Kena: Bridge of Spirits
What to Know
Average Score
- September 21, 2021
- Ember Lab
- Action, Adventure
- Nom: Best Adventure Game (2021)
Critics Consensus
- September 21, 2021
- Action, Adventure
- Nom: Best Adventure Game (2021)
Critics Consensus
# Reviews: 92
Kena: Bridge of Spirits is an excellent debut for developer Ember Lab. An underwhelming story and unoriginal gameplay prevent Kena from being a must-have, but what the game does well, it does really well.
Rate and Review
Awards & Recognition
Critic Reviews for Kena: Bridge of Spirits
Critic Reviews
Score Distribution
92
Reviews
Silver
45% of scored reviews fell within the range of 80 to 86 / 100
Ranges
Kena is smooth as a pebble – a game engineered to be so unoffensive there’s no reason not to play it, or to play it at all.
With its elegantly simple combat and beautiful world, Kena: Bridge of Spirits harkens back to the days of the N64/GameCube-era Zeldas, Okami, and Star Fox Adventures, while also adding modern sensibilities and a distinct personal touch.
Despite borrowing from all manner of modern hits, Kena: Bridge of Spirits just about stands on its own. The wonderful visuals and music leave a strong impression, while the gameplay is simple but enjoyable. If its story went beyond the expected, and one or two small issues were scrubbed away, this would be a real winner. As it is, this is a solid action platformer with lots of personality, and a strong debut from Ember Lab.
Malindy Hetfeld (Eurogamer)
Recommended - (Read Review)
Kena is smooth as a pebble – a game engineered to be so unoffensive there’s no reason not to play it, or to play it at all.
Mitchell Saltzman (IGN)
8/10 - (Read Review)
With its elegantly simple combat and beautiful world, Kena: Bridge of Spirits harkens back to the days of the N64/GameCube-era Zeldas, Okami, and Star Fox Adventures, while also adding modern sensibilities and a distinct personal touch.
Stephen Tailby (Push Square)
7/10 - (Read Review)
Despite borrowing from all manner of modern hits, Kena: Bridge of Spirits just about stands on its own. The wonderful visuals and music leave a strong impression, while the gameplay is simple but enjoyable. If its story went beyond the expected, and one or two small issues were scrubbed away, this would be a real winner. As it is, this is a solid action platformer with lots of personality, and a strong debut from Ember Lab.
Outlet | Author | Score | Date | Quote | Read |
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3DNews | Алексей Лихачев | 8 / 10 | 10-03-2021 | An enjoyable old-school 3D-platformer that looks great and doesn’t have annoying issues of its predecessors of old, like outdated mechanics or janky gameplay. | Read review |
ACG | Jeremy Penter | Recommended | 09-21-2021 | Video Review | Read review |
Ars Technica | Sam Machkovech | Recommended | 09-21-2021 | Between those mechanical systems and cleverly arranged zones in and around the starting village, Ember Lab makes sure that players have stuff to look for and interesting systems to play with once they discover those puzzles. (And I haven’t even mentioned the seriously cool, late-game magical ability that I’m not going to spoil.) By narrowing its magical abilities to only a few pickups, K:BoS emphasizes a simple, accessible path to adventurous treasure hunting. The result is the opposite of a standard “Metroidvania” in which new abilities often do a meager job unlocking new things in old zones. If you’re hoping for a massive adventure with 19 different items that each expose new regions, K:BoS doesn’t deliver. Personally, I enjoyed its tighter focus, which still opened previously explored regions for further investigation (complete with a handy in-game counter for secrets that have and haven’t yet been found). | Read review |
Atomix | Rodolfo León | 90 / 100 | 09-28-2021 | Kena: Bridge of Spirits is a fantastic adventure, one which does an incredible job of mixing platforming elements, fun and energetic combat, a rewarding exploration system and beautiful graphics. It’s not only of the best games of 2021, it’s one of the best games of recent years. | Read review |
