Kena: Bridge of Spirits

92%
Game Brain Score Based on 5,765 reviews
  • story
  • graphics
  • gameplay
Kena: Bridge of Spirits Game Cover
Kena: Bridge of Spirits is a fantastic modern fairy-tale on the PS5 with next-gen aesthetics!
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"Kena: Bridge of Spirits" is a single-player Fantasy Action game with a fabulous story and sensational graphics. As a Spirit Guide, Kena travels to an abandoned village, seeking a sacred shrine while uncovering the secrets of a trapped spirit population. Players can find and grow a team of spirit companions, the Rot, to gain powerful abilities, make discoveries, and transform the environment, while facing fast-paced combat against corrupt spirits.

  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Cloud
  • Epic Games
  • NVIDIA GeForce NOW
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
  • Xbox Game Pass
  • x_box_cloud_gaming
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

92%
Audience ScoreBased on 5,765 reviews
story1,455 positive mentions
optimization65 negative mentions
  • Stunning graphics and art style that resemble a Pixar movie.
  • Engaging and emotional story that explores themes of grief and healing.
  • Challenging yet rewarding combat mechanics that keep players engaged.
  • Combat can feel clunky and unresponsive at times, especially with parry mechanics.
  • Some puzzles and platforming sections can be overly simplistic or frustrating.
  • The game is relatively short, leaving players wanting more content.
  • story2,904 mentions

    The story of *Kena: Bridge of Spirits* is widely praised for its emotional depth and beautiful presentation, often compared to a Pixar film. Players appreciate the themes of grief and healing as Kena helps lost spirits find peace, although some feel the narrative could benefit from more character development and backstory. While the gameplay is engaging, the story's linearity and predictability are noted as potential drawbacks, yet many find the overall experience captivating and heartwarming.

    • “Kena: Bridge of Spirits is an amazing game, with a rich story about processing grief and letting go, a vibrant and beautifully animated world and characters, as well as very fun fulfilling gameplay.”
    • “It somehow managed to bring tears to my eyes in every single different climax of the story, and that says something about the game's writing, because I am not easily moved in such a way.”
    • “The story is heartfelt, exploring themes of healing and loss in a way that’s both emotional and accessible.”
    • “The story is decent, but I would appreciate more background on the main character, Kena.”
    • “The story is simple and carries a classic message, fitting perfectly with what we expect from a Disney animation.”
  • graphics1,836 mentions

    The graphics of "Kena: Bridge of Spirits" have received widespread acclaim for their stunning, Pixar-like aesthetic, which creates a vibrant and immersive world reminiscent of animated films. Players have praised the game's beautiful environments, detailed character designs, and smooth animations, often describing the visuals as breathtaking and a major highlight of the experience. While the graphics are generally well-optimized, some users noted performance issues on lower-end systems, but overall, the visual presentation significantly enhances the game's emotional storytelling and gameplay.

    • “The graphics, music, and sounds all come together well, though the Pixar style felt a bit out of place in a video game at first.”
    • “The game's graphics and art style are stunning, reminiscent of animated films – especially the cinematic cutscenes, which make you feel like you're part of an interactive movie.”
    • “The graphics are stunning, the world is wonderful, the story is unique and fun, the game runs smoothly.”
    • “The graphics, although it was samey all over, with only one shorter game section in a snow biome.”
    • “This works in the game's favor, as by the end, the visuals will no longer surprise you, and the gameplay mechanics might feel repetitive.”
    • “The visuals provide a strong aesthetic, but the bland gameplay and lukewarm story made me put this down after a couple of hours.”
  • gameplay1,448 mentions

    The gameplay in "Kena: Bridge of Spirits" is a blend of exploration, puzzle-solving, and combat, drawing comparisons to titles like "Zelda" and "Dark Souls." Players appreciate the visually stunning graphics and engaging mechanics, though some find the combat system, particularly the parry mechanic, to be inconsistent and challenging. Overall, while the gameplay is enjoyable and offers a variety of mechanics, it may feel somewhat basic or repetitive to some players, especially in terms of boss encounters and puzzle design.

    • “Gameplay feels like a mix of Zelda and Tomb Raider – with super pretty visuals, cute characters, loads of collectibles, and a somewhat deep and wholesome story.”
    • “The gameplay strikes a perfect balance between challenging combat and rewarding puzzles, while the companion rot creatures add a unique, delightful mechanic.”
    • “The gameplay is solid, leaning to the forgiving side, with a good balance of combat, exploration, and puzzle-solving.”
    • “The gameplay is incredibly mediocre.”
    • “The problem with this game begins and ends with its gameplay: it's just not very good.”
    • “I get what the devs were going for with this game but the gameplay felt very bland and basic and there were times while playing it I got bored and couldn't stay engaged with it.”
  • music1,037 mentions

    The music in "Kena: Bridge of Spirits" is widely praised for its exceptional quality and emotional depth, effectively enhancing the game's atmosphere and storytelling. Composed with influences from Balinese culture, the soundtrack beautifully complements the vibrant visuals and gameplay, creating an immersive experience that resonates with players. Many reviewers highlight the music as a standout feature, often comparing it to cinematic scores and noting its ability to evoke strong emotions throughout the game.

