A couple of years ago, Ember Lab made an impact on the gaming scene with Kena: Bridge of Spirits. A beautiful 3D adventure, the game definitely struck a chord with fans. And it continues to do so today.
But now, after a lengthy wait, Xbox owners get a turn with the game. Bridge of Spirits has finally made its way to that platform. And it doesn’t miss a beat with its port, delivering all the fun and lovely visuals that come with it.
More could’ve been done with the story, especially on the spiritual front. And, sure, the level design is a bit straightforward compared to other games on the market. But Kena still has an extraordinary amount of content to offer. And fans of the platforming/3D adventure genre won’t get enough of it.
Let Kena: Bridge of Spirits Be Your Guide
In the game, you play Kena. She’s a Spirit Guide learning the art of her craft, in search of the mythical Mountain Shrine. But she isn’t making the journey alone, as she has spirits in tow. (You know, since she’s a guide and all.)
She calls upon the Rot, a group of adorable little spiritual beings that help her track down others. They also lend a hand in combat, particularly with finding key points that can help her turn the tide. It ties in with a gameplay system that works really well, especially with combat.
The battles against enemies here are really a lot of fun. You have to time your attacks and use certain elements to your advantage. But it’s innovative, and defeating an enemy is a very cool moment. And not one built on despair, either.
As for the rest of the gameplay, you’ll spend a good amount of time exploring and solving puzzles. It’s a bit simplistic compared to other games, due to its general design. However, fans of the genre aren’t likely to be disappointed. That’s because there’s heart in this craft, and it’s fun discovering new Charmstones to increase your abilities.
Plus, along with charming gameplay and lots to do, Kena: Bridge of Spirits also has other stuff. That includes a New Game + mode for those seeking a challenge, along with Spirit Guide Trials. So, combined with the general campaign, it has lots of content to its credit.
I just wish more was done with the general storyline. It’s serviceable, though a bit on the general side. This could’ve really been a key opportunity to talk more about the grandeur of spirits. But maybe that’s me thinking too far ahead. Sometimes a simple, elegant platformer is all we need.
And Kena: Bridge of Spirits definitely delivers there.
So Just How Good Does It Look?
We’re happy to note that Kena: Bridge of Spirits made the jump to Xbox completely intact. While there are times that performance issues can get in the way, it’s mostly a smooth affair. The frame rate is speedy enough, and does justice to the splendid world design. It just looks fantastic, especially going from dark to light. The use of colors is fantastic, and the animations are delightful.
On top of that, the music sounds like it fits right in with this world. Its use of themes, and how they change over the course of battle, is really something. The audio is good too, with good character themes and noises (those lovable Rot!) and awesome battle effects. Get yourself a headset for this one if you can.
I’m sure Ember Labs will continue patching things up now that the game is out. But upon our initial playtest, Kena: Bridge of Spirits fits right in with the best of the Xbox platforming endeavors. Again, fans of the genre will love what it has to offer.
Extend the Bridge To Your Game Collection
Sure, more could be done with the spiritual storytelling. And there are mild performance hiccups that could use smoothing over. But nearly two years after its initial release, Kena: Bridge of Spirits remains a pleasure to play.
The gameplay has a lot to offer, particularly with the innovative combat. And the world, while simple designed, is astounding to see unfold. Plus the Rot are so gosh darn cute that they’re hard to deny. They really are.
If you’re down for a classic platforming adventure – or just something to keep you busy – Kena: Bridge of Spirits is worth the conjure. Perfect it isn’t, but, hey, it’s got its spirits in the right place.
GAMERHUB RATING: 4 (out of 5) JOYSTICKS
Thanks to Ember Lab for the review code! The game is available now on Xbox, as well as PlayStation and Steam/PC!