Attack of the Fanboy | Smangaliso Simelane | 4 / 5 stars | 09-22-2021 | For anyone looking for a game that will bring a smile to their face, Kena: Bridge of Spirits is not to be missed. | Read review |
AusGamers | KostaAndreadis | 7.5 / 10 | 09-22-2021 | It might be a strange way to phrase things, but Kena suffers from feeling too much like a game for a game’s sake. The latter third is essentially a string of linear levels with puzzles and boss fights, so much so that by the time the climactic confrontation rolls around it affects the dramatic tension the story has spent several hours slowly building towards. It’s by no means bad, or anything close to that. Instead, you get the feeling that much like commanding the Rot to prop up a fallen statue the experience itself is given the very same vibrant animated lift based on how it looks. | Read review |
BaziCenter | Omid Sedigh Imani | 8 / 10 | 09-21-2021 | Ember Lab’s very first project is a beautiful adventure set in an even more beautiful universe, and while it’s borrowing a lot of its core components from different games of the genre, it still feels fresh and stands on its own. The future surely seems bright both for the franchise and its developer. | Read review |
But Why Tho? | Kate Sanchez | 9 / 10 | 09-24-2021 | Kena: Bridge of Spirits is a strong game, it’s a contender for game of the year and it’s ultimately one well worth playing. It’s a stunningly astute and whimsical take on death, life, and where we fit in all of it. The game is about Kena finding her place and helping others find there’s too. Beautiful, immersive, and dynamic, I can’t recommend this game enough. | Read review |
Cerealkillerz | Gabriel Bogdan | 8.3 / 10 | 09-22-2021 | Kena: Bridge of Spirits turns out to be more than just a solid video game debut of ember lab. With cutscenes at the same level as pixar movies and a gameplay that don’t need to hide behind games like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, players get a beautifully crafted package. A bit more focus on the gameplay elements and riddles would helped the game as a whole a lot but otherwise waits probably one of the best adventures of this year for you. | Read review |
CGMagazine | Zubi Khan | 8 / 10 | 09-27-2021 | Kena: Bridge of Spirits is a solid game that hearkens back to titles of the sixth generation of games, with a coat of paint indicative of modern gaming that should appease younger players while offering enough gameplay variety for anyone to enjoy. | Read review |
Checkpoint Gaming | Luke Mitchell | 8 / 10 | 09-27-2021 | Kena: Bridge of Spirits is a captivating and well-made affair with a big heart, and will surely scratch an itch for many gamers keen on taking part in a touching journey through one of the prettiest worlds ever created. | Read review |
COGconnected | Paul Sullivan | 77 / 100 | 09-27-2021 | Where Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart took an old formula and brought it into the modern era, Kena: Bridge of Spirits’ approach was more adherent to the old ways. The technical aspects are phenomenal and thoroughly current, but the game itself relies heavily on the old way of doing things. Limited paths. Contrived situational limitations. Collectables galore. You likely already know if that’s something you’re interested in playing, and I personally believe they’ve done an admirable job here. Especially for a first crack. | Read review |
Cultured Vultures | William Quant | 8 / 10 | 10-14-2021 | Kena: Bridge of Spirits grounds itself on relaxation, healing, and cuteness, getting us to reflect and meditate on the beauty in the world when there is darkness abound. While lacking in several narrative areas, the gameplay and overall peaceful vibe of the title keep it engaging and enjoyable. | Read review |
DASHGAMER.com | Dan Rizzo | 8.5 / 10 | 10-09-2021 | It’s without question an essential in 2021, despite some minor drawbacks in its writing and creative premise. It does make good on its expectations for being that casual, cinematic game that everyone will fall in love with. Kena: Bridge of Spirits is an adorable action-adventure that players will come away feeling overjoyed and elated. | Read review |
