TGO Daily | Wednesday, September 22 | Kena: Bridge of Spirits Review Roundup
📰In The News
Kena: Bridge of Spirits Review Roundup
Kena: Bridge of Spirits is a 3D action-adventure game developed and published by Ember Lab — an animation turned gaming studio. It released yesterday (September 21), and reviews are now available for the game. As of this writing, it is ranked in the 86th percentile on OpenCritic.
Most critics were positive about the game, with a general agreement that the developers played it very safe. In fact, Kena was compared to other video games more than I’ve ever seen before. The game’s exploration and pacing had multiple reviewers referencing the N64 era of Zelda games (which makes sense, considering the dev’s history). The climbing was compared to Uncharted and Tomb Raider. The combat was compared to God of War — albeit, a more simplistic version. Even Polygon criticizes its lack of originality, pointing to Studio Ghibli and the Shinto religion.
Of course, the game’s #1 praise (and #1 selling point) is its art, animation, and soundtrack. There is no doubting that it is absolutely gorgeous.
Where critics disagree is about how effectively all the elements of the game are brought together. Some found it to be an absolute blast for every hour of the ~10 hour experience, others found it to be repetitive and discombobulated.
For a glowing 10/10 review, read DualShockers. For a generally positive review with a few criticisms, read IGN. For someone who found the game “smooth as a pebble,” read Eurogamer.
Activision Blizzard Staff Changes
Two major names within Activision Blizzard are leaving the company.
Amid the various lawsuits the company is facing, Claire Hart (Chief Legal Officer of Blizzard) is stepping down. After three years with the company, the reasons for her stepping down are unknown. Though I’m sure its fair to say the legal team aren’t having a great time right now.
Additionally, Overwatch executive producer Chacko Sonny is leaving the company. Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier called him “widely respected and seen as an integral part of Overwatch's future after director Jeff Kaplan left earlier this year.”
An exodus is happening. These two are joining many other high-profile names like J. Allen Brack (Blizzard President) and Claudine Naughton (A-B Chief People Officer).
NEO: The World Ends With You Heads to PC
Square Enix have announced that NEO: The Worlds Ends With You is releasing on the Epic Games Store on September 28th. It first released on PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch last July.
The game reviewed well, and its predecessor is considered one the of the best Nintendo DS games ever. Might be worth checking out!
🛎️Worth A Look
GI.biz interviews developers of dating simulators, and takes a look at how they have changed over time. An interesting look into a niche of the industry.
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Thanks for the read <3