Ever since I first saw the announcement of this game, I expected an accessible, cozy adventure resembling a playable CGI animated feature. However, upon its initial release, the game revealed itself to be a fascinating hybrid: a classic mid-2000s action-adventure game dressed in modern visual grandeur, complete with surprisingly demanding combat mechanics.
As a debut title from an animation studio, the core ambition was clear: blend high-quality cinematic storytelling with tight melee and ranged action mechanics. It tries to bridge the gap between casual charm and challenging combat loops, creating a distinct identity that both charms and occasionally frustrates.
Let’s analyse my favourite points to review the game:
- Presentation & Atmosphere
The visual and audio direction is easily the strongest asset of the experience. Ember Lab’s background in animation shines through every frame: the character models are rich, the forest foliage feels alive, and the cutest companion spirits known as the “Rot” add incredible charm. The musical score blends traditional instrumentation with haunting orchestral arrangements, seamlessly elevating the mood as you restore corrupted land back to life.
While the world is visually mesmerizing, some environmental areas begin to rely on repetitive thematic assets, making distinct regions blend together after extended sessions.
Score: 2 / 2
- Engagement & Reactivity
On the surface, combat feels punchy and responsive. Whacking corrupted spirits with Kena’s staff offers a satisfying physical weight, and transitioning into precision bow shots or spirit bombs mid-combo creates a dynamic gameplay rhythm. When systems fire on all cylinders, parrying an enemy strike and countering with a Rot-infused attack feels genuinely rewarding.
Unfortunately, problems arise during bosses’ encounters. Parrying windows are notoriously strict and not always consistent, hampered by subtle hit-box alignment issues on larger boss enemy attacks. Furthermore, the camera movement struggles to keep pace with aggressive, off-screen enemies during chaotic encounters, leading to cheap hits that disrupt the overall flow of battle. This is specially true in higher difficulties, so good luck dealing with it.
Score: 1.5 / 2
- Value & Mastery
The skill tree and ability unlocks provide steady mechanical growth, turning Kena’s basic staff into a versatile tool for both traversal and combat control. Collecting hats for your Rot companions and discovering hidden shrines adds a pleasant layer of exploration. The boss encounters demand real mechanical engagement rather than mindless button-mashing, forcing players to master mechanics out of necessity.
And once the credits roll after 10–12 hours (if you’re not a completionist, you’ll find it short), there are some incentives to jump into a second playthrough in New Game +. Very fun, and the difficult spike is real, and keeps you playing for many more hours.
Score: 2 / 2
- Polish & Readiness
Frame rates remain mostly solid, even on PS4 during heavy fight scenes, loading times between fast-travel spots are swift, and the transition between pre-rendered cutscenes and real-time gameplay is visually seamless.
There’s only small visual glitches, occasional frame dips during heavy particle-dense explosions, and minor physics bugs (such as Kena getting momentarily snagged on geometry or Rot companions clipping through surfaces), but for the first game of an animation studio, I would say a lot of developers could learn from them.
Score: 2 / 2
- Respect & Structure
Progression is straightforward: tutorials are brief and short, and the map tracking is clear without feeling overly hand-fed. There’s also a lot of challenges and minigames throughout your gaming session, which can help you master the game and give you some extra content.
The main structural issue lies in its late-game pacing and difficulty curve. The game presents a jarring jump in challenge during its final act, shifting abruptly from a serene, puzzle-lite platformer into a punishing boss rush. If you’re on Expert or Master (the two harder difficult levels, the later only been available after your first playthrough), it feels like a Soulslike. And I’m not talking about an Elden Ring soulslike type. This is the real deal, that you make you sweat to get your platinum.
Score: 2 / 2
Bonus: Couch Co-Op
Given Kena’s heavy focus on her companion Rot spirits running alongside her throughout the adventure, the setup practically screams for a second player to step into a local co-op role. Sadly, the game is strictly single-player and offers zero local co-op functionality. But I understand that it would add a complexity for a new studio, so I’ll pardon them for it. I just hope the second game will include that.
Score: 0 points
Platforms & Versions: Where Should You Play?
Originally released as a console exclusive on PlayStation alongside PC, Kena is now playable on PC/PS4/PS5/Xbox One and Xbox Series.
- Eight Gen Consoles (PS4, Xbox One): some struggle, featuring reduced texture fidelity, lower resolutions, and occasional frame drops during particle-heavy combat scenarios. Still, if it’s the only way to play, go for it, it’s an amazing experience.
- Ninth Gen Consoles (PS5, Xbox Series): the ideal way to experience the journey, delivering tight 60 FPS performance modes that are practically mandatory for surviving tight parry timings. Also, the graphic is even more beautiful, so it’s worth a try.
My Verdict on the BEST Version: The PS5 / Xbox Series in 60 FPS Performance Mode is the definitive way to play, providing the crisp input responsiveness required for precise combat encounters.
2024 Edit: Kena expanded its horizons with an Xbox release now in August (Xbox One and Xbox Series).
My Verdict
Kena: Bridge of Spirits is an impressive debut effort that succeeds wildly in visual artistic direction while offering competent, if slightly unpolished, action-adventure gameplay. Beneath its gorgeous animation lies a surprisingly tough combat system that struggles slightly with balance and camera mechanics. It is a project crafted with genuine passion, ideal for players looking for a nostalgic, compact 3D action-adventure that does not overstay its welcome.
Final Score: 9.5 / 10
Badge: Vault Badge
It offers high-quality entertainment value, a charming setting, and an enjoyable weekend journey that lets you relax and appreciate stunning visual artistry without requiring deep long-term endgame commitment on Story or Normal mode. But it also offers some challenge when you need this.
Collection Showtime
I love this game, and I got it as a father’s day gift, so it will always belong to my heart.