Destructoid | Jordan Devore | 8 / 10 | 09-21-2021 | I wouldn’t call Kena: Bridge of Spirits overly ambitious. More like “strategically ambitious.” Ember Lab avoided biting off more than it could chew with its first game, and I dug it. | Read review |
Digital Trends | Giovanni Colantonio | 4.5 / 5 stars | 09-21-2021 | Kena: Bridge of Spirits is as gorgeous and elegantly crafted as a big budget game, making it a statement debut for Ember Lab. | Read review |
DualShockers | Rachael Fiddis | 10 / 10 | 09-21-2021 | I really can’t recommend Kena: Bridge of Spirits highly enough that will see players partake in a meaningful journey absorbed in a vibrant world filled with fluid animations that cries out to be explored. With the game’s added photo mode, expect to add on a few more gameplay hours as you fill up your gallery with lots of cute Rot pictures, too. | Read review |
Easy Allies | Michael Damiani | 4 / 5 stars | 10-02-2021 | Kena: Bridge of Spirits is a remarkable first effort from Ember Lab that showcases a beautiful world and a touching story. | Read review |
Echo Boomer | David Fialho | Not Recommended | 10-03-2021 | Kena: Bridge of Spirits is without any doubt a great looking game, in a very familiar and old format, that overstays its welcome mainly because of poor level design and inconsistent gameplay mechanics. | Read review |
Eurogamer | Malindy Hetfeld | Recommended | 09-21-2021 | Kena is smooth as a pebble | Read review |
Everyeye.it | Giuseppe Arace | 8.8 / 10 | 09-21-2021 | After completing Kena, we felt the desire not to leave these virtual lands, to continue in the heart of the forest to eliminate even the last bit of Corruption. Like the souls of the village, in short, we did not want to “go further”. The magic of Bridge of Spirits is all here: in its sweet magnetism, in its balance between gameplay and narration, in the echo of those adventures of the past, where simplicity moved hand in hand with refinement. Splendid to look at and rewarding to play, Kena is a debut work as rarely seen in recent years: that the independent sector can be guided by its spirit. | Read review |
Explosion Network | Dylan Blight | 7 / 10 | 09-21-2021 | You feel the passion of Ember Lab to craft a cinematic game with Kena: Bridge of Spirits. Visually and aurally, they achieve their target as it’s a beautiful game, but from a story point-of-view and as a video game, it doesn’t quite hit the mark. | Read review |
FingerGuns | Rossko Keniston | 8 / 10 | 09-23-2021 | Kena: Bridge of Spirits is a fantastic achievement, one that celebrates the wonder of adventure games with a story to fall into, characters to root for and a ton of collectibles to uncover. The ‘Now That’s What I Call An Adventure Game’ nature of the mechanics offers little in the way of huge originality, but presents them in a world so full of beauty and wonder you’ll soon forget all about it. The future is bright for Ember Lab. | Read review |
Game Informer | Andrew Reiner | 9 / 10 | 09-20-2021 | The world is fun to explore, and your time is rewarded with secrets galore and hats for your little Rot followers | Read review |
Game Rant | Dalton Cooper | 4 / 5 stars | 09-21-2021 | Kena: Bridge of Spirits is a short but sweet action-adventure game with a heartwarming story and great graphics that make it feel like a Disney movie. | Read review |
Game Revolution | Paul Tamburro | 3.5 / 5 stars | 09-23-2021 | Kena: Bridge of Spirit’s exceptional visuals clash with its unexceptional gameplay to create a gorgeous experience that would be forgettable if not for its technical prowess. Its combat, puzzles, and platforming are enjoyable but fail to set the world alight, though the adventure is elevated by the beauty of its open world and its highly animated characters. | Read review |
Gameblog | Plume | 8 / 10 | 09-23-2021 | For a try, it’s a masterstroke. The formula applies perfectly to Kena Bridge of Spirits, which marks a more than promising debut on the part of Ember Lab. | Read review |
Gamefa | Mahdi Maleki | 8 / 10 | 09-25-2021 | if you’re more into Beautiful Visuals and an amazing adventure but you don’t care that much about engaging Puzzles and Challenging combat, Kena: Bridge of Spirits is a game worth exploring which is full of Beauty and mysteries. | Read review |
