In 2021, Ember Lab surprised the world with Kena: Bridge of Spirits, an ambitious indie game with cutscenes that look like they belong in a Pixar movie and a protagonist primed to be an action heroine. Though the game packs in many of the features that have come to characterize modern action-adventure games, Kena: Bridge of Spirits stands out thanks to its South-East Asian inspirations, which are apparent in its soundtrack and colorful visuals. While gamers were unfamiliar with Ember Lab at the time of Kena's release, afterward it was one of the studios to look out for.
Kena has been on the market for a while, and in that time it has swept up its fair share of awards. However, gamers have not heard much from Ember Lab regarding what its plans are or whether it intends to continue pursuing gaming. Though Ember Lab is good at making animated films, it should stick to video games, as it has the skills necessary to make masterpieces.
The Origins of Ember Lab and Kena: Bridge of Spirits
Ember Lab is a small studio created in 2009 by two brothers named Mike and Josh Grier. The studio started out making animated shorts and commercials for companies such as Coca-Cola, Hi-Sense, and MLB, and this helped it to gain experience and build a good portfolio. Ember Lab also branched out and made animated short films, which is where its interest in video games also became apparent, as its short film Terrible Fate is inspired by The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask.
According to Mike Grier, the idea to make a video game came during a lunch conversation, and though they did not have experience in the realm of video game development, they were able to sell their idea to Sony through their experience with pitching projects in the commercial world. When the game was first showcased to the world, its cutesy art style and whimsical environments immediately caught everybody's attention. However, the studio was unknown, and there was, understandably, some skepticism surrounding whether it could deliver on its promises.
Fortunately, the tiny studio was able to execute its idea well, and upon release, Kena: Bridge of Spirits won the hearts of gamers and critics alike. It was also able to snag the Best Independent Game Award and the Best Debut Indie Game Award at 2021’s The Game Awards ceremony, marking a stellar start to Ember Lab’s time in the gaming world. Kena managed to be one of the most celebrated releases of 2021, establishing Ember Lab as a competent, award-winning studio.
Kena: Bridge of Spirits - An Indie Game With a Lot of Soul
Kena is a spirit guide who helps troubled souls make their transition to the spirit world. Troubled souls sometimes have difficulty letting go, and they cause havoc, but Kena receives help from the Rot, which are cute, black balls of fluff that boost her moves and assist her with environmental puzzles. As though the Rot are not adorable enough on their own, players can also dress them up in tiny hats that they wear as they follow Kena around. Kena's main weapon is her staff, which she can turn into a bow that shoots arrows of light.
The game presents a touching story of loss and grief which is conveyed through a cast of memorable characters. Along the way, players encounter characters who have been through traumatic experiences, and it is Kena's job to help them process the pain, even if it involves an intense battle first. The emotional highs are made more impactful by the fact that the game does not make use of much dialogue, instead letting players piece together the story through facial expressions and subtle hints. While this may leave some players feeling like the plot is thin, others may appreciate the subtle storytelling style.
Perhaps most surprisingly, Kena's gameplay is tough, and players will find themselves with sweaty palms when it is time to take on the bosses. Enemies have varied moves, and they can be pretty fair yet unforgiving during showdowns, which has led to some critics comparing the game to God of War and Dark Souls. This, combined with a phenomenal soundtrack, ensures that Kena's boss battles are unforgettable experiences.
Will Ember Lab Release More Games?
After the success of Kena: Bridge of Spirits, it would be interesting to see what Ember Lab can churn out next. Although Kena is amazing, especially when it comes to its cutscenes, there are still plenty of improvements that Ember Lab can make. However, the studio's future seems uncertain, and it could be the case that its next moves will not be in the gaming realm. When asked about a potential Kena sequel, Josh revealed that it is not really in the plans, although the game's universe does have a lot of storytelling potential. If the world of Kena is explored further, Josh explained, it will be through "a more linear experience like a TV show or film." With the studio's experience in animation, it is something it could expertly pull off.
Fans looking for more games from Ember Lab should not abandon all hope, though they should not expect anything soon. In an interview with Wired, the Grier brothers spoke about how exciting it was to work with the PS5's hardware and how they wish to utilize it more. They also let slip that in "game two" they intend on taking advantage of the SSD and building mechanics around that. If the brothers are still throwing ideas around, it could be years before gamers see a complete product.
Fortunately, Ember Lab has not forgotten about Kena, and it still regularly receives updates that add new hats, with some of them themed after particular holidays. The studio has also expressed interest in releasing Kena on other platforms. Hopefully, Ember Lab has another game on the way, as Kena demonstrated that it is a studio with a lot of potential.
Kena: Bridge of Spirits is available on PC, PS4, and PS5.