Conventional but well-implemented gameplay is combined with a colorful art style to create what is easily one of the most fantastical gaming experiences of the year. However, there is an often-overlooked ingredient that helps to bring the game together, and that is the soundtrack. While most games opt for epic orchestral scores, Kena: Bridge of Spirits decides to venture in a different direction, and it instead draws inspiration from the gamelan music of Bali. The result is endlessly enchanting.
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Kena’s Soundtrack Takes Players on a Journey to Bali
Kena is voiced by Dewa Ayu Dewi Larassanti. As Ayu reveals in an interview with the podcast Pixel Therapy, before her role in Kena, she had never worked in the realm of video games. As daunting as the task may have been to her, her voice acting brings Kena to life. Her soft delivery highlights Kena’s caring nature, and well-timed panting and grunts make her feel responsive to the world around her.
Ayu’s contribution to the game does not stop with her voice acting, however. Jason Gallaty, the game’s composer, decided to work with Gamelan Çudamani in Bali to craft the game’s distinctive soundtrack. Gamelan Çudamani is a musical organization that was founded by Ayu’s parents. Ember Lab traveled to Bali to record music for the game, and Ayu helped her father as he worked with the studio. While the inclusion of Balinese music might be a nice touch, it all had to be done respectfully because it is a sacred art form to some, and there are traditions and customs associated with gamelan music and the instruments used.
The philosophy behind gamelan music, as Ayu explains, mirrors some of the themes of Kena. In order to make good gamelan music, different instruments need to come together and work synergistically. Hence, a song is incomplete if a musician does not have their partners around. Similarly, Kena may be a daring woman capable of great feats, but tackling challenges is made easier thanks to her Rot friends who are always around to help her out with environmental puzzles and battles.
Kena — A World Come to Life
The use of Balinese music is a great choice for the game. Kena: Bridge of Spirits features visuals with a distinctively East Asian theme, as is evident from the chimes and lanterns found throughout the world, and the beautiful architecture of the settlements Kena comes across.
The wood instruments that pepper the soundtrack add an earthy feel to the game, while the wind instruments inject some light whimsy. The result is that as Kena explores the environments around her filled with green foliage and thick forests, the music seems to add to the outdoorsy, natural atmosphere. Additional vocals from Ayu ensure that the soundtrack inspires a sense of childlike wonder.
However, the game does not always keep a happy tempo. When Kena is up against foes, the music transitions to a dark tone that pumps adrenaline and increases one’s heart rate. A particularly memorable use of the soundtrack occurs during Kena’s encounter with Corrupt Taro who serves up a pretty tough boss fight. The dark mood of the music combined with the visuals help to effectively create a sense of danger and thrill without compromising the game’s fantasy aesthetic.
With Kena’s recent The Game Awards nominations, Ember Lab has proved itself to be a studio that gamers should be paying attention to. Hopefully, their future titles are able to implement music as artfully as Kena has.
Kena: Bridge of Spirits is available on PC, PS4, and PS5.
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