GameGrin | Carl Mcfadyen | 6 / 10 | 10-05-2021 | A good first attempt by a studio that has only worked on animation, but not enough substance in the gameplay to keep you hooked to the very end. | Read review |
GamePro | Eleen Reinke | 87 / 100 | 09-22-2021 | Kena: Bridge of Spirits not only looks beautiful, but also captivates with challenging fights and exploration that is simply fun. | Read review |
Gamersky | 前朝刘沛公 | 8.7 / 10 | 09-27-2021 | It first pulls out the folk culture and religious culture in the east Asian cultural circle from other art forms, and then injects it into Disney-like painting style, which combines to produce a wonderful chemical reaction that makes “Kena: Bridge of Spirits” impressive enough. | Read review |
GamesBeat | Mike Minotti | Recommended | 09-21-2021 | So, yeah. So far, so good. I do have some concerns. As pretty as Kena’s magical forest is, it’s beginning to feel a little monotonous. I could use a bit more scenic variety, especially some indoor areas. I’ve been in a few caves, and they’re great. They’re eerie, atmospheric, and mystical. I want more caves! | Read review |
GameSkinny | Hayes Madsen | 9 / 10 | 09-28-2021 | Kena Bridge of Spirits is a charming adventure that packs a ton of heart, as well as a wealth of engaging systems. | Read review |
GameSpace | LaSt04Ka | 9 / 10 | 10-04-2021 | From the very first moment till the very end of your journey, Kena: Bridge of Spirits is a heart-warming experience and a real pleasure between the visuals, puzzles and combat. Atmospheric music, beautiful lively graphics, believable heroes and cute little Rots | Read review |
GameSpew | Kim Snaith | 10 / 10 | 09-21-2021 | Kena: Bridge of Spirits truly is something special, and I can’t wait to see what Ember Lab does next. | Read review |
GameSpot | Phil Hornshaw | 9 / 10 | 09-21-2021 | Kena: Bridge of Spirits uses a different perspective on familiar gameplay ideas to create tons of exciting combat and a deep emotional connection with its world. | Read review |
GamesRadar+ | Rachel Weber | 4 / 5 stars | 09-21-2021 | An agreeable adventure that’s transformed into something special by its enchanting aesthetic | Read review |
GamingBolt | Shubhankar Parijat | 8 / 10 | 09-24-2021 | Kena: Bridge of Spirits delivers an all around excellent experience that’s consistently engaging and manages to enrapture the player, even without doing anything particularly new or innovative. | Read review |
GamingTrend | David Burdette | 95 / 100 | 09-23-2021 | I’m not sure how Ember Lab did it, but I walked away from Kena: Bridge of Spirits with my expectations surpassed to a much further extent than I could have imagined. The visuals are breathtaking, the gameplay evolves in meaningful ways, and the heart the story contains has no bounds. You’ll find it hard to come across a more wholesome and beautiful game in 2021 than Kena: Bridge of Spirits, it’s everything I wanted it to be and more. | Read review |
GBAtemp | Prans Dunn | 7.8 / 10 | 10-11-2021 | As Ember Lab’s debut title, Kena: Bridge of Spirits delivers a visually-striking experience and decent enough gameplay that warrants a closer look at what the developers come up with next. | Read review |
God is a Geek | Chris White | 7.5 / 10 | 09-26-2021 | Kena: Bridge of Spirits features simple combat and often feels repetitive, but there’s plenty of charm that keeps you playing. | Read review |
GRYOnline.pl | Dariusz Matusiak | 8.5 / 10 | 09-24-2021 | It’s a pity that Kena: Bridge of Spirits did not get a big marketing campaign because it definitely deserves recognition. It’s a lovely, well-constructed game for everyone. I really hope we’ll see more of Kena in the future, and I wish more debuts like this for every studio! | Read review |
Hardcore Gamer | Kyle LeClair | 4 / 5 stars | 09-28-2021 | While we might have to arguably wait for future games to unlock the series’ true potential, Kena: Bridge of Spirits is still a great first outing for Ember Lab. If the breathtaking visuals don’t suck you in, then there’s the satisfying and challenging combat as well, or the wide world to explore. | Read review |
