I never expected Kena: Bridge of Spirits to hit Switch 2, but it feels like a good fit

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Like with many games we see at events like GDC, one of the challenges at RPG Site is deciding whether a game qualifies as an RPG worthy of our coverage. Sometimes we make exceptions for games that aren’t RPGs, but we think our readers would still enjoy. Kena: Bridge of Spirits was one such game – we didn’t cover it when it first released on PlayStation and PC in 2021. However, with a sequel now announced and a version coming to the new Nintendo Switch 2, we’re taking another look.

I recently got to try out this game, thanks to Nintendo letting us play it early – just like they did with Elden Ring. And good news, it seems like the Switch port is shaping up really well! I can’t give a super detailed breakdown of how it runs, but playing in handheld mode, it looked pretty fantastic. It’s probably not running at a full 1080p, but whatever they’re doing to upscale the graphics isn’t too noticeable or overdone.

I was getting around 30 frames per second while playing, and I didn’t have time to dig into the settings to see if there was a way to bump it up to 60. Honestly, my biggest issue with how it played on the Switch 2 was a little bit of lag between when I pressed a button and when something happened on screen. I haven’t played it on PlayStation or PC, so I’m not sure if that’s just a Switch 2 thing. Hopefully, they’ll be able to fix that before the game officially comes out, though!

While not a major issue, it’s something I could probably get used to over time. It’s great that Josh and Mike Grier, the founders of Ember Lab, were there to show off the port. Currently, you can’t use motion controls to aim the bow, but the developers are thinking about adding that feature before the game officially releases.

Kena’s gameplay is identical to previous versions, incorporating all updates released since launch – including New Game+, extra outfits, and more charmstones. The game plays much like a 3D Zelda title, tasking players with using Kena’s tools and directing the Rot spirits to overcome puzzles and defeat enemies.

I’ve been thinking about playing the first Kena game before the sequel comes out later this year, and this Switch 2 version might just convince me. Ember Labs has done a great job bringing the game to Nintendo’s console. Kena: Bridge of Spirits will be available on Nintendo Switch 2 this Spring.

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2026-03-12 16:26