Kena: Bridge of Spirits Xbox Review
With thanks to the folks at Ember Lab I have been taking a look over their Xbox release of Kena: Bridge of Spirits. All impressions for our review today have been taken from Xbox Series X, but this one is available on last-gen consoles as well which is pretty nice.
As ever, my full video and extended written review for Kena is just below. If you’re wondering if Kena is any good on Xbox or if it’s safe for kids, read (or watch) on.
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The Basics – What is Kena: Bridge of Spirits About?
Available on: Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5
Price: c£28
Type: Thoughtful Action Adventure
Download: 21.4GB (Xbox Series X)
Kena: Bridge of Spirits has been out on PlayStation consoles and PC for a little while now. I’ve been really happy, though, to see it make the leap to Microsoft’s console platform. In this game, players take on the role of Kena, a young spirit guide, tasked with guiding troubled spirits from this plane and into the next world.
Kena is set around the overgrown ruins of a forgotten village. You’ll work to free the village from corruption, collect artefacts and help their spirit owners to release their grasp on this world. Gameplay takes the form of well-made but pretty standard action adventure gameplay, with light, heavy and ranged attacks, blocks and parries and fighting against creatures small and large.
You’ll also find new friends in The Rot, a gaggle of small (and outright adorable) creatures who will follow you around. The Rot wear many hats (quite literally) but overall they will help Kena to interact with the environment, clear corruption, and provide health and power boosts in battle. All of this, alongside typical upgrades and some light puzzle touches, will lead Kena along her journey to discover the sacred Mountain Shrine.
Is Kena: Bridge of Spirits Safe for Children?
Rating: Mostly Harmless.
Kena: Bridge of Spirits is rated by PEGI at 12 and above and by the ESRB at T for Teen.
It’s a fairly low rating here, and it’s one which is based mostly around combat. With the fantastical nature of the enemies and powers, It’s not something of particular concern and I’ve been happy for the Micro-Bandits to watch me playing Kena’s small and large fights.
When playing themselves, there may be some fearful elements here, with otherworldly creatures, but it’s nothing which our Micro-Bandits have had any issues with. With the nature of Kena’s role as a spirit guide there are considerations here for upsetting material but overall I’m rating it as mostly harmless.
The Run Down – Our Five-Point Rating for Kena: Bridge of Spirits
Gameplay – 4 : There are some really solid action adventure mechanics in here, augmented by new spirit powers. Combat and platforming will feel very familiar to action adventure fans and while that’s not necessarily a bad thing it does mean that things can feel a little samey at times.
Visuals – 5: Kena: Bridge of Spirits is one of the most beautiful games I have played. Visuals here on Xbox Series X have been flawless and the game also provides a solid photo mode as well to help players capture their adventure. Overall, Kena delivers the kind of graphics that I could have only dreamed about for years.
Audio – 5: Audio is another strong showing and whether it’s effects or voice acting, things here are very strong. It’s helped by a great script, but the audio is a good show all around, including great music to fit combat and platforming.
Narrative – 4: It’s tugged on my heartstrings and delivered a great story here. I’d have liked a little more information when starting the game, as players are thrown right into it without much preamble, and cut scenes can sometimes feel disjointed, but overall it’s a story which has given highs and lows, and a good narrative pull throughout the game.
Replay – 4: There’s a decent enough amount of stuff to explore and collect in game, including Rot, shrines and other optional bits and pieces, but I’d have liked to see a little more in terms of lore drops. In addition, most of the optional collectables here do have an impact such as increasing health of Karma, and finding new Rot friends
The Verdict – Is Kena: Bridge of Spirits Worth It?
Pixel Bandits spirit Level for Kena: Bridge of Spirits is a well-rounded 8 / 10.
In isolation, Kena has been a great adventure, and it’s boosted by some of the best graphics I have seen. While the combat and platforming don’t necessarily break much new ground, they have seen a solid construction, with flowing and joined-together combat.
It has been an adventure which I’ve enjoyed overall, even though it has felt a little overly familiar. It does what it does very well, but it feels a shame that the title doesn’t reach into the spirit world a little more to bring some more innovation to a fairly well-worn genre.
If you’re looking for a standard action adventure with a familiar feel, Kena is definitely one for you. While it won’t deliver too much for those looking for new mechanics, the Rot provide an absolutely adorable edge, and the visuals here are beautiful to look at.
As ever, to provide this review and common-sense parent’s guide, we received a free copy of Kena: Bridge of Spirits from the folks at Ember Lab.
