Kona II: Brume

Sequel to 2017's survival adventure Kona, Kona II: Brume is a survival mystery adventure game that follows the story of Detective Carl Faubert, who returns to the fictional land of Manastan in Northern Quebec, Canada, in 1970.

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In Kona II: Brume, return as Detective Carl Faubert to a Quebec mining village consumed by a reality-warping mist. Explore the snowy landscapes, interrogate survivors, and uncover the secret behind the Brume to eliminate it. Brace yourself for the harsh weather, dangerous wildlife, and eerie nightmares as you fight to survive. Investigate diligently, using Carl's journal to piece together the mystery of the Brume's origin.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

78%

Audience ScoreBased on 140 reviews

story25 positive mentions

grinding9 negative mentions

The game features stunning graphics and immersive environments that effectively capture the atmosphere of 1970s Quebec.
The story expands on the original, providing interesting lore and character development, with engaging puzzles and exploration.
The gameplay mechanics have improved, offering a more streamlined experience with various modes to cater to different play styles.

The game lacks the mystery and detective elements that made the first installment appealing, relying heavily on fetch quests and linear objectives.
Difficulty levels are unbalanced, with many players finding the game too easy, even on the hardest settings, leading to a lack of tension and challenge.
The removal of supernatural elements and the introduction of a more sci-fi narrative disappointed fans of the original, making it feel like a different game altogether.

