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Kona

Kona is a story based game worth telling, combining aspects such as narrative world-building and free-flowing gameplay. This title cannot be overlooked.
Kona Game Cover
77%Game Brain Score
story, atmosphere
grinding, stability
82% User Score Based on 1,917 reviews
Critic Score 73%Based on 14 reviews

Platforms

Nintendo SwitchPlaystation 5Playstation 4Xbox Cloud GamingXboxSteam DeckWindowsPlayStationPlaystation VitaLinuxXbox Series X|SPCCloudMac OSXbox One
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Kona Game Cover

About

Kona is a single player open world action adventure game with horror and mystery themes. It was developed by Parabole and was released on March 17, 2017. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and positive reviews from players.

"Kona is a chilling interactive tale set in 1970s Northern Canada, where a detective, Carl Faubert, investigates strange events and vandalism at a rich industrialist's hunting manor. As a blizzard ravages Atamipek Lake, Carl becomes trapped and must battle harsh elements to survive while uncovering the area's eerie secrets in this suspenseful first installment of a four-game series."

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Kona screenshot
Kona screenshot
Kona screenshot
Kona screenshot
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82%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,917 reviews
story543 positive mentions
grinding34 negative mentions
  • The atmosphere is immersive and chilling, effectively capturing the essence of a snowy Canadian wilderness.
  • The story is intriguing, with a strong narrative that unfolds through exploration and environmental storytelling.
  • The game features a unique blend of survival mechanics and detective work, making for an engaging experience.
  • The ending feels rushed and unsatisfying, leaving many plot threads unresolved.
  • The inventory system is cumbersome, making it difficult to manage items effectively.
  • Frequent loading screens disrupt the flow of gameplay, breaking immersion.
  • story
    1,307 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story of *Kona* is a slow-burning mystery set in a snowy Canadian town, where players take on the role of a private investigator piecing together clues about the town's dark secrets and supernatural elements. While many players appreciate the atmospheric storytelling and engaging narrative, some criticize the pacing and abrupt ending, feeling that the story could have been more cohesive and satisfying. Overall, the game is recommended for those who enjoy exploration and narrative-driven experiences, despite its occasional flaws in gameplay and story structure.

    • “The story unfolds slowly as you explore, gather clues, and piece together what’s really going on.”
    • “It’s a lovely mystery game that takes its time and works best if you enjoy calm investigation, environmental storytelling, and a strong sense of place rather than fast-paced action.”
    • “A cozy and intriguing story with a charming yet eerie plot that sticks with you.”
    • “The story is flat, and the slow pace makes it hard to stay interested.”
    • “The gameplay is very simple, as I said, it's mostly a walking sim, with some driving to get you places, and looking for clues to piece together the story.”
    • “The story ends abruptly and the ending makes no sense.”
  • atmosphere
    498 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere in "Kona" is widely praised for its immersive and chilling depiction of a desolate, snowy Canadian landscape, effectively capturing feelings of isolation and mystery. Players appreciate the game's strong environmental storytelling, atmospheric sound design, and the unique blend of survival and detective elements that enhance the overall experience. However, some critiques mention that while the atmosphere is compelling, the gameplay can feel slow or repetitive, and the narrative may not always deliver a satisfying conclusion.

    • “The atmosphere is stunning as you progress through the game.”
    • “Kona pulls you into the immersive and chilly atmosphere of northern Canada, an all-out must play if you're into investigative genres.”
    • “The atmosphere is incredible as well.”
    • “The only negative was the abrupt loading phases between certain areas that really drew me out of the atmosphere that the game otherwise succeeds in creating.”
    • “The isolation and mystery of the forest, township, and its residents creates some spooky and moody atmospheres, but is underplayed with a lackluster end reveal and a severe lack of direction given to the player.”
    • “While the overarching story in Kona will no doubt leave you cold, the tense atmosphere at the centre of its snowstorm setting will warm your desire to see it all the way through to the end.”
  • gameplay
    431 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of *Kona* is primarily a blend of exploration and light survival mechanics, often described as a walking simulator with investigative elements. While the atmosphere and story are praised for their depth and immersion, many players find the mechanics to be clunky and underdeveloped, leading to a frustrating experience at times. Overall, the game offers a unique setting and narrative but suffers from repetitive gameplay and poorly integrated mechanics that detract from the overall experience.

