Ember Lab's Kena: Bridge of Spirits is coming to Steam September 27, and a content-packed 1-Year Anniversary free update will go out on the same day to the PS4 and PS5 versions. This fantasy action-adventure RPG was originally released in September 2021 on PS4, PS5, and Windows. It received favorable reviews, particularly for its visual and audio artistry, and for the Rots' involvement in the gameplay.
Kena: Bridge of Spirits is a fantasy action-adventure RPG that takes inspiration from such locations and cultures as Japan and Bali. Kena is a young spirit guide whose duty is to help restless, traumatized spirits to move on. She discovers that corruption is spreading through the forest, and is tasked with collecting the Rots she finds along her journey. The game received the SXSW award for Indie Game of the Year in March, and it took awards for Best Debut Indie Game and Best Independent Game in December 2021 at the Game Awards. It also won the Webby Award for the Game, Adventure category in April 2022.
The September Anniversary Update will add a wealth of content to Kena: Bridge of Spirits. There will be new hats for the Rots, new Outfits for Kena, an enhanced photo mode, a new game mode called Spirit Guide Trials, a new stat-altering mechanic via Charmstones, and best of all, a New Game+ mode. It is worth noting that the Deluxe Edition will grant a unique cosmetic Outfit that cannot be found in the basic version of the game.
Kena's Anniversary Update Will Come With A New Game Plus Mode
Once a player finishes Kena: Bridge of Spirits' surprising challenge, they can convert their save file into a New Game Plus file. This will set Kena at the beginning of the game, but with all of her unlocked Abilities, Outfits, Rots, and so forth. Combat has been adjusted for more challenging encounters, and the NG+ will have new enemy types. Most bosses will also have extra phases. In addition, it seems that Kena will have a new Ability or two.
Charmstones Are Coming In Kena: Bridge Of Spirits' Anniversary Update
Charmstones in Kena: Bridge of Spirits will modify Kena's stats and combat abilities: i.e. "bow damage vastly increased for three seconds after defeating an enemy". Some Charmstones will contain a benefit and a drawback, so players will need to strategize how and when they use those. There are also Rare Cursed Charmstones that reduce stats and abilities, for players more interested in difficult combat challenges than Kena: Bridges of Spirits' photo mode. Most Charmstones are hidden around the game world, but a few are rewarded through the new Spirit Guide Trials.
Kena's Anniversary Update Adds New Mode Spirit Guide Trials
Spirit Guide Trials are a new game mode of re-playable challenges activated through the Mask Shrine. There are three types of Spirit Guide Trials in Kena: Bridge of Spirits: Obstacle Courses, Wave Defenses, and Boss Reflects. Obstacle Courses tests a player's accuracy, timing, and platforming, and focuses on archery, bombs and Dashing. Wave Defense pits the player against waves of increasingly difficult enemies, in unique enemy combinations, and with limited chances to restore health. Boss Reflect allows a player to revisit their favorite boss fights, and perfect techniques to defeat them.
New Kena Outfits, Rots Hats, & Enhanced Photo Mode
A new and improved photo mode in Kena: Bridge of Spirits will grant players the satisfaction of showing off their coolest Kena styles, paired with their favorite poses. Kena cosmetic outfits will be awarded by completing the new game mode Spirit Guide Trials; completing Trials bonus objectives unlocks new color variations for each outfit. The new Outfits are "Archer", "Bombmaker", and "Shadow". "Shadow" appears to be Samurai-inspired, and is available only through the Deluxe Edition. And to top it off, there are new hats for Kena: Bridge of Spirits' Rots to find scattered in the game world, found in chests or through completing tasks. The Anniversary Update is sure to get players excited to return to Kena's game world, and new players excited to experience it for the first time.
