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Tales of Kenzera: Zau

Tales of Kenzera: Zau

Surgent Studios·Released Apr 23, 2024·Single player

Platforms
Xbox Series XPCPS5Switch
Genres
PlatformerPuzzleAdventureIndie
Critic70/100
Across 8 reviews
AgreementData pendingNo votes yet
About

Tales of Kenzera: Zau is a 2.5D metroidvania developed by Surgent Studios and published under the EA Originals label. The game follows Zau, a young shaman who bargains with Kalunga, the God of Death, to revive his father. Players explore the mythological lands of Kenzera, using Zau's athletic abilities—such as double jumping, wall jumping, and air dashing—to traverse the environment. Equipped with the sun mask for melee attacks and the moon mask for ranged combat, Zau can upgrade both weapons along distinct paths. As players gain new skills, they unlock previously inaccessible areas, progressing through a world filled with ancestral spirits and powerful monsters.

Reviews

9 reviews
Nintendo Life logo
Nintendo Life
Oliver Reynolds·Apr 26, 2024
Critic60/100
Agreement—

Tales of Kenzera: ZAU is a decent game, but it sits in the shadow of much better Metroidvanias on the Switch. We love the setting and storyline, but as Surgent Studios' first stab at what has proven to be a wildly popular genre over the years, it struggles to set itself apart with rather bland exploration and repetitive combat. Coupled with compromised visuals and performance on Switch, veterans of the genre may want to give this one a miss. For newcomers, however, the breezy gameplay might make for a nice introduction to Metroidvanias.

Read full review at Nintendo Life →
No vote recorded.
Pure Xbox logo
Pure Xbox
PJ O'Reilly·Apr 24, 2024
Critic70/100
Agreement—

Tales of Kenzera: ZAU is a solid debut for Surgent Studios and a genuinely heartfelt and moving piece of art to boot. We love its focus on narrative aspects, and the obvious time and effort that's been put into its characters and dialogue. For anyone who's had to go through the pain of losing a family member there's a genuinely emotional and uplifting adventure to undertake here, regardless of some slight clunkiness along the way.

Read full review at Pure Xbox →
No vote recorded.
Eurogamer logo
Eurogamer
Ed Nightingale·Apr 22, 2024
Critic80/100
Agreement—

Eurogamer's review of Tales of Kenzera: Zau, which lacks creative game design but makes up for it in vital, passionate storytelling.

Read full review at Eurogamer →
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Push Square logo
Push Square
Liam Croft·Apr 22, 2024
Critic50/100
Agreement—

Tales of Kenzera: ZAU tells a touching, personal story of family, grief, and loss, but it's wrapped up in a game that makes appreciating that narrative a lot harder than it should be. A Metroidvania in only the most basic of ways, its combat and platforming are spoilt by basic design and structure, as well as controller issues and frustrating one-hit kills. At its best when left to simply tell its story, Tales of Kenzera: ZAU falters once you have to start playing.

Read full review at Push Square →
No vote recorded.
Rock Paper Shotgun logo
Rock Paper Shotgun
Alice Bell·Apr 22, 2024
Critic—
Agreement—

Tales Of Kenzera has a sensitive story and is beautifully designed, with an intriguing world to explore - but some imprecision lets it down in the platforming and combat. It's still more than worth a go for players looking for something fresh.

Read full review at Rock Paper Shotgun →
No vote recorded.