Hey Poor Player | Andrew Thornton | 4 / 5 stars | 09-22-2021 | I’ve mentioned a lot of other games throughout this review. Uncharted, Jak & Daxter, Pikmin, I could name a few more too. While not a lot here is fully original, almost everything is well-executed, and when you add an excellent story and a ton of personality, you have a winning experience. Although there are a few minor issues here and there, Kena: Bridge of Spirits provides a wonderful base that we can only hope future games will build on. | Read review |
Hobby Consolas | Daniel Quesada | 86 / 100 | 09-21-2021 | Satisfactory is a well suited adjective for this game. It may not be as groundbreaking as other games in the genre, but it offers really interesting exploration and combats. And you’ll love your Rots too! | Read review |
IGN | Mitchell Saltzman | 8 / 10 | 09-21-2021 | With its elegantly simple combat and beautiful world, Kena: Bridge of Spirits harkens back to the days of the N64/GameCube-era Zeldas, Okami, and Star Fox Adventures, while also adding modern sensibilities and a distinct personal touch. | Read review |
IGN Italy | Diego Cinelli | 8.5 / 10 | 09-21-2021 | Kena: Bridge of Spirits is an excellent debut. Even if the story ends a bit in the background, the beauty of the world, the animations and the combat system make the adventure of Kena and his friends Rot’s truly memorable. | Read review |
IGN Middle East | Mufaddal Fakhruddin | 8.5 / 10 | 09-21-2021 | Kena: Bridge of Spirits is a cracker of a debut for Ember Labs. While it may not offer anything groundbreaking, the game is still a fun romp with thrilling combat, genuinely fun platforming challenges, and a stunning world to explore. | Read review |
IGN Spain | Rafa Del Río | 8 / 10 | 09-21-2021 | Kena: Bridge of Spirits remains traditional in its mechanics while offering a series of surprises that go far beyond the beauty of its world. | Read review |
Impulsegamer | Unknown | 5 / 5 stars | 10-28-2021 | Kena: Bridge of Spirits should take most gamers around 10 to 12 hours to complete, depending on the amount of exploring and the level of difficulty. While the blockbusters games of 2021 continue to deliver the same ho-hum experience of 2021, Kena is a much needed ray of sunshine to the current choices of titles available and more importantly, looks fantastic on the PlayStation 5. Additionally, the story and characters creates an enjoyable fairy-tale experience from start to finish on this next-gen console that is definitely a must play game of 2021. Kudos to the development team of Ember Labs for delivering a truly immersive experience, not to mention those surprising twists along the way. | Read review |
Jump Dash Roll | Matt Jordan | 7 / 10 | 09-27-2021 | Kena: Bridge of Spirits’ stunning visuals and fantastical abilities are weighed down by repetitive combat | Read review |
JVL | Raptor | 9 / 10 | 10-03-2021 | In addition to its majestic artistic direction, its stunning staging and its striking musical themes, the title also manages to convince where it was not necessarily expected, thanks to a progression system and a demanding gameplay that borrow the best from references that have proven themselves in the field. Ember Lab is therefore achieving a real tour de force for its first try in the world of gaming and just for that, hats off. | Read review |
Kinda Funny Games | PS I Love You XOXO Ep. 88 | Recommended | 09-21-2021 | Video review. | Read review |
Marooners’ Rock | Frank Ventimiglia | 8.6 / 10 | 10-11-2021 | An incredibly thought-provoking tale, that explores what happens to those who pass away. The charming story, Disney quality visuals, and well-calculated gameplay mechanics all make for a vastly enjoyable experience. | Read review |
Merlin’in Kazanı | Ersin Kılıç | 75 / 100 | 09-25-2021 | Despite its important shortcomings, Kena: Bridge of Spirits is a game that can be enjoyed by players who love the genre with its artistic aspect, animation structure and atmosphere. | Read review |
Metro GameCentral | GameCentral | 6 / 10 | 09-23-2021 | Highly impressive on a technical level but the throwbacks to PS2 era game design feel less like a homage and more an indication of the developers’ lack of experience and imagination. | Read review |
