Gamers were excited earlier this year to learn that a sequel to Kena: Bridge of Spirits is in development. Shortly after, Ember Lab announced the original Kena would be available on Nintendo consoles for the first time. The version for the Switch 2 includes the original game and its large Anniversary Update. It’s available to play today, March 26th, and I’ve had the opportunity to review an early copy.
Kena: Bridge of Spirits is an action-adventure game that looks charming, but don’t let that fool you! It features challenging combat inspired by the Souls series, along with platforming and puzzles that will really test your skills. On the Switch 2, the game looks fantastic and runs well. Even though it was released a few years ago, it feels like a classic Legend of Zelda game with updated graphics, making it a great fit for the Switch 2’s collection of action titles.
Rating: 4 out of 5
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Graphics look great on Switch 2, both docked & handheld | Some lag/frame rate issues in mid to late game areas |
| A heartfelt, story-driven action game on Nintendo for the 1st time | Combat can be frustratingly hard even on lower difficult settings |
| Engaging and varied gameplay feels satisfyingly old school | |
| Base game + anniversary update DLC upgrades feel worth the price |
Kena: Bridge of Spirits Brings an Old School Adventure With Modern Graphics to Switch 2
I didn’t get a chance to play Kena: Bridge of Spirits when it came out in 2021. So, starting it up on my Switch 2, I wasn’t sure what to anticipate. I was pleasantly surprised to find the gameplay reminded me of the classic The Legend of Zelda games I played as a kid. Even though Kena is relatively new, it captures the feel of those older action/adventure games, and that’s a good thing. Playing it on a Nintendo handheld just adds to the nostalgic experience.
Kena immediately puts you in the middle of the game, and it doesn’t offer a lot of guidance. You’ll learn the basic controls, but discovering where to go and what to do is largely up to you. This lack of hand-holding might be a bit challenging compared to many modern games. However, the gorgeous animations, which look fantastic on the Switch 2 whether you’re playing handheld or on your TV, often make you forget about any difficulty. At least, most of the time.
Sometimes the transitions between story scenes and gameplay feel a little awkward, though the animation quality is consistently beautiful. The game creates a really immersive world, with stunning forests and charming spirit companions who assist Kena. Performance was smooth for the first part of the game, but I noticed a few brief stutters when loading into larger, more detailed areas later on. However, these were minor, and overall Kena runs quite well on the Switch 2.
Even with a few small dips in performance, I quickly became absorbed in Kena. Unlike many games, it doesnāt hold your hand with quest markers. Instead, you have to explore and solve puzzles to find your way and figure out what to do. This makes the game feel really engaging and reminded me of the immersive experiences from games of the early 2000s. However, the stunning graphics and action-packed combat are very modern, and itās clear why a more powerful system like the Switch 2 would be helpful to run it smoothly on Nintendo consoles.
The Switch 2 Edition of Kena Is an Engaging, Well-Balanced Introduction to the SeriesĀ
It’s been five years since Kena was first released, and I believe the Switch 2 version might be the best way to play it. Even though it originally launched as a PlayStation exclusive, Kena feels surprisingly fitting for a Nintendo console. It reminds me of classic Zelda games, and its 3D animated style looks fantastic on the Switch 2. This edition also includes the Anniversary DLC and all its improvements, making it a perfect starting point for anyone new to the game.
A common criticism of Kena was its challenging combat, and it definitely lives up to that reputation. Thankfully, the Anniversary Update introduces new difficulty settings. Players who want to focus on the touching story and lovely world, filled with charming Rot creatures, can switch to a very easy story mode. For experienced gamers who enjoy the demanding, *Soulsinspired combat, there are challenging Trials and a New Game+ mode. This is a significant enhancement to the game, and itās great that itās available on Switch 2 from the beginning.
Despite its challenging fights, Kena also features a touching story that unfolds gradually as you explore. The payoff is well worth it, as each boss you defeat reveals another piece of the narrative. Plus, youāll gain more adorable Rot companions to help you on your adventureāand they even get to wear cute hats!
I really enjoyed playing this game on the Switch 2, and Iām excited to see what Ember Labs does with the next installment. Kena: Bridge of Spirits shows the Switch 2 is a great platform for action games and deserves more titles like it.
The game Kena: Bridge of Spirits is now available on Switch 2 for $39.99. We received a review code for Kena: Bridge of Spirits from the gameās publisher.
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2026-03-26 17:10