    • “The music is another highlight: it is beautifully composed and perfectly complements each situation, enhancing the emotional connection to the story.”
    • “The soundtrack is exceptional, with a score that complements the game’s emotional and mystical atmosphere.”
    • “The music wonderfully complements the setting—Pixar-level graphics infused with eastern vibes of spirits, mountains, forests, and waterfalls, reminiscent of Bali's landscapes.”
    • “The music got extremely grating after a while.”
    • “The combat and story and cutscenes and progression make for not the best platformer and the music isn't the best; however, it is relaxing.”
    • “There are not many negative things to say - the music can be a bit annoying due to its repetitiveness, and the final boss fight has so many stages that it became a bit annoying.”
  • emotional359 mentions

    The emotional aspect of "Kena: Bridge of Spirits" is widely praised for its heartfelt storytelling, exploring themes of loss, healing, and connection. Players report being deeply moved by the narrative, often shedding tears during key moments, and appreciate the game's beautiful visuals and music that enhance the emotional experience. While some critiques mention a lack of depth in certain areas, the overall consensus is that the game delivers a touching and memorable journey that resonates with players.

    • “The story is heartfelt, exploring themes of healing and loss in a way that’s both emotional and accessible.”
    • “The themes of loss, grief, and family were beautifully woven into the story, and it was impossible not to feel emotionally invested in Kena's journey.”
    • “The story is touching and heartfelt, this alone makes the game worth playing.”
    • “Combined with the empty world and boring story, I just couldn't get immersed in the game.”
    • “Things to dislike about this game: a pretty boring story and forgettable characters.”
  • optimization204 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players experiencing significant stuttering and frame drops, particularly in open-world areas and during intense combat sequences. While some users report smooth performance on high-end systems, others note persistent issues even on capable hardware, suggesting that the game suffers from poor optimization overall. Despite its stunning graphics and engaging gameplay, the inconsistent performance detracts from the overall experience for many players.

    • “The game is well-optimized, ensuring a smooth experience even on lower-end systems.”
    • “The graphics are stunning, the world is wonderful, the story is unique and fun, the game runs smoothly.”
    • “The game is polished and well-optimized, with smooth performance and minimal technical issues.”
    • “Suffers from poor optimization and micro-stuttering now and then.”
    • “The performance is very inconsistent; framerate cap is a must, even then some areas have really huge performance drops.”
    • “The game has unexpected bad performance that causes the graphics to instantly go high.”
  • atmosphere172 mentions

    The atmosphere of "Kena: Bridge of Spirits" is widely praised for its stunning visuals, enchanting soundtrack, and immersive storytelling, evoking feelings reminiscent of fairy tales and Pixar films. Players appreciate the vibrant colors and magical elements that create a captivating environment, although some note that certain gameplay elements can detract from the overall experience. Overall, the game is celebrated for its ability to blend beautiful aesthetics with a heartfelt narrative, making it a memorable adventure.

    • “The world is brimming with vibrant colors and magical elements, creating an atmosphere that’s both inviting and mysterious.”
    • “The emotional narrative, paired with an atmospheric soundtrack, makes the experience even more immersive.”
    • “Kena: Bridge of Spirits is a game brimming with beauty and atmosphere.”
    • “Don't be fooled by the charming design and atmosphere; the combat is quite demanding.”
    • “Beware though, that the relaxed atmosphere comes at the cost of complexity - the game features multiple different ideas that don't really develop much.”
    • “Im not saying every game should have a top notch cast of highly experienced voice actors, but in a game about atmosphere, storytelling, and a heavy plot supporting an emotional construct, having people sound super forced just didn't sit right with me.”
  • grinding73 mentions

    The reviews indicate that grinding in the game is often viewed as tedious and time-consuming, with many players feeling that it detracts from the overall enjoyment. While some appreciate the challenge and rewards associated with grinding, others find it repetitive and frustrating, particularly during combat and boss fights. Overall, the consensus suggests that while grinding is a significant aspect of the game, it can lead to a less engaging experience for many players.

    • “Although it's open world, it keeps things straight to the point, making exploration interesting and not tedious with backtracking totally optional.”
    • “This is nice because you can focus on the storyline without facing repercussions of not grinding enemies along the way.”
    • “This game is short, not grindy.”
    • “This game is incredibly tedious and unsatisfying.”
    • “While it's stunning, charming and surprisingly enjoyable to play, I found the final stretch of the game so focused on tedious combats that I didn't want to keep playing.”
    • “The combat is tedious and somewhat monotonous, as you'll be fighting wooden creatures over and over with repeating models and a never-ending strategy of just dropping small hordes of random minions at you rather than employing interesting mechanics.”
  • character development61 mentions

    Character development in the game is generally viewed as simplistic and lacking depth, with many reviewers noting that while the character designs are visually stunning and charming—often compared to Disney and Pixar aesthetics—there is little progression or complexity in the characters themselves. The narrative is described as light-hearted and straightforward, with some memorable character designs, particularly the adorable rot creatures, but overall, the character arcs feel unearned or anticlimactic. Despite this, the game's vibrant visuals and engaging world-building are frequently praised, making it an enjoyable experience even if character development is not a strong point.