MMORPG.com | Poorna Shankar | 9.5 / 10 | 09-28-2021 | And when each of those parts are this good, this lovingly crafted, this polished, it’s incredibly difficult to ignore. Ember Lab have created something truly special. This is a gem. Kena: Bridge of Spirits is the best game I’ve played all year. And you should play it. | Read review |
New Game Network | Alex Varankou | 71 / 100 | 09-28-2021 | Kena: Bridge of Spirits is a title of high artistic value, but one that stumbles in gameplay. It’s got charming characters and setting, a decent story and great looking cutscenes, but actually playing through the experience is largely underwhelming. | Read review |
NoesPaisparaFrikis | Unknown | 8.9 / 10 | 12-10-2021 | Without a doubt, one of the essentials of the year | Read review |
Noisy Pixel | Jahanzeb Khan | 9.5 / 10 | 09-24-2021 | Kena: Bridge of Spirits is a remarkable and magical adventure, and it’s honestly still hard to believe this is an indie title. This is the kind of game that simply needs to be part of every gamer’s library and one that raises the bar for the adventure genre in this generation. With emotional story beats, a compelling game world, engaging level design, challenging boss battles, and surprising combat versatility, Kena: Bridge of Spirits is an experience far greater than the sum of its many interconnected parts. | Read review |
Oyungezer Online | Eren Eryürekli | 8 / 10 | 10-08-2021 | Although Kena doesn’t have mechanics or mind-boggling gameplay that we’ve never seen before, it’s a production you’ll enjoy a lot of time with. | Read review |
Paste Magazine | Grace Benfell | 5 / 10 | 09-29-2021 | What pleasures Kena provides are intrinsic to most videogames: clicking buttons and finding trinkets. Eventually I did fall into that groove, but it was distracting, not compelling. When all the game’s darkness dissipates into bright green, when all wounds can be healed with determination and kindness, when death itself is a collectible friend, it is difficult to feel that distraction was worth it. | Read review |
PC Gamer | Luke Kemp | 65 / 100 | 09-21-2021 | Looks better than it plays, but it’s got a good heart. | Read review |
PC Invasion | Andrew Farrell | 8 / 10 | 09-27-2021 | Kena: Bridge of Spirits is gorgeous and extremely well made, but there’s less heart here than I was expecting. It’s still a worthy adventure with great controls and lots to see and do, though. | Read review |
PlayStation LifeStyle | Jenny Jones | 8.5 / 10 | 09-21-2021 | It’s pretty amazing to think that Kena: Bridge of Spirits is Ember Lab’s very first game. With absolutely stunning visuals and impactful music this is sure to leave an impression on people. Gameplay-wise it doesn’t do anything particularly new or innovative but that doesn’t stop it from being loads of fun. This is a small adventure with enough challenge and heart to keep you entertained for the full 10–15 hours that it’ll take for you to reach its conclusion. | Read review |
PlayStation Universe | Dan Twohig | 8.5 / 10 | 09-29-2021 | Kena: Bridge of Spirits is stunning spectacle full of heart and unbelievable charm. If you aren’t carefully selecting hats for your Rot companions by the end, then you’re probably made of stone. In the event that your soul is inhospitably frosty, Kena can be deceivingly challenging, throwing boss fights at you that will make those on Demon Souls look like a cake walk. A few minor issues stop Kena from being a showstopper, but there is no doubt that this a great game, and an amazing debut for a 15-person strong team. | Read review |
Polygon | Ewan Wilson | Not Recommended | 09-21-2021 | Kena: Bridge of Spirits promises magic, but can’t deliver much of it | Read review |
Press Start | Kieron Verbrugge | 8 / 10 | 09-21-2021 | As an indie effort and a debut game, Kena: Bridge of Spirits makes a good impression. It balances simplicity and challenge while weaving a neatly-paced story into something that can be played over a chill couple of days. Despite fantastic production values it’s still far from a AAA title – so it’s important to keep expectations in check, but anyone looking to lose themselves in a charming, gorgeous world ripe for exploration should look no further. It’s exactly what I needed right now – perfect cozy weekend entertainment. | Read review |
