Kona (video game)

Kona is an adventure video game developed by Canadian[2] studio Parabole and published by Ravenscourt. Set in the 1970s, the game centers around Carl Faubert, a private investigator, who arrives at a snowy town in Nord-du-Québec, only to find the place deserted with something that's lurking around.[3]

Kona
Developer(s)Parabole
Publisher(s)Parabole
Ravenscourt
EngineUnity 
Platform(s)Linux, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Stadia
ReleaseMicrosoft Windows, Xbox One, PlayStation 4
March 17, 2017
Nintendo Switch
March 9, 2018[1]
Stadia
August 1, 2020
Genre(s)Adventure
Mode(s)Single-player

Gameplay

Kona includes survival and supernatural elements with buildings to explore, which contain loot (tools, light) and can serve as shelters.[4] Some of the threats include cold (solved by setting up fire) and wolves (which can be shot or distracted with raw meat).[5] There is a stress level, which increases by seeing upsetting scenes, dealing with tough situations, or getting into accidents. Having a higher stress level will decrease the sprint speed and add a shakier aim, but Carl can calm himself down by smoking cigarettes and drinking beers that are spread around.[6]

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.[7] 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.[8][9]

Development

Kona was developed by Canadian-based company Parabole. Initial funding for the game came through a crowdfunding campaign on the website Kickstarter. 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.[10] Lead developer Alexandre Fiset later said the funding from Kickstarter would have produced a five-minute game.[11] Later funding for the game came from the Canada Media Fund, which accounted for roughly half.[12] It was released on Steam Early Access in March 2016, later released a year later.[13]

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.[14][15][16]

References
  1. "Kona s'offre une sortie surprise sur Switch". JeuxVideo.com. March 9, 2018. Retrieved September 7, 2019.
  2. "Parabole | Contact". www.parabole.ca. Retrieved 17 October 2020.
  3. Johnson, Maxime (March 14, 2017). "Kona: un jeu vidéo unique dans le Nord-du-Québec en 1970". Métro (Montreal newspaper). Retrieved September 7, 2019.
  4. Walker, John (March 24, 2017). "Wot I Think: Survival meets adventure in Kôna". Rock, Paper, Shotgun. Retrieved September 7, 2019.
  5. Hoelscher, Kevin (October 9, 2017). "Kona". Adventure Gamers. Retrieved September 7, 2019.
  6. Sheridan, Connor (June 16, 2016). "Kona is a survival exploration game with a chilling supernatural edge". GamesRadar+. Retrieved September 7, 2019.
  7. Taylor, Brian (April 25, 2017). "Kona Unites Story and Survival". Paste. Retrieved September 7, 2019.
  8. Riendeau, Danielle (March 23, 2017). "'KONA' is a Superb, Snowy Adventure". Vice. Retrieved September 7, 2019.
  9. Turner, Jack (March 22, 2017). "KONA REVIEW: AN IMPRESSIVE DETECTIVE GAME SUFFERING FROM AN IDENTITY CRISIS". The Independent. Retrieved September 7, 2019.
  10. Parabole (August 7, 2014). "Kôna - A Survival Adventure Game". Kickstarter. Retrieved September 6, 2019.
  11. Francis, Bryant (May 17, 2017). "Take a look at the indie biz strategy that made Kona successful on Steam". Gamasutra. Retrieved September 6, 2019.
  12. McAloon, Alissa (May 19, 2017). "How Kona's devs used the Canada Media Fund, and why they won't use it again". Gamasutra. Retrieved September 6, 2019.
  13. Chalk, Andy (February 17, 2017). "Kona, the snowy supernatural mystery set in Canada's north, is coming in March". PC Gamer. Retrieved September 6, 2019.
  14. "Kona for PC Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved September 6, 2019.
  15. "Kona for PlayStation 4 Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved September 6, 2019.
  16. "Kona for Switch Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved September 6, 2019.
  17. Turner, Stephen (March 24, 2017). "Review: Kona". Destructoid. Retrieved September 6, 2019.
  18. Mundy, Jon (March 21, 2018). "Kona Review (Switch eShop)". Nintendo Life. Retrieved September 6, 2019.
  19. Veillette, Guillaume (March 15, 2018). "Kona (Switch) Review". Nintendo World Report. Retrieved September 6, 2019.
  20. Codd, Matthew (April 17, 2017). "Review: Kona (Sony PlayStation 4)". Digitally Downloaded. Retrieved September 6, 2019.
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