    • “The character designs and animation are wonderful, and the cutscenes rival something out of a Pixar movie.”
    • “The character development of the spirits you save is very well done.”
    • “Character designs are remarkably captivating, charming, and super-expressive, with each model looking unique, and all are incredibly memorable.”
    • “It's definitely worth playing, just head in with the expectation of a very slow difficulty curve, and don't expect any character development from the player character.”
    • “The story is very simple, but fine - you'll not be playing the game for that, there's no major twists nor character development to be found, but it takes you through the spectacle well enough.”
    • “Character developments feel unearned and anticlimactic.”
  • stability51 mentions

    Overall, the game's stability is a mixed bag; while many players report smooth performance and minimal bugs, particularly on high-end systems and the Steam Deck, others encounter frustrating glitches, especially during platforming and boss fights. Common issues include getting stuck in geometry, camera control problems, and occasional freezing, but these do not seem to significantly detract from the overall enjoyment of the game. Despite some players experiencing more severe bugs, the consensus is that the game runs well for the most part, especially compared to other console ports.

    • “It runs great even on an old computer considering it was a next-gen game when it was released.”
    • “Runs great on Linux, and better than expected on the Deck.”
    • “Game runs great and looks amazing on PC.”
    • “I had a lot of glitches when it came to getting stuck in boss arena walls and just the ground as well.”
    • “On top of that, while the entire game ran in the 120-140 fps range for me even in heaviest combat, the final fight brings it down to 1-2 fps (not a typo, it actually freezes up for ~0.7s) during two specific attacks, meaning dodging these becomes entirely impossible.”
    • “It can be a little buggy at times, I've had a few instances where I got stuck after a boss hit in geometry that was supposed to be outside the arena.”
  • replayability38 mentions

    The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with some players finding value in collectibles, side quests, and a New Game+ mode that allows for different difficulty levels and challenges. However, many reviewers note that the linear plot and basic combat mechanics limit the desire for multiple playthroughs, making it more suitable for a single, enjoyable experience rather than extensive replayability. Overall, while there are elements that encourage exploration and achievement hunting, the replay value may not be substantial for everyone.

    • “The replay value is definitely there, especially for those who want to dive deeper into the story and world.”
    • “It also allows you to restart the game at any difficulty with all your abilities unlocked, so going back to achievement hunt, find those challenge chests, and puzzles you may have missed the first playthrough can add replay value to the game.”
    • “The game also features a variety of side quests and collectibles that add depth and replay value to the overall experience.”
    • “Replayability is low: the plot is still linear (although interesting in places), and the combat (although it is simple and interesting, but the number of techniques could be increased) and bosses do not cause a strong desire to repeat the passage, but the first try will be interesting and amazing.”
    • “There are collectibles and hidden areas that encourage exploration, but replayability might be limited once all secrets are uncovered.”
    • “And the fact is, there isn't much replayability in Kena once you have seen the whole of the story.”
  • humor34 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by a blend of cute and funny moments, particularly through the lovable rot companions who wear amusing hats and provide comic relief during gameplay. Players appreciate the lighthearted undertones amidst a deeper, more melancholic story, with humorous localization quirks and funny sound effects adding to the charm. Overall, the game successfully balances humor with its challenging gameplay, creating a delightful and endearing experience.

    • “It's funny, the undertone of the game is, to me, hopeful and positive, but when you stop to think about the story, it's soul-crushingly sad.”
    • “The rot are lovable, funny, and cute little things following you around.”
    • “Funny and cute.”
    • “There are some attempts at humor, but they often fall flat.”
    • “The jokes feel forced and rarely land, making the experience less enjoyable.”
    • “While there are moments of humor, they are overshadowed by awkward delivery.”
  • monetization8 mentions

    The monetization strategy of the game primarily revolves around microtransactions and in-game purchases, which some players find excessive, particularly during boss fights where ads are used to enhance gameplay mechanics. Despite this, the game's quality stands out in a market often filled with poorly executed titles reliant on such monetization tactics, and the integration of ads is noted to add tension and emotion to the experience.

    • “I saw no advertising for this game, but it is stellar and I have only just started.”
    • “There are a lot of boss fights that have ads running around the arenas to act as fodder to build the courage meter to allow you to perform power attacks to deal big damage.”
    • “In the sea of half-arsed, unfinished, crappy games stuffed with microtransactions, a game like this is really rare.”
    • “Some bosses seem to rely on spawning additional ads to make it harder instead of making the mechanics more interesting.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

83% average critic score

Buy Kena: Bridge of Spirits

Play time

11hMedian play time
16hAverage play time
10hMain story
20hCompletionist
5-24hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 33 analyzed playthroughs

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