One of 2021’s best action adventure games is coming to Xbox. Ember Lab’s critically acclaimed debut title, Kena: Bridge of Spirits, originally launched as a PlayStation exclusive, and in August, players on Microsoft’s console will finally get to join in on the magical adventure.
It is yet another title in a growing list of games that leave the console wars behind to be available to more players regardless of their preferred platform. Seeing this award-winning exclusive make its way to the other side could be another nail in the coffin for console exclusivity.
Kena: Bridge of Spirits Is Coming to Xbox
Studio Ember Lab seemingly couldn’t wait for the upcoming Xbox Summer Showcase on June 9 to reveal what it has been working on. The team announced its critically acclaimed and award-winning indie title Kena: Bridge of Spirits will be coming to Xbox Series X/S and One on August 15, 2024.
The popular indie title was originally released exclusively on Sony’s console and PC via the Epic Game Store in 2021. A Steam port followed in 2022. After its launch, it went on to become one of the top action adventure games of the year, reaping positive reviews and garnering awards for Best Independent Game and Best Debut Indie at The Game Awards 2021.
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The port will be priced at $39.99 on the Microsoft Store and feature exclusive pirate-themed hats for the so-called Rot, small fluffy spirits that assist the young Spirit Guide in her mission, a Golden Rot Skin, and a unique staff.
All expansions and upgrades that have been introduced since the original launch will make the jump as well, including the Anniversary DLC from 2022 that added new content and a New Game Plus mode. Preorders for the digital version and a physical Premium Edition for the Series X will be “available soon.”
The End of the Console Exclusivity Era
Kena and her Rot friends making their way onto the green console is another move in an ongoing trend that has been shaping up for quite some time as console exclusivity loses its standing in the gaming industry.
With Phil Spencer having previously stated that exclusive games will likely become less important soon and Microsoft releasing a growing number of its first-party titles to its competitors’ platforms, the company has been leading the charge in swimming against the console exclusivity trend.
The console wars have been raging for decades, but could this seemingly endless fight actually be coming to an end?
Ember Lab’s game was one of Sony’s best exclusives, and its release on the other platform is a clear sign that the industry is moving in an exclusive-free, multi-platform direction.
Are you excited that Ember Lab’s hit action adventure is coming to Microsoft’s console, and will you pick it up when it launches in August? What is your take on the ongoing console wars, and would you like to see an end to console exclusivity? Let us know in the comments!
