Kona Reviews
Kona is a trip worth taking. It's a beautiful, moody showcase of the snowy wilds of northern Canada, and a slow-burning mystery steeped in atmosphere. Play it for the journey, not the destination.
Snow in general is underused in games, and you don't get to explore a small mining and logging community very often in this hobby. The supernatural elements in the game had me interested right away, but the interface issues and the tone of the narration kept pulling me out of the experience. Check it out if you're looking for something new and interesting, just be prepared for some rough edges.
From the point of view of the plot it offers an interesting adventure that it can engage with, thanks to an impeccable narrative and an appropriate set design. Nothing completely new, ok, but still well structured and successful. Other compliments should also be made to the sound sector that boasts great environmental sounds and a great narrative. Too bad for some flaws in optimization and level of gameplay.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Kona is an interactive thriller set in a cold, hostile and surreal place, but its interesting gameplay mechanics are limited by a linear progression.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Spanning several hours and sporting a number of more traditional game features, Kona feels far meatier compared to your average walking sim. The combination of nonlinear design and survival mechanics certainly help to dispel some of the issues I have with the genre. That said, the vagueness surrounding some puzzles, frequent backtracking, and a somewhat dissatisfying finale left me with mixed feelings despite introducing some welcome changes to the formula.
While the overarching story in KONA will no doubt leave you cold, the tense atmosphere at the centre of its snowstorm setting will warm your desire to see it all the way through to the end. It should also be applauded for trying to add a surprising number of mechanics to what's ostensibly an adventure game, and while the survival gameplay ultimately feels superfluous, it at least works well in service of developer Parabole's presentational aspirations – which is more than can be said for the pointless combat and distinctly average collection of puzzles.
KONA wants to tell an interesting story within the construct of a survival-adventure hybrid game. It succeeds more greatly at doing the latter but even the story provides enough intrigue to merit seeing the brief game through to the end, as ultimately off-the-mark as it becomes. If you're a fan of either genre by which it's inspired then you'll find something to enjoy in the snow-topped Canadian forests of KONA, but pack lightly — it'll be a short and somewhat forgettable stay.
Kona isn't a bad game, it has several qualities like its atmosphere, its narrative and its survival aspect, except for the exhaustion system. But, Parabole�s game has too many weaknesses to captivate us, like a slow rhythm seconded by a feeling of filing. You should eventually discover it in a moment of scarcity or to take a break between two AAA games, which might be difficult considering how this first trimester is exceptional.
Review in French | Read full review
Kona has a lot of potential, and with it being the first part of a series of games, hopefully its missteps won't squander its future potential. There's so much beauty dripping from every corner of this game that everything feels genuinely special. Kona only falls because of its technical issues, but it falls hard. With a bit of refinement, this could be a modern classic. Right now, though, it's a lot of potential that never quite cuts it.
For me, I loved the story, the setting and the mystery, but the controls let the game down. Has it made me change my opinion on walking sims? Well, it's made me hate them less.
The debut title from Parabole shows us that a good, well written story and a fascinating setting aren't enough to create a convincing narrative first person adventure. The derivative gameplay is often sloppy and confused, resulting in an experience far from engaging or satisfying. Technically more than modest, it's a game we could not recommend, not even to the fans of the genre.
Review in Italian | Read full review
It's tremendous at creating its distinct atmosphere and then drawing you deeper in. It's witty, spooky, and achieves an ideal sense of urgency. Weird, clamant and intriguing, this is well worth a look.