Kena: Bridge of Spirits has taken its time coming to the Nintendo Switch 2. The game was originally released for the PS5 and PC, and was later ported to Xbox. It feels well-suited for the Nintendo Switch 2, as it seems to target the same audience as Zelda and other adventure games. It was a technically impressive game that did not feel like it could have run on the original Nintendo Switch, so this delayed release comes across as a technical delay rather than an intentional one.
We previously covered the original release on PS5 and liked it a lot at the time. It felt like a unique game with a certain charm, and the visuals were the most impressive part. While it did not bring major innovation to its gameplay, the story was strong, and the characters were likable. Fast forward half a decade, and playing through the game again, its flaws are more noticeable, but it transitions well to the Nintendo Switch 2.
The story centers on Kena, a spirit guide who can lead corrupted souls into the afterlife. Using her powers, she sets out to find these spirits, which leads her to a village where many are suffering from grief. The storytelling focuses on these moments, with each spirit she encounters having its own story. The game blends fantasy with the harsh realities of life, creating an emotional narrative while still keeping a sense of warmth. This is also reflected in Kena’s sidekicks, known as the Rot. These small black creatures are beautifully animated and also serve as a gameplay mechanic, helping Kena clear the corruption and evil that plague the world.
The game is mainly an exploration-driven adventure with combat mixed in. Kena explores the world and finds Rot hidden throughout the land. These Rot give Kena new powers, such as moving objects, finding hidden secrets, and clearing the corruption that blocks her path. It starts with a small number of Rot and gradually grows, with each new group adding more abilities. Over time, these powers expand into healing and defensive moves that help in combat. The game features a decent-sized map with plenty to explore, and the visuals are beautiful, giving it the feel of an animated movie, but it falls short when it comes to combat.
The game often pits the player against enemies with very little variety. The combat itself is fairly basic, with simple combos and the ability to dodge and parry attacks. It is enjoyable at first, but it starts to feel repetitive as the same enemies keep appearing. There are boss battles, but they are too few to make combat feel like more than a distraction. There are multiple difficulty settings to choose from, so the game can still be enjoyed for its story and visuals if the combat begins to feel repetitive.
One of the advantages of the late Switch 2 port is that it comes with all of the post-launch content, so nothing is missing here. On the other hand, it feels expensive compared to the heavily discounted PC, Xbox, and PlayStation versions. The visuals look great on the Switch 2, and I did not notice any major downgrades. Even in handheld mode, the game looks great, and in my opinion, it looks better than on the Steam Deck. One flaw, however, is that the hair quality feels subpar, and I noticed the effects of DLSS upscaling, which can be noticeable in darker scenes. The performance is also not completely stable, but it is not a major inconvenience.
Overall, if you have not played this game and are looking for something that carries the same charm as some Nintendo first-party releases like Zelda, it is worth trying. This port is solid and includes all the post-launch content, along with additions like New Game Plus and multiple difficulty options. While the visuals and performance are not perfect, the overall package is still impressive.
Kena: Bridge of Spirits Game Information
- Price: $39.99
- Publisher: Ember Lab
- Developer: Ember Lab
- Platform: Switch 2 (Reviewed)
- Disclaimer: A review code was given by the publisher
