Kena: Scars of Kosmora Delayed to 2027, Ember Lab Promises Bigger Adventure

Well, this one stings a little. Sony Interactive Entertainment and developer Ember Lab have officially announced that Kena: Scars of Kosmora is getting pushed back. Originally penciled in for a 2026 launch, the game is now targeting a 2027 release window. Yeah, we have to wait a bit longer, but the reasoning actually makes a lot of sense.

The sequel is still headed to PlayStation 5 (both physical and digital) as well as PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store. So no matter where you play, the wait is the same. Sorry, folks.

In a post on the PlayStation Blog, Ember Lab COO Josh Grier and game writer Thomas Varga explained that the team has been grinding away since the trailer dropped back in February. Their goal? Simple but ambitious: "We want to deliver a top-tier game that surpasses the quality of our 2021 debut, Kena: Bridge of Spirits, and is much larger in scope. To achieve that, we need a little more time. Moving the release to 2027 allows us to truly polish the expanded experience we want to deliver."

So what exactly is Kena: Scars of Kosmora? Like the first game, it's a character-driven, linear adventure, but the overall scope and depth are bigger than Bridge of Spirits. The world is packed with optional content for players who like to wander off the beaten path.

Story-wise, the game takes place before the events of Scars of Kosmora. Kena has spent a long time training as a Spirit Guide, serving as both warrior and spiritual healer. When the dead can't rest, their painful manifestations infect the environment. Spirit Guides have to fight that "corruption" and get to the heart of the problem. Despite her progress, Kena is starting to see her own limits. She's helped the dead, but she hasn't really explored how Spirit Guides help the living. And deeper still, she's helped others deal with pain, but maybe not her own. Her childhood friend Orfeo believes the mysterious island of Kosmora holds the answers they've been searching for. Kena sets off to meet him, hoping to learn more about her past and future as a Spirit Guide.

The ancient Spirit Guides of Kosmora developed unique methods involving four elements and alchemical temples. Four interconnected cultures once thrived on the island, each with a dominant element driving their society, until a mysterious catastrophe destroyed one of them. Since then, the spiritual symbolism of the elements has faded into Kosmora's distant past. The dominant elements still play a big role in each surviving culture, but the longer the ancient wisdom stays buried, the more dangerous things get. Kosmora's complex Spirit Guide temples are a major part of the game, offering dungeon experiences that will challenge your skills and reward you with transformative upgrades that push Kena's adventure forward.

But Kosmora isn't just about the past. The island has multiple living cultures, each with their own history, values, and struggles. Kena's mission will reveal how Kosmora's past collides with the characters in each region, forcing her to use her experience and adapt to shifting situations and new faces. Exploring Kosmora on foot takes time, but you might have noticed Kena has some new movement options in this bigger world. Her crystal dog companion is directly tied to gameplay and the mysterious island's origins. This ancient spirit isn't just an exciting mount, it also assists Kena in combat whether she's riding or on foot, and helps solve alchemical puzzles. Together, the Spirit Guide and her new ally will heal Kena's wounds and the wounds at the very root of Kosmora.

Ember Lab wrapped up by thanking fans for their patience and support, saying the team is working hard to make Kena: Scars of Kosmora an evolution of Kena's journey and the experience they want to deliver. More details are coming later. Are you bummed about the delay, or are you happy to wait for a more polished game? Let us know in the comments!