Kena: Bridge of Spirits

I've been really anticipating this game and was blown away by the gameplay and graphics. The only reason this isn't a 9 or a 10 is because how short the game is. Other then that it's a masterpiece.

One of the most beautiful games that I've ever played, its art design its an 10/10. The combat and the boss fights are hectic, the music and gameplay, are really fun and wild (especially if you play it on hard mode, how a did it, in my first game). The music makes you feel like being in a fantasy world. The story could be better, but the rest of the game is f* precious.

I'm gonna take a special part of this review to talk more about the art design, every location on this game feels like and piece of art. The green colors of the woods and that sunshine, makes a beautiful illumination, made me wanna use the photographic mode every minute, I can't have enough pictures of this game.

To talk about this beautiful experience, first I had to tell the whole anecdote:

Everything took place a year ago, during a time when all of us have watched Youtubers top lists of 2021 new up coming games; and then all of sudden, a certain game caught my attention (Kena Bridge of Spirits).

It's graphic, and it's small gameplay (back then, since it was just a clip from a trailer), that's what I was attracted of it.

Today I finished it, and honestly to those of you who want to play a new fantasy-action game; this one is for you.

Kena: Bridge of Spirits is an enchanting action-adventure game that takes you through an emotional journey of helping lost spirits find peace. As a spirit guide named Kena, you embark on a mission to heal a village overtaken by dark forces. The game's story is bittersweet and emotionally charged, revolving around the spirits' struggles to move on from their past. While Kena is the protagonist, her backstory is largely left in the shadows, with only vague hints scattered throughout the narrative. Still, the hauntingly beautiful world and its themes of redemption make for a captivating experience.

The gameplay is straightforward yet elegantly designed. Players engage in exploration, puzzle-solving, combat, and various upgrades to unlock new abilities and progress through the story. The game is a blend of action and adventure, reminiscent of The Legend of Zelda series, with its focus on skill progression and boss battles.

Combat is simple in concept but challenging in execution. You have a basic set of attacks: light, heavy, and ranged. However, even on normal difficulty, the fights can be brutally difficult. The real challenge comes from managing your health since there's no way to heal mid-combat, making it very difficult to avoid taking damage. The rots, little spirit companions that follow Kena, are key to easing the difficulty. They not only help in combat but also in solving puzzles and navigating the world. But of course, the game takes a twist where you may feel overly dependent on them, making their absence more noticeable.

Arguably the best aspect of Kena: Bridge of Spirits are the rots. These little creatures are irresistibly adorable, and they play an essential role in both gameplay and emotional attachment in the game. They assist in various tasks, such as carrying items, creating platforms, or triggering mechanisms for puzzles. Other than that, they can be customized with cute hats and masks, adding a personal touch. Their role in combat grows as you unlock new abilities for them, and they truly become a vital part of your journey.

Overall, Kena: Bridge of Spirits is a stunning game that's perfect for newcomers like me. Its design is absolutely breathtaking. While the puzzles are challenging and the combat may not be the strongest aspect, the story delivers powerful themes of heartache, growth, and redemption. I would recommend this game to anyone looking for something fun yet challenging to play. 7/10.

Kena is a game that you cannot miss. It's amazing that Epic has given these smaller studios the tools to enable their true potential giving them the chance to get under the same spotlight as bigger studios. More and more of these indie studios are popping up out of the shadows and it's great to see.

Kena is a game that always makes you feel happy and you can't help but smile whilst playing it. Everything feels really smooth and well thought out. The mechanics are really good, the story is really good and all the characters work really with the game aswell. The voice actors all did a great job. You can tell when playing a game when all the people involved were pationate and enjoyed what they were working on and that is clear with Kena.

I would keep a close eye on this studio and wait to see what else they got in store for us!