Kena: Bridge of Spirits

Kena: Bridge of Spirits is a linear action adventure dressed up like an open world. It is also one of the most heartfelt games I have played in a while. The presentation is warm, the combat is tougher than it looks, and the story about grief and forgiveness earned moments I did not expect.

The Good

The art direction carries this game. Every forest clearing, ruined village corner, and spirit arena looks like a frame from a Ghibli film. Lighting shifts between soft and dramatic depending on the scene, and character animation is detailed enough to carry emotional weight without any dialogue. Ember Lab came from an animation background, and it shows.

The Rot are the heart of the experience. These small spirit companions follow Kena everywhere, tumbling over each other, hiding behind rocks, peeking out during cutscenes. They are genuinely charming without being annoying. In gameplay, they clear corruption, move objects, and power up your attacks. They feel like part of the adventure, not just a gimmick.

The story surprised me. Kena is a spirit guide, and each major area revolves around a spirit trapped by guilt. A brother who could not protect his siblings. A woodsmith who lost her partner. A leader whose anger destroyed his own people. Every arc ends with forgiveness, and the game handles those moments with restraint. It does not lecture. It just lets the characters grieve, then let go. By the final act, the themes of loss and acceptance hit harder than I expected from a game this cute.

Pacing is tight. Combat, then a puzzle, then a traversal section, then a story beat. Platforming is snappy and readable. Most areas end with a boss fight that feels properly staged and cinematic. The game knows when to push and when to let you breathe.

The baseline difficulty is surprisingly punishing. Enemies hit hard, bosses demand clean execution, and mistakes stack fast. It caught me off guard given the gentle presentation. You can lower the difficulty if it gets frustrating, which is a smart choice that keeps the adventure moving without gatekeeping the story.

The Not So Good

The game looks like an open world, but it is a guided corridor with hub areas. You follow a main path, and side areas rarely open into anything you would not find anyway. The pacing benefits from this structure, but the presentation sets expectations the game does not deliver on.

Build variety is thin. One weapon set, one playstyle, no loot. You have a staff, bow, bombs, and Rot actions, but upgrades tune the same kit rather than changing how you play. If you want different builds or meaningful gear choices, they are not here.

That narrow build space makes some later encounters feel samey. You have more tools by the end, but you are still running the same combos. The combat is fun in doses. It just lacks the depth to stay fresh across every fight.

Verdict

Kena: Bridge of Spirits is a confident debut that nails atmosphere, pacing, and emotional storytelling. The action is fun, the platforming is clean, and the story about grief and letting go is the kind of thing that sticks with you after the credits.

If you want a tight, well-paced adventure with great art and a story that earns its quiet moments, play it. If you need deep customization or true open-world exploration, this will feel smaller than it looks.