An engaging game for the Switch 2 that doesn’t quite do enough.
Help wayward spirits as you work towards your overall goal.
Kena: Bridge of Spirits, has hit the Nintendo Switch 2. Developed by Ember Lab, the game which has been out since 2021, hit the latest generation console on March. 26, 2026.
In this game you are Kena – a spirit guide who helps ghosts that cannot move on – on a quest to a shrine in the mountains. On your way you’ll traverse a large, infected land with many spirits who require your assistance.
With the power of the Switch 2, the beautifully done animations come to life; with each cutscene making you think you’re watching a movie unfold before you.
While the animations are certainly the best part of the game, things do take a bit of a turn when it comes to the overall gameplay.
As Kena you will jump, climb and fight your way across this corrupted land, saving not just the ghosts around you but the land itself.
You’re aided on your grand quest, by adorable little creatures inaptly named “rot.”
They are both your companions and your collectables as finding more of them will help you to raise your level and unlock more powerful abilities as you go along. Use them to clear out the corruption, take on your enemies, and assist with tasks along the way.
The rot are not the only collectibles which are meant to entice the completionists to return and play again in the ‘new game + mode,’ with outfits – both for yourself and little hats for the rot – among some of the things available for you.
Let’s talk mechanics of the game before we jump into some of the bigger things.
The game is fairly simple as you fight and traverse your way across the land. Use the right bumper/trigger to attack, while your jump, action and dodges are tied to the ‘B,’ ‘X,’ ‘A’ buttons respectively.
The one biggest gripe with the game is its lack of use of motion controls which are available on the Switch 2. Unlike so many games on the console – even the recent Capcom hit Resident Evil Requiem – Bridge of Spirits falls in the group that has chosen to forego allowing aiming with console motion controls.
Clearly a mistake, the choice is a downfall for a game which does overall seem to falter when it comes to combat – more on this shortly.
The game is clearly made for everyone – though playing even on normal difficulty requires a patience and skillset that makes it a deceptive title in spite of the overall adorableness it espouses.
Things are as one might expect with an acton-adventure game, that is reminiscent of a Horizon Zero Dawn meets Uncharted.
Now let’s talk gameplay because this is where things can shine or falter depending on your preference.
The open-world exploration is exactly what you might expect from a game that gives you choices. Do you need all the little rot friends available, do they all need cute and unique little hats? Collecting everything will certainly make you better, but skilled players can certainly do with the basics.
Most of the things you’ll need to successfully complete the game are handed to you as you progress. You’ll automatically find rot in some places as you go – no need to hunt them all down, though it does help. Major upgrades such as the bow will also come naturally. The only real thing rot helps with is the ability to make upgrades.
As you find more little rot friends, you’ll level up. This will allow you to get more powerful abilities such as a hammer, piercing arrow and more to help in your quest. Of course, you’ll also need upgrade points which are attained via fights, completing tasks and so on.
Speaking of fights, there doesn’t seem to be a well-rounded difficulty system. Even on normal difficulty, things are challenging.
As you progress through the game your foes will of course become more challenging. Shielded enemies will appear, those that require you to use the bow to shoot certain points, and others that will make you avoid simply swinging your staff and take the time to think through your battles.
This is not only a high point, but a barrier as there aren’t a ton of options in your arsenal – and things do start to become a lot of the same as you make your way through the game.
That’s not to say it isn’t fun, it’s certainly an engaging experience, but there isn’t a ton going on to make you want to jump right into a new game+ mode once you’re done.
Graphically the game is about as good as you’d expect from a developer that has a background in animation.
Things look great, especially in handheld mode, and every cutscene makes you feel like you’re watching a movie.
Overall, Kena: Bridge of Spirits, is fun game that will take you on an adventure – but it’s best experienced in short bursts so you can keep things fresh.
City Hunter was reviewed on the Nintendo Switch 2 after receiving pre-release key from PressEngine.