    • “The gameplay is smooth, and I enjoyed using the map.”
    • “Kona offers an intriguing mix of detective work and survival mechanics, immersing players in a mysterious and atmospheric world.”
    • “The gameplay was really fun and intuitive enough, without anything that is frustrating, which I truly appreciated.”
    • “The gameplay is very simple; it's mostly a walking sim, with some driving to get you places and looking for clues to piece together the story.”
    • “Unfortunately, almost every minute of gameplay for me was spent in frustration of handling tedious actions that should have never even been a significant part of gameplay.”
    • “The survival mechanics, though adding realism, occasionally feel like they interrupt the flow of detective work rather than complement it.”
  • graphics
    298 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics in the game are generally well-received, with many players praising the beautiful environments, atmospheric lighting, and attention to detail, particularly in snowy landscapes. However, some reviews note that the visuals can feel dated for a 2017 release, with occasional technical issues and a lack of polish compared to more recent titles. Overall, while the graphics may not be cutting-edge, they effectively contribute to the game's immersive atmosphere and storytelling.

    • “The graphics look beautiful, especially the lighting.”
    • “While the graphics might not be cutting-edge, the snowy landscapes are hauntingly beautiful, perfectly capturing the isolation and harshness of the environment.”
    • “The graphics are positively delightful to look at, from the frozen bushes swaying in the wind, to the wolf paw prints on the ground, to the cluttered inside of a general store.”
    • “The graphics feel dated in quality, 3-5 years old, and VR wouldn't do anything to help them.”
    • “It seemed to stutter quite a lot and the graphics look less 2017 and more 2007.”
    • “The graphics, regardless of the quality setting, often had things spawn in view as I ran around.”
  • music
    193 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players noting its repetitive nature and limited variety, often hearing the same few tracks on loop, which can become tiresome. However, some praise the atmospheric quality of the soundtrack, highlighting its ability to enhance the game's immersive experience and complement its eerie setting. Overall, while the music is appreciated for its initial charm and fitting ambiance, a desire for more diverse and engaging tracks is a common sentiment among players.

    • “The atmosphere and music of this game were really on point.”
    • “The music was beautiful; not many tracks available, but the ones that were were very enjoyable to listen to and were masterfully made.”
    • “The soundtrack is excellent as well!”
    • “The music is weak, dull, and uninspiring, which is a shame because a setting like this could have thrived with a more atmospheric, mood-setting soundtrack.”
    • “The music on the radio in the car is a 5-second loop, very repetitive and annoying.”
    • “My biggest and only problem with the game is the music; your car and stereos in houses play the exact same song on repeat.”
  • optimization
    43 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players experiencing significant performance issues, including stuttering and frame rate drops, particularly when strafing or on lower-end systems. However, others report smooth performance and good graphics on higher-end machines, indicating that optimization may vary based on hardware specifications. Overall, while some users find the game well-optimized, many others express frustration with its performance inconsistencies.

    • “Overall, the performance was good on Nvidia Surround with graphics maxed and solid 60 fps.”
    • “Not only is this game beautiful, it also has really good optimization.”
    • “The optimization is very good; I could run the game on max settings very well with no hiccups whatsoever.”
    • “The performance of it is so bad that it ruins the enjoyment for me.”
    • “Another issue plaguing users is a visual performance bug impacting frame rates when the player strafes left and right.”
    • “Optimization is pretty bad though, my rig usually powers through games like this on ultra with a stable 60 frames, I was getting around 50-60 with constant jumps to 30-40 and once it dropped from 60 fps to around 25 causing me to crash the truck at almost top speed.”
  • grinding
    40 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and frustrating, often feeling that repetitive tasks and excessive backtracking detract from the overall experience. Many reviews highlight the annoyance of managing supplies and completing fetch quests, which can lead to a sense of boredom rather than challenge. While some appreciate the atmosphere and story, the grinding elements are frequently criticized for inflating gameplay time without adding meaningful engagement.

    • “The village manages to feel appropriately sized, not too close that the wilderness feels non-existent but not tediously distant.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “A bit grindy sometimes.”
    • “Unfortunately, almost every minute of gameplay for me was spent in frustration of handling tedious actions that should have never even been a significant part of gameplay.”
    • “The game starts off strong with a great setting and atmosphere but unfortunately for me, it was bogged down by tedious management and what seems to be an unfocused vision.”
    • “An interesting premise of investigating a murder in a remote snow-beaten northern Quebec town is let down by pointless game mechanics, tedious detective work, poor organization of information, and terrible narration.”
  • stability
    33 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting frequent bugs and glitches that disrupt gameplay, such as freezing during transitions and issues with the save system. While some users experienced minimal problems and found the game to run smoothly, others faced significant stability issues that hindered their overall experience. Overall, the game appears to be plagued by stability concerns, particularly in terms of loading times and control responsiveness.

