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Next to big-name AAA titles like Far Cry 6, Dying Light 2, and Call of Duty Vanguard, one of the most anticipated games releasing this fall is Kena: Bridge of Spirits, a smaller-scale, third-person action/adventure game and the debut title from animation studio Ember Lab. First announced in PlayStation's Future of Gaming event last year, Kena: Bridge of Spirits made an instant impression on a lot of gamers for its Pixar-like animation and cute aesthetic, and despite numerous delays throughout the year, the long-anticipated wait is finally coming to an end.
Kena: Bridge of Spirits follows the story of a young girl and spirit guide named Kena, who has magical abilities that she can use to help the deceased move on from the physical world. Inspired by real-world locations such as Japan and Bali, Kena finds herself in an abandoned village that suffered a devastating tragedy hundreds of years before the start of the game, and with the help of characters like Beni, Saiya, and the Rot, must use her powers to try and restore the land. While Ember Lab is keeping specifics close to its chest, here's everything that's currently known about the characters players will come across in Kena: Bridge of Spirits.
Kena
At the forefront of Kena: Bridge of Spirits is the game's titular protagonist, Kena (voiced by Ayu Larassanti), a spirit guide that finds herself in an abandoned village while searching for the Sacred Mountain Shrine. As a spirit guide, Kena has magical abilities that help her understand lost spirits that are stuck in between the physical and spiritual worlds, and she can use the powers to help the spirit move on.
In terms of gameplay, Kena is equipped with a staff that she can use for light, heavy, and charged attacks, or upgrade into a Bow for long-range, as well as activate a Pulse ability which creates a shield. While little is known about her personal story, Kena's past will be explored throughout the game, delving into a traumatic experience with her father that left her physically scarred on one arm.
Beni & Saiya
Early in her search for the Sacred Mountain Shrine, Kena will be introduced to Beni and Saiya (voiced by Sam Cavallaro), two young children that live in the forest. While there isn't much information available about the two young brothers, their story is intrinsically linked to their teenage brother Taro, a now restless spirit that is stuck between worlds and needs help from Kena.
Taro
Briefly shown in the Kena: Bridge of Spirits Tribeca Spotlight presentation, Taro is the teenage brother of Beni and Saiya, and a restless spirit that needs Kena's help to move from the physical world to the spiritual one. In an interview with Newsweek, Taro's voice actor Tod Fennell (Far Cry: New Dawn, Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin) explained that when players initially meet Taro, it won't be on the best of terms. However, ultimately, Taro is a tortured soul that's in need of help.
"Every spirit in the game has two forms," said Canadian voice actor Todd Fennell. "There is the [hostile] boss form and then, once you have defeated that version, the original will emerge to be healed. So, when you beat Taro's boss, you will then get to see him as he truly is, and he will explain all [his] pain and suffering to you."
Toshi
First unveiled during the Kena: Bridge of Spirits gameplay trailer, Toshi (voiced by Masashi Odate) is "one of the trapped spirits you will encounter on your journey with Kena," and is believed to be the primary antagonist in the game. Very little information is currently known about the characters backstory or his role in Kena: Bridge of Spirits but based on Ember Labs brief description and his appearance in the trailer, Toshi could be linked to the tragedy that left the village abandoned in the first place.
Rusu and the Village Elder
Two other characters that have made appearances in the gameplay trailer for Kena: Bridge of Spirits but are relatively unknown are Rusu and the Village Elder. Voiced by Alan Adelberg, Rusu is a huntsman that will help guide Kena on her journey, teaching her important skills for survival, and offering insight into the abandoned village. As for the Village Elder, the character will be voiced by Vlasta Vrana and is thought to be the character narrating in the trailers, however, that's as far as the trail goes.
The Rot
Not unlike Pikmin, the Rot are lovable little creatures that will join Kena throughout her journey as companions, assisting in battle, making new discovering, and transforming the environment to reach new areas or progress the story. Despite their lovable, cuddly appearance, Rot are actually timid and elusive spirits that maintain balance in the forest and players will be able to unlock cosmetic hats to help make each one feel unique.
Corrupt Spirits
Finally, in her effort to help the restless spirits of the forest, Kena will come across a variety of corrupted spirits that she will need to battle and defeat in order to progress the story and guide them into the spiritual world of course. Whether it's standard enemies in the world or more challenging boss battles, combat is a key component of Kena: Bridge of Spirits, and players will need to master a variety of abilities (and progress through a skill tree) to take down these challenging foes.
Kena: Bridge of Spirits will be available on PC, PS5, and PS4 on September 21.