There’s been a lot of talk about Xbox console exclusives like *Hi-Fi Rush*, *As Dusk Falls*, and *Sea of Thieves* becoming multiplatform and readily available on PlayStation 5. But now, we’re seeing the trend work in reverse. Next week, Ember Labs will release *Kena: Bridge of Spirits* on Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S. This game, known for being one of the best-looking PS5 exclusives, is making its mark on a new platform. Having played the Xbox Series X port, I can confirm that *Kena: Bridge of Spirits* is as visually impressive as ever. If you missed out on this adventure because you don’t own a PS5, the Xbox port is the perfect opportunity to dive in.
*Kena: Bridge of Spirits* follows Kena, a spirit guide, as she explores the area around a remote mountain village and shrine. The land is corrupted, and Kena needs the help of small but powerful creatures called the Rot to cleanse it. She helps trapped spirits move on, like a concerned older brother separated from his twin siblings. It’s a surprisingly personal adventure, revealing Kena’s character as she interacts with spirits on her quest.
Gameplay-wise, *Kena: Bridge of Spirits* blends action, platforming, and Pikmin-like unit commanding. While not entirely original, the combat system is solid, relying on Kena’s energy build-up to command the Rot with various abilities. Some stun enemies, while others combine for powerful attacks. Outside of combat, Kena uses the Rot to solve environmental puzzles, moving objects to progress. The gameplay, while not groundbreaking, effectively supports the game’s narrative and audiovisual experience.
The real strength of *Kena: Bridge of Spirits* isn’t its story or gameplay – it’s the overall presentation. Ember Lab chose a highly detailed, stylized approach instead of ultra-realism. It rivals contemporary animated fantasy films like Pixar’s *Onward* or DreamWorks’ *How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World*. Ember Lab, with a background in 3D animation, created a beautifully animated action-adventure game. The game’s visual appeal isn’t due to particle effects or ray tracing; it’s the exceptional art direction that sets it apart.
The Xbox port of *Kena: Bridge of Spirits* runs smoothly across both graphics modes. Performance mode targets 60 frames per second with upscaled 4K resolution, while Fidelity mode offers a locked frame rate of 30fps at native 4K resolution. While I haven’t tested it on Xbox Series S, it’s worth noting that it’s the most affordable way to experience this visually stunning game.
*Kena: Bridge of Spirits*’ industry-leading visuals made it a standout game for the PS5 early in its lifespan. Like many Xbox exclusives that have gone multiplatform, this experience has no technical or gameplay reason to remain console-exclusive. It’s great that Xbox players now have the chance to experience this PS5 classic. I hope other third-party exclusives, whether large like *Final Fantasy VII Rebirth* on PS5, indie like *Dungeons of Hinterberg* on Xbox, or somewhere in between, will also make the jump to other platforms. *Kena: Bridge of Spirits* launches for Xbox Series X/S on August 15th. It’s currently available on PC and PS5.
