Friday, 26 Jul 2024

20 Questions (And Answers) About Kena: Bridge Of Spirits

Kena: Bridge of Spirits is an upcoming adventure game from Ember Lab that has generated a lot of excitement since its debut at Sony’s PlayStation 5 reveal event. As the latest cover-story game at Wqaindia, we’ve dedicated 14 pages in our issue to this highly anticipated title. In this article, we’ll address some of the most common questions and provide answers based on our extensive conversations with the development team and hands-on experience with the game.

Who is Kena?

Kena is the hero of the game, and more specifically, she’s a spirit guide with a special gift. Her role is to help guide restless spirits to a peaceful end. In the world of Kena: Bridge of Spirits, individuals who have suffered great trauma or have unresolved issues can linger between the physical and spirit world, causing trouble for the living. Kena’s task is to understand their hindrances and assist them in reconciling past events.

How do you pronounce her name?

Kena’s name is pronounced as KAY-nuh.

Does Kena talk?

Yes, Kena does have a voice. Although her voice acting wasn’t finalized in the demo, Ember Lab’s chief creative officer, Mike Grier, confirmed that Kena has plenty to say. In fact, Kena is portrayed by an actress who also lends her singing talents to several songs on the game’s soundtrack.

Where does the game take place?

Kena: Bridge of Spirits is set in a fictional world that pays homage to various Eastern locations. Throughout the game, you’ll encounter elements inspired by Japan, Bali, and other places in the geography and architecture. Interestingly, Kena herself is not from this particular region and had to travel a significant distance to reach it.

What’s the deal with the little creatures seen in the trailer?

Those adorable little creatures are called the Rot, and they play a crucial role in both the gameplay and the story. As Kena explores the world, she can discover hidden Rot, similar to finding hidden Toads in a Paper Mario game. The scattered Rot are responsible for the corruption that has tainted the region. They are natural decomposers and their presence is vital for maintaining balance.

What can the Rot do?

The Rot are incredibly versatile. In addition to aiding Kena in combat, they can be directed to assist her in various ways. For example, they can temporarily repair broken bridges, help Kena reach higher ledges, and even provide special powers to enhance her attacks. It’s important to note that the Rot are initially timid and must gain courage through combat before fully joining the fight.

Can the Rot be permanently lost?

Thankfully, the Rot cannot be permanently lost or consumed. Once Kena discovers a Rot, it becomes a permanent part of her team. You won’t need to worry about any mini-graves or grim outcomes for these adorable creatures.

What abilities does Kena possess?

Kena possesses a wide range of abilities. In addition to her staff’s basic light, heavy, and charged attacks, she can obtain an upgrade that allows her staff to transform into a bow. Defensively, Kena can utilize a pulse ability that creates a protective bubble shield around her. This shield has its own health meter and, when timed correctly, can stagger enemies, making them more vulnerable to attacks.

Is Kena: Bridge of Spirits similar to 3D Zelda games?

If the game’s trailer gave you a reminiscent feeling of 3D Zelda games, you’re not far off. Kena: Bridge of Spirits indeed draws inspiration from the 3D Zelda series, which should come as no surprise considering Ember Lab’s previous project.

Is there character customization?

During our demo, we didn’t encounter any character customization options for Kena herself, such as changing her clothing or appearance. However, players can customize the Rot companions by finding different hats throughout the world. These hats can be purchased for individual members of the Rot crew using gems also found in the game.

Are there microtransactions?

No, there are no microtransactions in Kena: Bridge of Spirits.

Will there be a photo mode?

The development team shares players’ enthusiasm for a photo mode. While they intend to include this feature, they haven’t confirmed if it will be available at launch or added in a later update.

What engine was used to build the game?

Kena: Bridge of Spirits was built using Unreal Engine 4. Although an earlier prototype was created in Unity, the team ultimately shifted development to Unreal.

Is this an open-world game?

No, Kena: Bridge of Spirits is not an open-world game. While there are several connected regions to explore, players will encounter a central village that serves as a hub. It offers a wide linear experience with various secrets to discover and activities to engage in.

What are the advantages of playing on PS5?

As we only experienced the game on PlayStation 5, we can’t provide a direct comparison with the PS4 version. However, there are noticeable differences between the two. One notable distinction is the number of Rot creatures that can appear on-screen simultaneously. On PS5, players will see all 100 Rot at once, while on PS4, there will be fewer visible at a time. In terms of visuals, the forests and foliage appear denser on the PlayStation 5.

How long is the game?

It’s challenging to provide an exact playtime due to the inclusion of side activities, but the development team aimed to create an experience that players could comfortably complete over a weekend.

How much does the game cost?

While the exact price has not been disclosed yet, Kena: Bridge of Spirits will not be priced at $60, the standard retail price for full-priced games. It will be more affordable than that. Additionally, if players purchase the game on PS4, they will be able to upgrade to the PS5 version at no additional cost.

Is the game challenging?

The team at Ember Lab includes fans of difficult games like Sekiro and the Soulsborne series, so while Kena: Bridge of Spirits may not reach the same level of difficulty, players can expect a satisfying challenge, especially on the highest difficulty setting. On the lower difficulty settings, enemies won’t be able to instantly defeat the player, offering a chance to recover and continue the fight. The team has strived to create a game that caters to a wide range of players, allowing families to enjoy the story or seek tougher encounters together.

Can I play the game if I don’t own a PlayStation?

Absolutely! In addition to PlayStation consoles, Kena: Bridge of Spirits will also be available on PC through the Epic Games Store. While the specific release date has not been announced, it is expected to launch within the next few months.

FAQs

Q: Is Kena: Bridge of Spirits an open-world game?
A: No, it is a wide linear game with connected regions to explore.

Q: Will there be a photo mode?
A: The development team aims to include a photo mode in the game, but it has not been confirmed if it will be available at launch or added through an update.

Q: How much does the game cost?
A: The exact price is yet to be revealed, but it will be more affordable than a traditional full-priced game.

Conclusion

Kena: Bridge of Spirits has captured the attention of gamers with its captivating world, endearing characters, and engaging gameplay mechanics. As Wqaindia’s latest cover-story game, we’ll continue to bring you the latest updates and insights on this highly anticipated title. Stay tuned for more information on Kena: Bridge of Spirits, coming soon to PlayStation consoles and PC.