PSX Brasil | Ivan Nikolai Barkow Castilho | 90 / 100 | 09-22-2021 | Kena: Bridge of Spirits is a great game. Beautiful graphics, good gameplay and interesting mechanics. It has some minor problems, but nothing that affects the whole title. | Read review |
Push Square | Stephen Tailby | 7 / 10 | 09-21-2021 | Despite borrowing from all manner of modern hits, Kena: Bridge of Spirits just about stands on its own. The wonderful visuals and music leave a strong impression, while the gameplay is simple but enjoyable. If its story went beyond the expected, and one or two small issues were scrubbed away, this would be a real winner. As it is, this is a solid action platformer with lots of personality, and a strong debut from Ember Lab. | Read review |
Rock, Paper, Shotgun | Amelia Hansford | Recommended | 09-21-2021 | Kena: Bridge Of Spirits is a beautiful action-adventure game full of joy, wonder and character. It’s a breath of fresh air. | Read review |
RPGamer | Alex Fuller | 3.5 / 5 stars | 10-05-2021 | The overall gameplay will be very familiar to 3D adventure fans, but the visuals and charm help to make it feel like a fresh experience in the genre. More adventures for Kena and the Rot would be very welcome. | Read review |
Saudi Gamer | Unknown | 8 / 10 | 09-27-2021 | Ember Lab deliveries a unique experience with stunning artwork and epic gameplay. | Read review |
Screen Rant | Rob Gordon | 4.5 / 5 stars | 09-20-2021 | Overall, Kena: Bridge of Spirits is absolutely brilliant. It’s one of those rare games that feels like it belongs to the new generation thanks to its magnificent world, and its developers knew exactly how ambitious to be while still providing a top rate experience. | Read review |
SECTOR.sk | Ondrej Džurdženík | 8 / 10 | 09-30-2021 | One of the most beautiful games of the year. And with amusing gameplay. | Read review |
Shacknews | Ozzie Mejia | 9 / 10 | 09-27-2021 | Kena: Bridge of Spirits is a magical journey, one that I hope everyone will take. I certainly can’t wait to take it again. | Read review |
Skill Up | Ralph Panebianco | Recommended | 09-20-2021 | Video Review | Read review |
Slant Magazine | Aaron Riccio | 3 / 5 stars | 09-28-2021 | Bridge of Spirits is an old-fashioned adventure game, one that sets you on a very curated, puzzle-marked path. Which is to say that it lacks for the trailblazing go-anywhere spirit of Breath of the Wild. But Kena is, after all, a spirit guide, so you can trust that you’re not missing out on much by sticking to the missions that she calls out on the map. What you’ll get by following that path that she puts you on are the tightest, most compelling pieces of gameplay, those rooted in plot. In fact, seeing as what happens to those spirits who lose themselves along the way, the purest form of Bridge of Spirits is the one that doesn’t wander off. | Read review |
SomHráč.sk | Martin Kubeš | 80 / 100 | 10-09-2021 | Ember Lab’s debut game looked quite charming from the start and the final product keeps the same charm. Kena: Bridge of Spirits is an great fairytale that is gripping from start to finish, even though gameplay-wise it’s a bit too safe. | Read review |
SpazioGames | Domenico Musicò | 8.3 / 10 | 09-21-2021 | Kena: Bridge of Spirits is an astonishing action-adventure with a unique art direction. It proposes brilliant puzzle-platform sections and let the player be free to explore and manage the pace with their own rhythm. | Read review |
The Games Machine | Paolo Besser | 8.5 / 10 | 09-30-2021 | Although far from being revolutionary, Kena Bridge of Sprits is a compelling action-adventure game with an heart-warming hero and really cute creatures to play with. Ember Lab put in this game all their experience in character design and animation, giving us a splendid – but also somewhat repetitive – cartoon movie to play with. | Read review |
TheSixthAxis | Jim Hargreaves | 8 / 10 | 09-24-2021 | Kena: Bridge of Spirits is a great palette cleanser, not just in terms of tone but the way it’s carefully designed. Well-paced and beautiful to behold with plenty to see and do, Ember Lab has well and truly captured the spirit of the 3D platformers many of us grew up adoring. | Read review |
