a friend or get this cheap. Don't pay $50 for this. It's too short and simply fails to pull you into this gorgeously designed world to be worth the money.

More of this please Ember Labs, Kena took a little while to get going but once the game started branching out I was hooked. The story is intriguing and had me interested in the backstory and the characters whilst some only had a brief stay, they left there mark. The gameplay Is rather simplistic but the way most of the abilities I unlocked had it's purpose, it kept combat fresh, and hunting collectibles felt meaningful, except those rot hats, somewhat humorous but not worth going out of my way to look for them. A waypoint for the main map would of been a nice addition also. There were some awesome boss fights as well, often demanding a change in tact which I appreciated, I'll ignore the torrid time I had with the final boss however, gauntlet fights aren't my thing. My experience was topped off with some of the most gorgeous, colourful visuals I've seen with fantastic character animations, and a impactful soundtrack to go with it.

Visually Stunning game with beautiful cutscene animations. I see alot of people complaining about the voice acting but i felt it to be really good in this one, especially kena's voice. Kena's character itself is very much likeable,i instantly fell in love with her,,if only we could get more of her story.

Story wise it starts off really well but then u kind of can predict the pattern.Same goes with gameplay,really good at the start but then becomes repetitive.Still its really enjoyable throughout becz of its beautiful world and short length.Combat is surprisingly challenging and there are plenty of not so bad puzzles.Overall its a really sweet game with some issues in between.Considering this is their first game,I have huge hopes from this studio.

When I saw the first trailer of Kena it sold me. I knew I was gonna get this game and play it. The polish was phenomenal looking and the graphics, which looked like I was going to play a Pixar movie, really made my eye holes happy.

Then I started playing. My first reactions were all great. Felt good to be in this Asian inspired world. As I continued on I realized that this game is basically just a other 3D action game. Nothing super special about it and no unique systems that hooked me hard. That's not to say anything is bad, it's actually all done quite well, it just felt like more of the same.

Once I reached the first....BIG...boss I quickly found out this game was unbalanced. It went from a moderately difficult game to Dark Souls. I almost rage quit on that boss so many times. But I persevered. I bested him. Continued on an each subsequent BIG boss was a horrible pain. I feel like I should state I don't mind difficult games, but this felt like it was giving me a moderately difficult game and then gave me something else. It felt unfair I. It's execution. And got really frustrating.

The music was great though. The graphics were beautiful. Some glorious sights to behold. And the voice acting was good, even if the lip syncing was off, which was painful to watch at times.

Overall I did enjoy this game, but not as much as I was anticipating. I will eagerly await Ember Labs next game though as this dev has a LOT of potential.

PROS

• Attractive art style and impressive animations
• Surprisingly challenging and intense combat
• Lots of environmental puzzles and hidden collectibles make exploration rewarding
• Relaxing, transportive soundtrack enhances the slower moments
• Well thought out move set makes every mechanism feel meaningful

CONS

• Amateurish voice acting undercuts the otherwise high production value
• Plot loses steam after the first act