Analysis Kena: Bridge of Spirits, Ember Lab’s “Pixar” style arrives on Xbox

After a long wait, Kena: The Bridge of Spirits finally arrives on Xbox after a temporary exclusivity on Playstation consoles. The title of Ember Lab It managed to garner good reviews after captivating a good part of the press, and now we finally have it on Xbox. Its artistic section left a very good taste in the mouth, and many compared it to the animation style of Pixar films.

In this adventure, Kena will try to free the forest from a corruption closely linked to the spirits that inhabit it. Along the way, we will cross very beautiful regions, we will develop Kena’s skills and we will have the help of some friends who will speed up our work. How good is Ember Lab’s title? stay here to find out, internal analysis!

It’s not Pixar, but it tries to get close.

To clarify, I want to point out that this is an “indie” video game, because its visuals can be confusing. I say this because Ember Lab has decided to bet a good part of its potential on this section, and it is visible to the naked eye. The lighting or textures are very good in general, as well as a fairly successful character design. And as expected, the cutscenes contribute perfectly to the plot.

After the first few bars, the video game already shows the great care with which Ember Lab has given its work, showing a a great deal of detail in their scenarios. With the forest and mountains as a backdrop, Kena invites us to enter the most colorful and attractive places. The vegetation is abundant and tends to intertwine with abandoned buildings, as well as waterfalls, streams and lakes, forming magnificent landscapes. To this must be added the central villagefrom where we will set off towards our objectives, and which does not lack details.

On the other hand, the character design is fantastic, although it lacks a little more variety. Not everything that shines in its technical section is gold, and this is noticeable, for example, in physics and in some animations. The abundant vegetation I mentioned above reacts little to our passageonly the larger plants do it, and it can spread to the rest. And while Kena’s control isn’t a disaster, there are some slightly crude animationsas well as a lack of important details in combat, which I will discuss later. Of course, 60 frames are more than guaranteed with performance mode.

The fight with Kena is decent, but it can be improved.

To swindle Kena: The Bridge of Spirits I expected to find a fairly flat title in this regard. However, and given its “limitations”, the game presents a combat system that improves over time thanks to its skill tree. It’s not too big, but it adds a good number of attacks for Kena, making the experience more dynamic and varied. In addition, the dual use of Kena’s weapon as a bow and a scepter is more than successful. In addition, enchantments will provide additional buffs to Kena.

One point that surprised me a lot is the option to lock enemies. As in many video games, it is possible to mark them to focus on a particular game, but once executed, Kena will not remain in the forward attack position, but the movement remains “free”, so the camera is that one. focuses on the enemy at all times. Our protagonist will turn his back on him if we advance in other directions. An inexplicable error at this point, which makes the fight absurdly difficult for the user.

And as a positive point to highlight, we have the use of the Rot. These creatures that accompany us at all times will not only serve to solve puzzles or obtain objects, but They will be useful for facing bosses and other types of enemies.. But I’ll tell you about these little friends later.

Exploration… how far?

Kena: The Bridge of Spirits It is not an open world title, far from it. Its linear character is still present, but it tries to camouflage it by dividing its scenarios into different areas. With the help of the map at any time it is possible to unlock new spaces and locations.

One of the keys to this will be the spirit masksthrough which we can access these new areas of the map. We will do it gradually, but in addition to their main function, we will be able to equip them as we go to discover objects and other hidden elements. You’d be surprised how much Kena rewards us for our exploratory work.since there is always a chest, fruits to feed the Rot, an aesthetic element or objects with which to unlock new abilities.

It’s surprising given its characteristics, but if you find a shortcut I invite you to study it in depth. Sometimes it’s an abandoned hut, other times a culminating point with no exit, but it awaits a hidden Rot, a statue to move or a chest. Everything is there and serves a purpose that I liked, to extend the life of the game and in return reward the player. It doesn’t seem forced at all and will invite the most complete to get lost.

The Rot, Kena’s inseparable friends

I’ve mentioned them before, but you should know that these forest creatures are absolutely necessary to our journey with Kena. You might think they’re there to complement the “Pixar” style of the video game, but there’s much more to them than just their pretty appearance.

Hidden in the corners of the map, we will “recruit” them into our group of Rots as we discover them. And yes, each of them will literally add up, since we will see them alongside Kena traveling through the scenes, like a flock of chicks following their mother. During our journey, between fight and fight, We can use them to unlock certain items and collect Karma, among other things.which will be the in-game currency to acquire cosmetic items in the form of hats for the Rot, as well as to improve Kena’s skills.

You read that right, it is possible to change the appearance of the Rot thanks to the millinery shoppresent at different points on the map. But far from stopping there as I mentioned previously, the Rot are also a very useful weapon against our rivals. In addition to helping us unblock the path, Some mechanics allow them to be unified to hit said enemies, or for example, slow them down. to be able to attack them harder. Even in some battles they will help us by unlocking plants that will replenish our health. But be careful, these mechanics must be replaced after use, so it is not advisable to waste opportunities in vain.

Without a doubt, the Rot will make our life easier on our trip and add that pleasant touch to Kena’s adventure.

There is no Spanish dubbing, but you won’t miss it either.

Given that this is an important production in the independent category, many might expect a Spanish dubbing. However, I am sorry to inform you that we will only be able to hear the voice in englisheven though it won’t be the end of the world. The level is more than sufficient if we take into account that The dialogues will take place at specific times of the adventure, mainly in the cutscenes.

On the other hand, the sound effects are still very good. They are not close to a AAA, but they are more than compliant when interacting with a good part of the elements that surround us. The footsteps in the mud, the water while we swim in a lake or cross a river, Kena’s weapons or the sound generated by some objects scattered around the map.

As for the soundtrack… we can say that it is correct, without further ado. There is musical accompaniment while moving with Kena, changing in particular in front of the “bosses” or the areas full of enemies. Although tends to become very repetitive. It’s there, but don’t expect any iconic musical cues.

A safe bet

It is Kena: The Bridge of Spirits It is without a doubt a good choice if you are looking for a fun adventure, not too long and that offers a complete experience in terms of combat and exploration. Not to mention its attractive visuals, which will make us feel like we are in an animated film (aside from the differences).

There is no blood or elements that make it an overly violent game, but Its boss fights are vaguely reminiscent of classic Souls.which will please a good portion of users. Oh, and the difficulty can be changed up to 5 different levels. But that said, Kena is, for the price and quality, a video game to consider. It has some flaws, logical for an independent title, which does not seek to match the level of other blockbusters.

The exploration, the combat, its performance, the artistic part, everything is accomplished decently in Kena: The Bridge of Spirits to make it a more attractive option for Xbox users.