Kona (video game)

Kona is a first-person narrative adventure game developed by Parabole and published by Ravenscourt. It was released in 2017 for PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One, with later releases on Nintendo Switch and Google Stadia.

The game is set in 1970 in a rural region of Northern Canada, near the fictional Lac Atâmipêk. Players take on the role of Carl Faubert, a private detective hired by a wealthy industrialist, William Hamilton, to investigate acts of vandalism against his properties. Carl arrives to find the area strangely deserted and is soon caught up in a series of increasingly bizarre and dangerous events involving the harsh winter environment and supernatural elements.

Kona is presented as a mystery, with players exploring the open-world environment, collecting clues, and solving puzzles to unravel the secrets of Lac Atâmipêk. The game utilizes a narrator who provides commentary on Carl’s thoughts and actions, as well as the events unfolding around him. The narrative is heavily influenced by Inuit folklore and Wendigo legends, contributing to the game's atmosphere of isolation, suspense, and the unsettling presence of the unknown.

Gameplay involves exploration, inventory management, and survival mechanics, requiring players to manage Carl's warmth and health against the unforgiving Canadian winter. Players can travel by foot, snowmobile, or dog sled. The game features a blend of investigation, puzzle-solving, and light combat elements. Kona's gameplay is less focused on combat and more on exploration and narrative progression.