TrueGaming | Unknown | 7.5 / 10 | 09-26-2021 | Kena is a beautiful, fun and charming adventure experience and from a new developer in the arena and I can say that the developer kept his promise and gave us a very beautiful game. | Read review |
VGC | Jordan Middler | 3 / 5 stars | 09-22-2021 | Kena: Bridge of Spirits is a completely inoffensive, if somewhat bland adventure that will mildly entertain for the duration of its runtime, but won’t live long in the memory. | Read review |
VGChartz | Lee Mehr | 8 / 10 | 10-27-2021 | Ember Lab’s first concoction triumphs by succinctly shepherding and remixing older genre staples. | Read review |
Video Chums | A.J. Maciejewski | 9.1 / 10 | 09-25-2021 | After playing a couple of great AAA 3D platformers earlier this year, I’m absolutely blown away that I enjoyed Kena: Bridge of Spirits even more. With thoroughly challenging fast-paced combat, rewarding puzzles, and a breathtaking world; it’s one phenomenal game. | Read review |
VideoGamer | Josh Wise | 7 / 10 | 09-30-2021 | Whether you demand more than comfort from your games will inform the way you see Kena: Bridge of Spirits; is it merely a graphically sumptuous example of design that you wish we would leave behind, or is it a vivifying tribute to a rich precursor legacy? | Read review |
Washington Post | M.D. Rodrigues | Recommended | 09-24-2021 | “Kena” isn’t especially inventive, but the game is an entertaining hodgepodge of tried-and-true ideas. A sense of deja vu certainly emerges. But one scarcely notices it during the brisk battles or amid the splendors and astonishments of the enveloping forests. | Read review |
Wccftech | Francesco De Meo | 8 / 10 | 09-21-2021 | Despite featuring a very familiar experience inspired by The Legend of Zelda series, Kena: Bridge of Spirits manages to stand out from the competition with its amazing visuals, excellent combat system, and puzzle design. The underwhelming story and lack of real innovation prevent the game from being a must-have, sure, but what Kena: Bridge of Spirits does well, it really does well, so much that it’s very easy to look past its issues. | Read review |
WellPlayed | Adam Ryan | 7.5 / 10 | 09-24-2021 | Telling a number of touching tales of loss and love, Kena is a visually stunning action-platformer that feels like a classic PS2 game in mostly the right ways. | Read review |
Worth Playing | Redmond Carolipio | 8.9 / 10 | 10-15-2021 | That said, I found Kena: Bridge of Spirits to be one of the best treats of the year, both for the eyes and for the soul. Not only does it show elaborate craftsmanship, but it also feels like it was infused with joy and awareness. I’m happy it’s here, and I look forward to seeing where Kena’s bridge can lead. | Read review |
Zoomg | میثم خلیل زاده | 8 / 10 | 09-28-2021 | Kena Game: Bridge of Spirits, both in terms of gameplay and the world of animation like that, can bring with it any player interested in adventure games | Read review |
Game Info
A story-driven action adventure with a stunning visual aesthetic combining exploration with fast-paced combat. Players find and grow a team of charming spirit companions called the Rot, enhancing their abilities and creating new ways to manipulate the environment. Kena: Bridge of Spirits seamlessly blends action and narrative into an unforgettable experience. Travel with Kena, a young Spirit Guide on a quest to uncover the mysterious story surrounding the demise of the village.
RELEASE DATES:
DEVELOPER(S):
- Ember Lab
PUBLISHER(S):
- Ember Lab
GENRES:
- Action, Adventure
SERIES/FRANCHISE:
- n/a
GAME MODES:
- Single player
GAME ENGINE:
- Unreal Engine 4
DLC:
- -
BUNDLED IN:
- -
DIRECTOR(S):
- -
PRODUCER(S):
- -
DESIGNER(S):
- -
PROGRAMMER(S):
- -
ARTIST(S):
- -
WRITER(S):
- -
COMPOSER(S):
- Jason Gallaty
GAME MODES:
- Single player
GAME ENGINE:
- Unreal Engine 4
DLC:
- n/a
BUNDLED IN:
- n/a
DIRECTOR(S):
- n/a
PRODUCER(S):
- n/a
DESIGNER(S):
- n/a
PROGRAMMER(S):
- n/a
ARTIST(S):
- n/a
WRITER(S):
- n/a
COMPOSER(S):
- Jason Gallaty
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