Ember Lab’s highly-anticipated action-adventure Kena: Bridge of Spirits that’s due to launch later this month on PS4, PS5, and PC will not get a sequel according to the studio. According to Ember Lab’s Co-founder, Josh Grier, they would rather focus on a new intellectual property (IP) with the same “style” in terms of gameplay and narrative direction.
“I don’t know if we will do a direct sequel next,” according to Grier in an interview with SoulVision Magazine. “It may be another IP, in the same style—in terms of gameplay and the story-driven experience. Kena and the universe we built has a lot of storytelling potential, so exploring and taking it into a more linear experience like a TV show or film is a possibility.”
Grier wanted to tackle different stories rather than focusing on a sequel whether if the game is successful or not. Second installments usually have a 50/50 chance of success in terms of sales, but they would rather have Kena be on TV shows or a full-length feature film.
The game’s visual achievement can already make that possible with Ember Labs overseeing the production if it ever were to happen.
“The storytelling themes and the human connection and narrative are universal,” said co-founder Mike Grier. “It deals with people struggling with loss or struggling with a mistake they made and the desire to reconcile it. I hope people connect with the story and the themes of the game as much as the gameplay.”
Kena: Bridge of Spirits is expected to launch on September 21, 2021, for PS4, PS5, and PC via Epic Game Store.