Despite it being Ember Lab's first-ever video game, Kena: Bridge of Spirits has amassed quite the flood of attention ever since it was first announced back during Sony's PS5 reveal event last summer. The dazzling visuals and gameplay are reminiscent of some of the most popular 3D action platformers over the many gaming generations. With its release due later next month, the title is setting itself up to be one to watch for fans of platformers and the fantasy genre.
Trailers for Kena: Bridge of Spirits have teased a sprawling journey with themes of spirituality and one's connection to nature. As dazzling and inventive as the game looks, footage clearly shows inspiration was taken from other established video game franchises on the market. This is by no means a bad thing, as imitation can be the most sincere form of flattery. Furthermore, the obvious similarities to other gameplay mechanics in other games may help enhance the overall experience in the final game.
Kena: Bridge of Spirits and Pikmin
Any gamers with a soft spot for cute and cuddly creatures are in for a treat when Kena: Bridge of Spirits is finally available. In the previews, there are glimpses of small black fuzzballs with large eyes who follow Kena around. These tiny companions are apparently called "The Rot" and can be instructed by Kena to complete various objectives and interact with the surrounding environment. For any Nintendo fan, this sounds eerily similar to the beloved GameCube classic Pikmin as well as its sequel Pikmin 2.
In those games, the player controls a spaceman named Olimar who crash lands on a strange world but luckily befriend the local inhabitants known as Pikmin. These Pikmin have a variety of skills and attributes that prove useful to Olimar when it comes to navigating the terrain and engaging with the many resources and enemies the world tossed his way. The manner in which the Pikmin waddle behind Olimar is almost identical to how the Rot follow Kena in gameplay seen so far. Considering the same helpful behavior and cute exterior, it wouldn't be a shock if the Rot become as beloved over time as the Pikmin have proved to be.
Kena: Bridge of Spirits and God of War
While a helping hand is always great, it isn't as if Kena would be helpless without the Rot following her around. As demonstrated in trailers for the game, there is an emphasis on combat and tight platforming sequences throughout the game. The action takes place from a third-person perspective, while combat shifts the camera to a more over-the-shoulder view similar to 2018's God of War. When facing a deadly foe, this perspective locks the viewpoint on the attacker directly ahead, giving the player a clear view of where the danger is.
This same viewpoint was adopted in the soft reboot to the God of War franchise on the PS4. While older games in the series pulled the camera back, giving the player a wide view of the entire battlefield, this game took a more personal, intense approach. Kratos furthermore fought with an axe in this iteration as opposed to the iconic Blades of Chaos from past titles (at least early on in the game), which lends itself well to much more close-quarters encounters. This shift in perspective makes the player that much more focused on the enemy in front of them, leading to more memorable and breathless confrontations. Considering the same camera angle and Kena's trusty staff weapon, it seems like she will follow in Kratos' footsteps in this regard.
Kena: Bridge of Spirits will be available August 24, 2021, on PC, PS4, and PS5.