Kena: Scars of Kosmora Revealed — Ember Lab Levels Up for 2026
Kena is back — older, sharper, and carrying the weight of a world that’s only gotten stranger since we last saw her. Ember Lab has officially unveiled Kena: Scars of Kosmora, a full sequel to Kena: Bridge of Spirits, launching in 2026 for PS5 and PC. And if the announcement trailer didn’t already tip you off, this isn’t just “more Kena.” This is a studio swinging bigger, stranger, and more ambitious than before.
A More Experienced Kena Steps Into a Much Darker Mystery
Ember Lab says they spent years figuring out what Kena’s next chapter should look like — and the answer wasn’t a simple continuation. In Scars of Kosmora, Kena is now a renowned Spirit Guide, returning not to familiar forests but to the mysterious island of Kosmora, a place built on layered cultures, buried secrets, and a tragic past.
However, her journey isn’t a spiritual one this time! Nope, this time it’s existential! A powerful spirit shatters her staff, the very tool that defines a Spirit Guide and literally keeps her alive. To survive, Kena must learn new skills by embracing Kosmora’s forgotten form of Spirit Guiding, a system rooted in Alchemy and elemental manipulation. Quite fascinating to watch on the State of Play trailer!
This isn’t the wide‑eyed apprentice from 2021. This is a Kena who’s been through all the madness that comes with life— and is about to go through even more (cackles in evil player).
Elemental Combat, Strategy, and a Bigger World to Get Lost In
Video Of Kena: Scars of Kosmora, Courtesy of Ember Lab and PlayStation Studios
The sequel leans hard into combat depth and elemental gameplay. Ember Lab says they’ve added new combat skills, elemental infusions, and strategic systems designed to make encounters more dynamic and challenging. Boss fights are bigger, nastier, and more numerous — a clear evolution from the first game’s already memorable battles.
Kosmora itself is built to be larger and more deliberately structured, with tightly designed regions and a stronger sense of progression. Partnering with PlayStation Studios has allowed Ember Lab to expand the world far beyond the scope of Bridge of Spirits.
This is a prettier sequel that packs in the upgraded gameplay that many fans are looking for!
Spirit Companions Return — And They’re Even More Important
The Rot was a gaming element that “stole” the heart of many gamers as they played, but Scars of Kosmora introduces elemental spirit companions tied to different elements and connected to a broader spiritual ecosystem across the island. They grow with you, unlock new powers, and play a major role in both combat and puzzle‑solving. Who doens’t love a whole magical redux when it comes to worldbuilding?
Ember Lab has only revealed one companion so far in the recent State of Play for PlayStation, but they’re teasing a whole lineup waiting in the wings.
A Story Ember Lab Is Guarding Closely
The studio is tight-lipped, careful not to spoil the narrative, so we can take this as a good sign that there are more goodies ready and waiting for us to discover when Kena: Scars of Kosmora finally drops.
They’ve described the story as emotional, heartfelt, and crafted with intention, aimed at both returning players and newcomers stepping into Kena’s world for the first time.
What we do know is this: Kena’s affliction, her past, and her connection to Kosmora are all coming together in ways that push her further than ever before.
A Bigger, Bolder Sequel From a Studio With Something to Prove
Kena: Bridge of Spirits was a breakout hit, a debut game that looked like it took a Pixar movie and gave gamers control over the characters. Now, with PlayStation backing and years of iteration behind them, Ember Lab’s clear aim is for something “bigger and better,” with deeper combat, richer exploration, and a world that feels more alive and more dangerous.
Kena: Scars of Kosmora launches in 2026 on PS5 and PC. And if this first look is any indication, Ember Lab is bringing Kena back with a bang!
