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Kona (video game)

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Kona
Developer(s)Parabole
Publisher(s)Parabole
Ravenscourt
Platform(s)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

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]

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 will turn away in case they get a 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. ^ http://www.parabole.ca/en/contact
  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. ^ a b "Kona for PC Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved September 6, 2019.
  15. ^ a b "Kona for PlayStation 4 Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved September 6, 2019.
  16. ^ a b "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.