    • “No glitches or bugs were found in the almost 7 hours it took me to finish the storyline.”
    • “Runs great on ultra on my mid-tier computer.”
    • “I only died to them once during my playthrough and overall they're a welcome addition along with the combat, which despite being janky, is functional and surprisingly bug-free, at least in my experience.”
    • “Buggy mess, couldn't even get past the gas station in the beginning because of the bugs.”
    • “It's so buggy and barely works and the controls are terrible.”
    • “The game freezes for about 15 seconds until it probably loads its elements.”
  • replayability
    25 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the game's replayability is generally considered low, with many players noting that it primarily caters to completionists seeking achievements or to uncover missed secrets. While some find value in revisiting the game for exploration or to fully understand the story, the consensus is that the short length and lack of significant narrative variation limit its replay potential. A few players express enjoyment in replaying it for the atmosphere, but most agree that it doesn't offer substantial replay value beyond initial playthroughs.

    • “While not the longest game, it does have replay value if you miss some clues or items scattered around the map.”
    • “Some replayability if you want to continue to explore locations after finding necessary items.”
    • “There's definitely replayability; I know I missed lots of little bits of info just from seeing what I missed on the map by the end.”
    • “Kona doesn't offer a ton of replay value outside of trying to 100% the game since it will likely take you two playthroughs to accomplish that (it can be done in one).”
    • “Achievements are tedious but easy and would require multiple playthroughs where there is no replay value.”
    • “The game is very short; I finished it in roughly 5 hours and there is no replayability.”
  • humor
    23 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is a mix of dry, sarcastic commentary and clever narration that often lightens the otherwise cold and lonely atmosphere. While some players find the humor hit or miss, many appreciate the witty remarks and funny notes that enhance the experience, drawing comparisons to the style of the Stanley Parable narrator. Overall, the humor adds a unique charm to the game, balancing moments of tension with levity.

    • “The narrator is hilarious at times, and I just love the funny comments that you come across while playing.”
    • “It's a short game, with witty, sometimes hilarious commentaries, and a lonely feeling.”
    • “I love the dry, sarcastic humor of the narrator; it is fantastic.”
  • emotional
    11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of the game is mixed, with some players finding it resonant and relatable, particularly in its atmosphere and sound design, while others criticize the story as generic and lacking depth. Although the game attempts to evoke feelings through its narrative and character experiences, many reviewers felt disconnected from the characters and found the emotional moments unearned or ineffective. Overall, it offers a blend of cute and dark themes, but fails to deliver a consistently impactful emotional experience.

    • “As someone currently going through a brutal winter right now, this game made me feel quite at home.”
    • “If you are up for solving a mystery that borders on cute, then absurd, then dark and just plain heartbreaking, then this is a title you might want to check out.”
    • “Upon touching this unassuming ice-bound man, the good detective is given this vision of the past, in the form of apparitions going about the day they disappeared.”
    • “The game tried to emulate the emotional depth of titles like Firewatch and The Vanishing of Ethan Carter, but ultimately fell short, resulting in a linear experience of driving to houses to collect items and uncovering a dull story.”
    • “Despite its attempts to evoke emotion, the game feels more like a collection of borrowed ideas rather than a cohesive narrative, leaving players disconnected from the characters and their journeys.”
    • “The emotional impact is undermined by a lack of engaging storytelling, making it difficult for players to invest in the characters or care about the outcomes.”
  • character development
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in the game is highly praised, with a strong focus on storytelling that enhances the exploration experience. The protagonist's backstory adds depth and intrigue, creating a compelling sense of mystery that engages players.

    • “Basic puzzles...more about story and character development, which is awesome in an exploration game.”
    • “The character development behind the main protagonist provides a real sense of mystery as we get a few lines telling us about his past.”
    • “The character development of the main protagonist lacks depth, leaving players with more questions than answers about his past.”
    • “The supporting characters feel one-dimensional, making it hard to connect with their stories or care about their outcomes.”
    • “Character arcs are predictable and fail to evolve meaningfully throughout the game, resulting in a lack of emotional investment.”
  • monetization
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization aspect primarily revolves around the use of ads, which are linked to the sanity meter and stamina but do not significantly impact gameplay or the player's experience. Overall, the integration of ads appears to be minimal and does not detract from the enjoyment of the game.

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73%Critics’ scoreBased on 14 critic reviews
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7h Median play time
7h Average play time
5-9h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 19 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

Kona is a open world action adventure game with horror and mystery themes.

Kona is available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Steam Deck and others.

On average players spend around 7 hours playing Kona.

Kona was released on March 17, 2017.

Kona was developed by Parabole.

Kona has received mostly positive reviews from players and mostly positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its grinding.

Kona is a single player game.

Similar games include The Vanishing of Ethan Carter, The Solus Project, Lifeless Planet, Murdered: Soul Suspect, The Painscreek Killings and others.