Kona (video game) explained

Kona
Developer:Parabole
Publisher:Parabole (Win)
Deep Silver (PS4, PCVR)
Ravenscourt (NS, XONE, Stadia, PSVR)
Genre:Adventure
Modes:Single-player
Release:Linux, macOS, Windows, PS4, Xbox One
March 17, 2017[1]
Switch, Shield TV
March 9, 2018[2] [3] [4]
Stadia
August 1, 2020
PS5, Xbox Series X/S
December 7, 2021[5]
Platform:Linux, macOS, Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Shield TV, Stadia, PlayStation 5
Engine:Unity

Kona is a 2017 adventure video game developed by the Canadian studio Parabole and published by Ravenscourt. Set in October 1970, the game centers on Carl Faubert, a private investigator, who arrives at a snowy town in Nord-du-Québec, only to find the place deserted with something that is lurking around.[6] A sequel, , was released in 2023.[7]

Gameplay

Kona includes survival and supernatural elements with buildings to explore, which contain loot (tools, light) and can serve as shelters.[8] The threats include cold (solved by setting up fire) and wolves (which can be shot or distracted with raw meat).[9] There is a stress level, which increases by seeing upsetting scenes, dealing with tough situations, or having accidents. A higher stress level will decrease the sprint speed and add a shakier aim, but Carl can calm himself by smoking cigarettes and drinking beers that are spread around.[10]

The navigation of the region is done by Carl's truck in a first-person viewpoint. While driving, Carl can hold the zoomable map in his right hand in case something needs to be checked.[11] The game has Carl's thoughts being narrated as he goes through clues to find out what has happened to the town, along with puzzles that support the story.[12]

Development

Kona was developed by the Canadian-based company Parabole. Initial funding for the game came through a crowdfunding campaign on the Kickstarter website. The campaign was launched on August 7, 2014, with a goal of CA$40,000; it ended on September 6, 2014, with CA$44,271 raised by 1,304 people.[13] The lead developer, Alexandre Fiset, later said that the funding from Kickstarter would have produced a five-minute game.[14] Later funding for the game came from the Canada Media Fund, which accounted for roughly half.[15] It was released on Steam Early Access in March 2016, and fully released a year later.[16] The game was ported to virtual reality on June 19, 2018 for the PlayStation VR, Oculus Rift, and HTC Vive platforms, with support for motion controls.[17] [18]

Reception

On its release, Kona was met with "mixed or average" reviews from critics on Metacritic, with an aggregate score of 73% for Microsoft Windows, 71% for PlayStation 4 and 63% for Nintendo Switch.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2017-02-17 . Snowy, Canada-based thriller Kona is releasing on March 17 . 2024-01-02 . PCGamesN . en-US.
  2. Web site: March 9, 2018. Kona s'offre une sortie surprise sur Switch . JeuxVideo.com. September 7, 2019.
  3. Web site: Kona .
  4. Web site: Sholtz . Matthew . 2018-03-13 . 24 new and notable Android games from the last week (3/7/18 - 3/13/18) . 2024-01-02 . Android Police . en.
  5. Web site: Square . Push . 2021-12-07 . Frigid Survival Game KONA Now on PS5, Free Upgrade Available . 2024-01-02 . Push Square . en-GB.
  6. Web site: Kona: un jeu vidéo unique dans le Nord-du-Québec en 1970. Johnson. Maxime. Métro. Montreal. March 14, 2017. September 7, 2019.
  7. Web site: Kona II: Brume announced for PS5, Xbox Series, PS4, Xbox One, Switch, and PC. Gematsu. July 15, 2022.
  8. Web site: Wot I Think: Survival meets adventure in Kôna. Walker. John. Rock, Paper, Shotgun. March 24, 2017. September 7, 2019.
  9. Web site: Kona. Hoelscher. Kevin. Adventure Gamers. October 9, 2017. September 7, 2019.
  10. Web site: Kona is a survival exploration game with a chilling supernatural edge. Sheridan. Connor. GamesRadar+. June 16, 2016. September 7, 2019.
  11. Web site: Kona Unites Story and Survival. Taylor. Brian. Paste. April 25, 2017. September 7, 2019.
  12. Web site: 'KONA' is a Superb, Snowy Adventure. Riendeau. Danielle. Vice. March 23, 2017. September 7, 2019.
    - Web site: KONA REVIEW: AN IMPRESSIVE DETECTIVE GAME SUFFERING FROM AN IDENTITY CRISIS. Turner. Jack. The Independent. March 22, 2017. September 7, 2019.
  13. Web site: Kôna - A Survival Adventure Game. Parabole. Kickstarter. August 7, 2014. September 6, 2019.
  14. Web site: Take a look at the indie biz strategy that made Kona successful on Steam. Francis. Bryant. Gamasutra. May 17, 2017. September 6, 2019.
  15. Web site: How Kona's devs used the Canada Media Fund, and why they won't use it again. McAloon. Alissa. Gamasutra. May 19, 2017. September 6, 2019.
  16. Web site: Kona, the snowy supernatural mystery set in Canada's north, is coming in March. Chalk. Andy. PC Gamer. February 17, 2017. September 6, 2019.
  17. Web site: 2018-06-19 . Kona VR Comes To PlayStation VR . 2024-01-02 . VR News, Games, And Reviews . en.
  18. Web site: Game . Kona . June 19, 2018 . Survive Northern Canada's harsh weather in a new perspective . January 2, 2024 . Twitter.