Ember Lab has announced a return to its Spirit Guide universe with Kena: Scars of Kosmora, a full sequel to Kena: Bridge of Spirits. The studio confirmed during the PlayStation State of Play on February 12 that the game is launching on PlayStation 5 and PC in 2026.
Scars of Kosmora follows an older Kena, now established as a known Spirit Guide. This time, her journey is personal, as Ember Lab says she travels to the island of Kosmora looking for answers about an affliction she has dealt with throughout her life. The studio says that Kosmora is a bigger, more varied setting with distinct cultures and regions, built around mysteries tied to a tragic past.
The entire game looks to have taken on a much bigger scope, in contrast to the quite linear and somewhat cosy Bridge of Spirits. This time around, locations look to be open-world, or, at the very least, much larger than anything we saw in the original game.
The main story hook is also expanded and changed sufficiently, tying it into the gameplay: early in Scars of Kosmora, Kena encounters a powerful spirit that breaks her staff, which was core to her identity as the Spirit Guide, and also her main form of combat. This forces Kena into a different approach, and instead of relying on the same core tools from Bridge of Spirits, Kena adopts a forgotten form of Spirit Guiding tied to alchemy, using elemental power as a new foundation for combat and progression.
The action in the game should feel like Kena has progressed since Bridge of Spirits. New elemental systems for more tactical choices, new combat skills, new elemental infusions, and a bigger focus on aerial gameplay. Ember Lab also says that the game is designed around heavier use of spirit companions, especially for tougher encounters and boss battles.
These companions are also being expanded. The developers say that the creatures that travel with Kena will evolve and develop over time, unlocking new powers as their bond with her grows. Each spirit is tied to a specific element and connected to other spirits across the world.
Kena: Scars of Kosmora follows a debut game from Ember Labs that managed to pick up major awards at The Game Awards, including Best Independent Game and Best Debut Indie Game, along with a Best Art Direction nomination, so there’s a considerable weight of expectations placed upon the studio.
We don’t know a release date yet, but the studio plans to publish the game in 2026 on PlayStation 5 and PC.
