Summary

• Release Year: 2017
• Genres: Adventure, Indie, Puzzle
• Platforms: Google Stadia, Linux, Mac, Nintendo Switch, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, PlayStation Vita, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S
• Developers: Parabole
• Publishers: Koch Media, Ravenscourt

Kona (2017): A Haunting and Atmospheric Survival Mystery

Released in 2017, Kona is a story-driven survival game set in the fictional Atamipek Lake region of Northern Quebec in the 1970s. Players take on the role of Carl Faubert, a private detective sent to investigate a seemingly simple case, but soon finds himself embroiled in a much darker mystery.

The game’s most striking feature is its atmosphere. Kona’s world is a cold, harsh, and unforgiving place, where the player is constantly battling against the elements just to survive. The game’s visuals are stunning, with a realistic and immersive snow-covered environment that brings the Canadian wilderness to life. The sound design is also top-notch, with the wind howling and the snow crunching underfoot creating a truly immersive experience.

But Kona is more than just a survival game. It’s also a mystery, and a damn good one at that. The game’s story is well-written and engaging, with plenty of twists and turns to keep the player guessing. The characters are also well-developed and believable, and the player will quickly find themselves invested in their fates.

One of the things that makes Kona so unique is its focus on exploration. The game’s world is large and open-ended, and the player is free to explore it at their own pace. There are no linear paths to follow, and the player is free to discover the game’s secrets in their own way.

This freedom of exploration can be both a blessing and a curse. On the one hand, it allows the player to fully immerse themselves in the game’s world and discover its secrets at their own pace. On the other hand, it can also be frustrating at times, as the player may find themselves lost or stuck without any clear direction.

Another unique aspect of Kona is its lack of combat. Unlike most survival games, Kona does not feature any traditional combat mechanics. Instead, the player must rely on their wits and stealth to survive. This forces the player to approach the game in a different way, and it can be quite refreshing after playing so many games that rely on violence to solve problems.

Overall, Kona is a well-crafted and immersive survival mystery game. Its beautiful visuals, haunting atmosphere, and engaging story make it a must-play for fans of the genre. Just be prepared to get lost in the wilderness, both literally and figuratively.

Gameplay

Kona is a third-person survival game set in the fictional Atamipek Lake region of Northern Quebec in the 1970s. Players take on the role of Carl Faubert, a private detective sent to investigate a seemingly simple case, but soon finds himself embroiled in a much darker mystery.

The game’s primary focus is on exploration and survival. Players must explore the game’s vast and open-ended world, searching for clues and resources to help them survive the harsh Canadian wilderness. The game features a variety of survival mechanics, such as hunger, thirst, and cold, which the player must manage in order to stay alive.

In addition to exploration and survival, Kona also features a number of puzzles that the player must solve in order to progress. These puzzles are typically environmental in nature, and require the player to use their wits to find solutions.

Kona does not feature any traditional combat mechanics. Instead, the player must rely on their wits and stealth to avoid danger. This forces the player to approach the game in a different way, and it can be quite refreshing after playing so many games that rely on violence to solve problems.

Setting

Kona is set in the fictional Atamipek Lake region of Northern Quebec in the 1970s. The game’s world is a cold, harsh, and unforgiving place, where the player is constantly battling against the elements just to survive.

The game’s visuals are stunning, with a realistic and immersive snow-covered environment that brings the Canadian wilderness to life. The sound design is also top-notch, with the wind howling and the snow crunching underfoot creating a truly immersive experience.

Story

Kona’s story is well-written and engaging, with plenty of twists and turns to keep the player guessing. The game’s protagonist, Carl Faubert, is a well-developed and believable character, and the player will quickly find themselves invested in his fate.

The game’s story begins with Carl being sent to Atamipek Lake to investigate the disappearance of a local trapper. However, Carl soon discovers that there is more to the case than meets the eye, and he soon finds himself embroiled in a much darker mystery.

As Carl investigates the disappearance of the trapper, he uncovers a web of secrets and lies that reaches the highest levels of power in Atamipek Lake. Carl must use all of his wits and resources to uncover the truth, and to survive the harsh Canadian wilderness.

Characters

Kona features a cast of well-developed and believable characters. The game’s protagonist, Carl Faubert, is a private detective with a troubled past. Carl is a complex and flawed character, but he is also a good man who is determined to do the right thing.

The other characters in Kona are equally well-developed. The player will meet a variety of characters, including trappers, hunters, and First Nations people. Each character has their own unique story to tell, and the player will quickly find themselves invested in their fates.

Conclusion

Kona is a well-crafted and immersive survival mystery game. Its beautiful visuals, haunting atmosphere, and engaging story make it a must-play for fans of the genre. Just be prepared to get lost in the wilderness, both literally and figuratively.

Review Score

8/10

Art

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