While there are a number of good bosses in Kena, some aren’t particularly memorable. The game won’t be treading new ground, as it’s similar to Ratchet & Clank, Jak & Daxter, and Beyond Good & Evil, but that familiarity isn’t a detriment straightforward action adventure platformers have been sorely missed in the video game world, and Kena solidifies itself as a great one. Kena’s base gameplay mechanics harken back to the systems found in classic action adventure platformers from the PS2-era. Other abilities allow the player to toss bombs that slow down time or shoot piercing arrows, each being paramount in Kena’s survival against the hardest bosses in the game. My favorite special ability allowed me to channel a heavy attack into a projectile of Rot towards foes.

With this, Kena can heal herself, deal significant amounts of damage by powering up one of her attacks, slow down an enemy, or destroy a corruption seed to prevent more enemies from spawning.ĭuring some of the game’s harder bosses, unloading waves of destruction upon them after successful parries is gratifying. With a specific upgrade, a successful parry means you get a Rot action. Kena’s parry is shockingly powerful, but the strict timing means you need to press the block button just before an enemy hits you. But most importantly, the player can parry. Players can dodge roll, light attack, heavy attack, shoot arrows, throw bombs, do explosive dashes, and channel a number of other special moves that they’ll unlock throughout the game. While the fundamental fighting is simple, it feels tight and satisfying. Throughout Kena’s most intense encounters, players will swiftly dash away, pull back the string on their bow and release to pelt enemies, and jump through the battlefield looking for a chance to unleash a combo with their staff.

It doesn’t tread new ground, as the game possesses similarities to Ratchet & Clank, Jak & Daxter and Beyond Good & Evil, but that familiarity isn’t a detriment straightforward action adventure platformers have been sorely missed. Kena’s gameplay mechanics harken back to the systems found in classic action adventure platformers from the PS2-era. The jump from in-engine to pre-rendered is typically very fast, but the few moments where you see a wallpaper pop up as the next story-beat loads, the immersion is broken. This isn’t an issue in most cases, but it’s occasionally frustrating when an emotional moment is interrupted by the flash of a loading screen.

However, it’s bizarre that some of Kena’s story isn’t told through in-game cinematics.

Kena bridge of spirits release date