The Legend of Korra is a third-person brawler action game based on the animated TV series of the same name. It is set in the same universe as Avatar: The Last Airbender and it is a sequel to that series. It takes place in a world based on four elements: earth, fire, water and wind. Benders are fighters who master these elements and those who can master all four are called Avatars. Korra is such an Avatar, a god-like being able to reincarnate and responsible for maintaining peace and balance in the world. The game describes the three weeks between the events of the second and third season of the series, but does not explain most of the background story of the universe where it takes place. After participating in a Pro Bending sporting event in Republic City, Korra walks into a dark alley and is sedated by the chi-blocker Hundun, who strips her off her bending abilities. He was brought into the world after Korra opened a spirit portal at the end of the second season. Most of the game is centered around recovering her bending abilities and defeating Hundun and his minions.
The game contains eight chapters split up into smaller levels that usually consist of a series of fights in small arenas with barriers that only disappear when all enemies have been defeated. Basic attacks are based on a light and a heavy attack that can be combined to perform combos. It is also possible to lock onto enemies. Korra often has to fight off multiple enemies at once and the game rewards dodging, blocking and counterattacks by timing correctly. Certain combos also lead to powerful finishers. Gradually Korra regains her four bending abilities each with their own moves, strengths and weaknesses. They also have their own progression system and gradually become more powerful. Korra can switch between the four abilities, when acquired, on the fly. Waterbending focuses on ranged attacks, while earthbending provides slow, but powerful attacks that often cannot be blocked. The next ability is fire, the most balanced one as after upgrading it provides fast, slow but powerful and ranged attacks. Air bending is only regained in the late parts of the game with whirlwind moves that affect a large radius. In the latest stages of the game Korra can enter a special state for a short time where all bending abilities are combined.
There are small platform sections, cut-scenes that further the story and boss battles. The latter often require a specific combination of bending abilities and bosses often attack with unblockable electrical and earth attacks. By fighting enemies and destroying objects in the environment health is recovered and spirit energy is collected. The energy serves as a currency to shop for items, such as health potions and talismans that provide additional bonus effects, at Iroh's spirit shop between levels. There are also sections where Korra rides her polar bear/dog hybrid mount Naga. She runs by herself and the player needs to switch lanes, crouch and jump similar to auto-run platformers. After completing the eight chapters a Pro-Bending league is unlocked. It consists of small Pro Bending challenges with specific rules.
