Kena: Bridge of Spirits

 PC
Metascore
83

Generally favorable reviews - based on 13 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 13
  3. Negative: 0 out of 13
  1. New Game Network
    Sep 29, 2021
    71
    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.
  2. PC Gamer
    Sep 20, 2021
    65
    Looks better than it plays, but it's got a good heart.
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In Progress & Unscored

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  1. Ars Technica
    Sep 20, 2021
    I will treasure my time with Kena: Bridge of Spirits and look forward to even bigger projects from Ember Lab to come. [Ars Technica Approved]
  2. Polygon
    Sep 20, 2021
    Inspirations should always serve as a jumping-off point, something to build upon. But it often feels less like Kena: Bridge of Spirits was inspired by things, and more like it decided it could squish its beautifully realized world of magic and spirits into a ready-made mold. The result is a thoughtless blend; a hybridized paste. Vibrant and undoubtedly beautiful, Kena: Bridge of Spirits shows us every color in the spectrum. But strangely, it all feels brown — a muddy, grayish brown that comes from having mixed together every color on the palette.
  3. Rock, Paper, Shotgun
    Sep 20, 2021
    If there's anything I want you to know about Kena: Bridge Of Spirits, it's that its simplicity is still beautifully expressive. In particular, Kena has a truly cinematic style, with some breathtaking cutscenes, and it deploys them with real expertise. Not only is the Kena aware of what it does well, it does those things very well indeed. And sure, the combat isn’t in-depth or complex, but it’s not trying to be. Kena: Bridge Of Spirits is a game about atmosphere, and it’s a breath of fresh air. [RPS Bestest Bests]

Awards & Rankings

35
#35 Best PC Game of 2021
27
#27 Most Discussed PC Game of 2021

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 486 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 358 out of 486
  2. Mixed: 86 out of 486
  3. Negative: 42 out of 486
  1. ParsaGamer
    Sep 23, 2021
    3
    It was an animation turned to game, boring lifeless repetitive gameplay with cute and beautiful art
  2. JustGoosing
    Sep 22, 2021
    10
    Made a Metacritic Account just to review this game and give it the props it deserves. Amazing animation, audio and composition, veryMade a Metacritic Account just to review this game and give it the props it deserves. Amazing animation, audio and composition, very interesting story, combat is satisfying and the gameplay mechanics are always throwing in some neat things to do or puzzles to solve. Emberlab didn't focus on marketing false features and really put their heart and soul into their first game and it really shows. I hope to see a sequel and any new IPs that come from this dedicated and very talented studio. Keep up the great work Emberlab and enjoy the game everyone.… Full Review »
  3. ArmyRetGuy
    Sep 22, 2021
    9
    Great visuals, compelling story, child like but can hold an adults attention. My wife wants a rot for a pet now, haha. Seriously though, it'sGreat visuals, compelling story, child like but can hold an adults attention. My wife wants a rot for a pet now, haha. Seriously though, it's like playing a disney/pixar or dreamworks movie in game form. The storytelling and character building in great. The gameplay is unique in a few ways, such as the use of the rots. There are puzzles to keep you thinking, but they aren't so complicated they'll frustrate you. Just enough puzzles to make it interesting. Some minor assassins creed style parkour, like sliding, side climbing, climb up/drop down, etc... Traversing the world is somewhat guided, but leaves you areas to explore and fine treasures/items/currency. Would have been a 10/10, but the control of the rot cloud is very annoying with a mouse. It wants to drag behind and turn you around when trying to move them around a corner. it's a minor annoyance, but still worth noting since you'll use them a lot. All in all, I would recommend the game.… Full Review »
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