Kena: Bridge of Spirits (Xbox Series X) Review – Spiritfarer

As a seasoned gamer with a soft spot for the Zelda series, I found myself drawn to Kena: Bridge of Spirits when it graced the Xbox consoles. With its enchanting art style and captivating animations, this game certainly stood out amongst its peers. However, as someone who’s not exactly tech-savvy, I can’t speak to any technical issues on the Xbox version.

You can read our original review of Kena: Bridge of Spirits for PlayStation 5 here.

Approximately three years ago, Ember Lab entered the gaming world with “Kena: Bridge of Spirits”, an enchanting and visually stunning action-adventure game that didn’t necessarily break records but certainly gained a devoted fanbase due to its numerous strong points. Previously exclusive to PlayStation consoles for three years, this game is now available on Xbox platforms, allowing players within Microsoft’s ecosystem to experience it for themselves and judge its quality. As expected, the port is well-executed, making it worth recommending to any Xbox gamers seeking a high-quality, semi-linear, traditional action-adventure game reminiscent of classic Zelda titles.

In the game titled “Kena: Bridge of Spirits,” you’ll find yourself stepping into the role of Kena, a spirit guide who arrives in a deserted village where a malevolent force has taken hold and is spreading. This force holds back the spirits of people who couldn’t move on due to unresolved past pains. As a spirit guide, your mission is to assist these individuals in finding peace and passing on, while also eradicating the corruption that has overtaken the village and its nearby lands. Your ultimate objective is to reach the mountain shrine towering above the village.

Without a doubt, it’s an impressive adaptation of a strong game, making it a straightforward suggestion for any Xbox gamers seeking a robust, semi-linear, traditionally styled action-adventure game reminiscent of the Zelda series.

In terms of storytelling, Kena stands out for doing numerous heartwarming actions. Many characters you encounter are charming, although some voices might seem a touch bland. Several character arcs can evoke strong emotions. However, the game has its flaws. For one, the main character Kena could be more engaging. Additionally, the narrative sometimes follows common patterns and predictable paths, even when it’s skillfully presented.

The visual charm of Kena: Bridge of Spirits truly shines! While its graphical fidelity is impressive, what truly sets it apart are its unique art style and high-quality animations. The game’s stunning, lively environments leave you in awe with their visual grandeur. The characters’ expressions and animations are filled with charm and personality. Even the tiny, enchanting creatures called Rot are endearing to behold. In many aspects, Kena demonstrates a powerful visual identity that showcases Ember Lab’s expertise in animation. When it first came out for PlayStation consoles and PC three years ago, I believed Kena: Bridge of Spirits was one of the most visually appealing and pleasing games available, and even now, I don’t think its charm has faded a bit.

While Kena: Bridge of Spirits generally performs well on Xbox Series X, I encountered occasional frame rate drops during gameplay. These drops weren’t frequent or severe enough to significantly impact the overall experience, but they might be noticeable to some players and potentially annoying. It’s unclear if this issue is exclusive to Xbox consoles, as my technical expertise is limited. However, I can say that it’s something worth keeping an eye on, and hopefully, the developers at Ember Lab will address it in a future update.

Kena: Bridge of Spirits (Xbox Series X) Review – Spiritfarer

As an ardent admirer, I must say that “Kena: Bridge of Spirits” not only maintains its authenticity but truly shines in aspects of artistry and animation. It’s these captivating visual elements that give the game such a vibrant and unique appeal.

In terms of gameplay, Xbox players can anticipate an action-adventure game reminiscent of the classic Zelda series with expansive linear layouts. To put it simply, Kena embodies a well-crafted game that’s content to stick to established paths. It seldom strays from conventional genres, eschews experimentation, or introduces novel elements not found in other games, instead seamlessly integrating familiar components and presenting them in predictable ways. The result is a gaming experience that may not offer any surprises, but certainly delivers enjoyment and engagement in abundance.

Essentially, Kena: Bridge of Spirits is a game that keeps things relatively simple yet engaging, without being overly complex. While it offers a lengthy playtime spanning more than a dozen hours, it streamlines many aspects to ensure the gaming experience isn’t shallow. The combat system, which stands out as the most active element, features diverse enemy types, Kena’s expanding array of moves and abilities, managing a growing horde of Rot creatures, clearing corruption during battles, and more. Battles can also present unexpected challenges, particularly when confronting key bosses. Although it doesn’t break new ground and may occasionally be hampered by stiff movement, combat in Kena is generally enjoyable.

In Kena: Bridge of Spirits, the vast open spaces don’t feel overwhelmingly large, yet there are numerous hidden pathways, forks in the road, extra rooms to discover, and so on. Solving light puzzles and delving deeper into exploration rewards you with a variety of items, such as currency, cosmetics, new Rot creatures, and more. The game maintains simplicity and familiarity in its exploration design, but it effectively executes these classic concepts to keep things interesting. However, similar to the combat, the somewhat clumsy movement can be a drawback. Basic actions like jumping, double jumping, grabbing onto ledges, and so forth, don’t always feel as smooth as they should.

Kena: Bridge of Spirits (Xbox Series X) Review – Spiritfarer

As a gamer, I found that Kena: Bridge of Spirits sticks with traditional elements in both exploration and design, yet manages to execute them effectively, making the game captivating.

Does Kena seem to lean towards a safer approach when it comes to gameplay design? Perhaps, but despite not introducing anything new or complex, it manages to provide an immersive gaming experience by skillfully executing its familiar concepts. However, I must point out that in terms of progression mechanics, Kena appears somewhat minimalistic, which is a aspect that becomes more apparent as you delve deeper into the game. This sparse approach to progression can cause the gameplay to feel static at times.

In essence, Kena: Bridge of Spirits stands as a strong choice for Xbox gamers, despite its minor imperfections. If you’re seeking innovative gameplay or unparalleled design, Ember Lab’s action-adventure might not tickle your fancy. However, if you’re drawn to a visually stunning environment, a tale well-spun (albeit predictable), and combat and exploration that are captivating, though occasionally rough around the edges, this game is certainly worth considering.

This game was reviewed on the Xbox Series X.

2024-08-12 02:11

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