Kinda weird how simultaneously clunky and intricate this game is. I relished unfurling the mystery and loved how a system I thought was designed simply for ease ended up being vital to the story. Smart and fun.

Watching your wee cat interact with the world is wonderful and the world can be interesting to explore but unlike the PS2 classic A Dog’s Life there isn’t a series of button presses that can make your cat poop which means you can’t then pick up said poop and throw it at the townsfolk.

I’m enjoying this generations trend for refined PS2 character action games but like many other attempts there is an original voice lacking from Kena, one that would give it more mental staying power as well as more joy in general. The world feels empty when large and stubbornly clumsy when linear. The story feels plain and generic and it’s focus of spirits can sometimes make the world feel dead and empty in a very dissatisfying way.