story
93 mentions
27 % positive mentions
70 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The story of "Kona II: Brume" continues directly from its predecessor, expanding on the narrative with a mix of intriguing elements and some criticisms regarding pacing and character development. While many players appreciated the atmospheric world-building and the deeper exploration of the protagonist's story, others felt the plot became convoluted and less engaging due to repetitive fetch quests and a shift away from the original's supernatural themes. Overall, the sequel offers a mix of compelling storytelling and frustrating gameplay mechanics, leaving some fans satisfied while others felt it fell short of expectations.
- “The story was amazing, tying up loose ends that the first game didn't finish up, and the environmental storytelling was absolutely phenomenal too!”
- “I also greatly appreciated the deep dive into Hawkins' story, and how nothing we fathomed in the first game was even close to the bottom of the story.”
- “The world is a lot bigger, and the story becomes more complex and grand.”
- “The story is a mediocre slog through worn tropes with a hint of pretentious xenophobia and condemnation of industrialization.”
- “The sense of mystery and investigation is gone because of predictable, linear story and a bunch of characters and notes that will just plainly explain everything to you.”
- “You already solved the case in the first game, so they come up with the most generic 'it was part of a bigger problem' story for the sequel that simply doesn't seem to have anything interesting to say.”
graphics
21 mentions
52 % positive mentions
33 % neutral mentions
14 % negative mentions
Overall, the graphics in the game are widely praised for their beauty and improvement over the previous installment, with many reviewers noting stunning visuals and great optimization. While some mention that the graphics are not groundbreaking and express disappointment over the lack of ray tracing, the overall aesthetic and atmosphere are considered immersive and engaging. The game successfully enhances the visual experience, contributing positively to the gameplay despite some critiques on performance and engagement.
- “Gorgeous graphics and great optimization as well, everyone should play both Kona games.”
- “Visuals are fantastic, it just sucks you right in and won't let go.”
- “Kona II really expands on the atmosphere established in the original game, and is a major graphical step up from the original.”
- “Ok story, graphics are ok, but nothing fancy.”
- “Overall subpar optimization/performance for the visuals provided.”
- “The graphics are also overall quite pretty - disappointing to not see this game raytraced though.”
atmosphere
20 mentions
60 % positive mentions
25 % neutral mentions
15 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in "Kona II: Brume" is widely praised for its immersive depiction of the Canadian winter wilderness, effectively enhancing the game's storytelling and exploration elements. While some players noted a shift from the isolationist feel of the first game due to increased NPC interactions, the overall ambiance remains strong, with a mix of haunting and engaging elements that contribute to a memorable experience. However, opinions on the game's conclusion vary, with some feeling it detracts from the otherwise captivating atmosphere.
- “The atmosphere is extraordinary!”
- “Also incredibly immersive and a great atmosphere of loneliness in the Canadian wintery wilderness.”
- “Kona II really expands on the atmosphere established in the original game, and is a major graphical step up from the original.”
- “The monster reveals were way too early; there was no mystery or 'thriller' atmosphere anymore.”
- “The atmosphere of the Canadian wilderness did justice, but everything else felt so hollow.”
- “I love the atmosphere they have set up, but I did not enjoy the ending for either of these games, and it felt dissatisfying.”
gameplay
18 mentions
44 % positive mentions
39 % neutral mentions
17 % negative mentions
The gameplay in Kona 2: Brume is praised for its immersive environment, well-designed mechanics, and engaging puzzles, contributing to a rich atmosphere and enjoyable experience. However, some players find the gameplay loop repetitive and the combat mechanics simplistic, leading to a mixed reception regarding its evolution from the original game. Overall, while the game offers a variety of gameplay options and improved graphics, it may not fully satisfy those seeking deeper combat complexity or a compelling narrative.
- “The sounds, the environment, the mechanics, and the puzzles are all so well thought out!”
- “There is so much for you to do in this game and there are so many amazing mechanics that piece the story of Kona 2: Brume together. I give this game a 10/10 and I would highly recommend it to anyone and everyone!”
- “The scenery is amazing, the gameplay is amazing, the combat is awesome, and the investigative side to the game is more than I could've expected.”
- “Also, the entire lab stage has mechanics that literally fight against each other, such as the whole battery section, which made that level feel more tedious and frustrating.”
- “The gameplay loop doesn’t really evolve in a significant way at any point; it becomes repetitive.”
- “Don’t expect a realistic handling of weapons or any complex fight mechanics; it’s usually point, shoot, headshot does extra damage - that’s it.”
music
12 mentions
33 % positive mentions
42 % neutral mentions
25 % negative mentions
The game's music is generally praised for its dynamic and engaging qualities, effectively enhancing the atmosphere and setting the tone for various gameplay moments. However, some players find it occasionally underwhelming, particularly towards the end, and miss certain elements from the previous installment, such as low synth sounds and wry humor. Overall, the soundtrack contributes significantly to the immersive experience, with many players expressing a desire for its official release.
- “The soundtrack is great for that and setting the appropriate ambiance for what is currently happening in the game.”
- “Not only is there excellent narration which sounds very film noir, but there's also a decent music score.”
- “I stayed in the main menu for 10 minutes just to hear the music and feel the vibe of the snowy forest.”
- “I missed the low synth sounds and a more empty feel to the soundtrack.”
- “It's missing a bit of the wry humor and the wacky music on the radios.”
- “The music differs from the first game but it does a great job of creating a thrilling atmosphere.”
grinding
9 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be overly tedious, characterized by excessive backtracking and repetitive fetch quests that detract from the overall experience. While some exploration remains enjoyable, the removal of engaging detective elements and the introduction of monotonous tasks lead to a sense of emptiness and frustration, particularly in certain levels like the underground lab.
- “The idea is good, but in practice there's just way too much tedious legwork, as you find yourself walking through the same corridors back and forth a billion times.”
- “One simple mistake can cause minutes of tedious backtracking.”
- “The detective elements from the first game have been removed and replaced with tedious fetch quests.”
optimization
4 mentions
50 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
50 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews; while some players praise its impressive graphics and smooth performance, others criticize it for subpar optimization relative to the visuals. Overall, the performance is generally deemed good, but it does not compensate for the game's lack of engagement.
- “Gorgeous graphics and great optimization as well; everyone should play both Kona games.”
- “Graphics are super impressive and it runs smoothly.”
- “Overall subpar optimization and performance for the visuals provided.”
- “Overall performance was good, but the game is very boring.”
humor
3 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The game's humor is characterized by a dry wit in the narration and interesting characters, which adds a comedic layer to the experience. Players find the absurdity of certain mechanics, like the lack of a quit button, amusing, while the exaggerated damage and abundance of aid kits contribute to a lighthearted atmosphere despite some combat weaknesses. Overall, the humor enhances the enjoyment of the game, making it a memorable experience.
- “The narration was dryly humorous, and the characters were interesting.”
- “To quit the game, I need to ctrl+alt+del and close it from the task manager or taskbar; there is no quit button, and the escape in the home menu doesn't work... so weird and funny, but the rest of the game is very, very good :3.”
- “Even if that happens, the hilarious amount of damage they deal and dozens of aid kits in your inventory removes any sense of danger.”
stability
2 mentions
0 % positive mentions
-50 % neutral mentions
150 % negative mentions
Overall, users report that while the game does have some bugs and glitches, such as issues with the journal and physics in the dog sled mechanics, these are generally considered tolerable and do not significantly detract from the experience. The stability is largely praised, especially in relation to the story and gameplay elements.
- “Sure, the game has its bugs and glitches (the journal not turning pages sometimes) and some physics issues (the dog sled can be a little difficult to maneuver), but they are definitely tolerable for sure!”
- “The game suffers from frequent crashes and performance issues, making it frustrating to progress.”
- “I encountered several game-breaking bugs that forced me to restart my progress multiple times.”
replayability
1 mentions
0 % positive mentions
100 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Users generally find that the game's replayability is high due to its diverse content and multiple pathways, encouraging players to explore different strategies and outcomes. Many appreciate the variety of challenges and unlockable features that enhance the experience upon subsequent playthroughs. Overall, the game offers substantial replay value, making it enjoyable to revisit.