There was a whole lot of speak this 12 months about Xbox console exclusives like Hello-Fi Rush, As Nightfall Falls, and Sea of Thieves going multiplatform and being available on the PlayStation 5 consequently. For as soon as, we’re seeing that course of work the opposite approach round.
Subsequent week, Ember Labs will launch Kena: Bridge of Spirits on Xbox Collection X and Xbox Collection S. This sport has a repute as being one of many best-looking PS5 exclusives. Having gone hands-on with its Xbox Collection X port, I can say that Kena: Bridge of Spirits is simply pretty much as good because it’s ever been on the brand new platform. In case you by no means had an opportunity to attempt Kena: Bridge of Spirits since you don’t personal a PS5, this Xbox port provides you the proper excuse to take a look at this memorable journey.
Kena: Bridge of Spirits follows the titular spirit information as she explores the realm round a distant mountain village and shrine. The land is stuffed with corruption, and with a purpose to rid the realm of it, Kena wants the assistance of cute and small however highly effective creatures known as the Rot. Alongside the best way, she helps people who find themselves caught between the actual world and the spirit world go on, akin to a involved older brother who was separated from his twin siblings. It’s a surprisingly private journey, the place gamers are slowly knowledgeable of Kena’s private character traits as she interacts with all of the totally different spirits she encounters on her quest.
Ember Lab
On the gameplay entrance, Kena: Bridge of Spirits mixes motion, platforming, and Pikmin-like unit commanding in how gamers can management the Rot. Nothing about Kena’s exploration or fight is that authentic, apart from the truth that Kena builds up power with each assault and might ultimately use that to command the Rot with numerous skills. Some stun enemies, whereas in sure conditions Kena can command the Rot to mix right into a extra highly effective type. Outdoors of battle, Kena will sometimes must command the Rot to maneuver sure objects for her with a purpose to clear up environmental puzzles. It’s not extraordinary, however is stable sufficient to function a spine for the sport’s narrative and audiovisual expertise.
Neither story nor gameplay made Kena: Bridge of Spirits as a PS5 basic. That honor goes to its general presentation. As a substitute of going for an ultra-realistic look, developer Ember Lab went a extremely detailed, stylized one. It appears to be like pretty much as good if not higher than up to date animated fantasy movies like Pixar’s Onward or DreamWorks’ Learn how to Practice Your Dragon: The Hidden World. Ember Lab got here from a background in 3D animation; the studio made a viral animated brief movie about Cranium Child from The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Masks in 2016. The studio utilized that have to make Kena an immaculately animated action-adventure sport.
Ember Lab
It’s the form of sport that doesn’t really feel next-gen due to particle results or ray tracing, however due to excellent artwork course. The Xbox port of Kena: Bridge of Spirits nonetheless runs effectively throughout each of its graphics modes. Efficiency mode “targets 60 frames per second with upscaled 4K decision,” whereas Constancy mode has a “locked body charge of 30fps at native 4K decision.” I wasn’t in a position to check it on Xbox Collection S, nevertheless it’s value noting that it’s the most cost effective {hardware} you could play this great-looking sport on. (Each screenshots on this article had been taken in Constancy mode if you need an concept of how good this port appears to be like.)
Kena: Bridge of Spirits’ industry-leading visuals made it a defining sport for the PS5 early on in its lifespan. As is the case with lots of the Xbox exclusives that went multiplatform, it’s an expertise that has no mechanical or technological motive to be caught on only one console platform. I’m glad Xbox gamers now have the prospect to check out this PS5 basic. I hope every other third-party exclusives on both console additionally ultimately make the leap to different platforms, whether or not they’re large like Closing Fantasy VII Rebirth on PS5, indie like Dungeons of Hinterberg on Xbox, or someplace in between like this sport.
Kena: Bridge of Spirits launches for Xbox Collection X/S on August 15. It’s at the moment accessible on PC and PS5.
