Tales of Kenzera: Zau
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As the first game from Surgent Studios , Tales of Kenzera : ZAUlooks to not only create a new universe for future art to take place in , but also serve as a love letter to Metroidvanias , African culture , and the very bit of aggrieve for at peace loved ones . It ’s a gorgeous , fully realized earth steeped in double meanings , intense colour , and incredible medicine . For anyone who has lost a parent , it also gain incredibly close to home .
Ademo forTales of Kenzera : ZAUreleased during Steam Next Fest earlier this class , and unlike some limited - time demos which were available during the event , this one is still available to download now . If you ’re at all on the fencing about the game , I ’d highly recommend doing so , as it provides an excellent look at the package on offer . For those who do n’t have that option , or do n’t wish playact games until they are fully free , get me be the latest soul to guarantee you that , yes , Tales of Kenzera : ZAUplays as good as it take care .
Devil May Cry Meets Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night
Flashy Combat That Packs Multiple Punches
In the imaginary line graph of side - scroll action platformers , Tales of Kenzera : ZAUfeels middling like the midpoint betweenOri and the Will of the WispsandGuacamelee . Zau , the eccentric players will be inhabit , is a herculean shaman , and ( thankfully ) comes withMetroidvania plot stapleslike dash , double jump , and the ability to surround jump already unlocked . The core chemical element of combat revolve around the two magic masks Zau carries , the Sun mask and the Moon masque , which allow him to channel his powers into either ranged or melee attacks . These masquerade party will also gain ability which can be used to traverse the environment in unlike shipway , like the power to freeze out water so Zau can wall jump up waterfalls .
The Sun mask permit Zau to produce speedy melee combos , while the Moon mask render him the top executive to go off projectile at target far away . Each masque has its own separate raise tree , and participant are powerfully bucked up to switch between them ( easily done by pressing the remaining bumper on a gamepad ) during combat .
The battles are challenging without being mind - numbingly difficult , and the mo of fighting inTales of Kenzera : ZAUare often placed between brief sections of teaser - solving or platforming challenges , which allow for a breath between brush not always present in game of this character . Switching between the two combat style to range of mountains jazz group - like performing a heavy attack with the Sun masquerade , then swop to the Moon mask to rapid - fire projectiles at the still - airborne foe , effectively juggling them in the aura - is extremely satisfying . Unlockable skill upgrades , like the ability to tot aGears of War - style active reloadsystem to your projectile blasts , only enhances the experience .
The Other Stuff Is Good, Too
Tales of Kenzera Is A Complete Package With A Confident Price
It ’s not often that a plot ’s soundtrack really fend out to me ( mostly because I have n’t professionally reviewedgames scored by Austin Wintory ) but the music inTales of Kenzera : ZAUis unbelievable . Composed by Nainita Desai and recorded by a wide reach of musician in place like Vienna , Austria , and Abbey Road in Englad , during our prevue all I wanted was more metre dedicated to hearing how Desai created this amazing soundtrack . In a Q&A academic session after the intro was over , Desai thankfully confirm thatTales of Kenzera : ZAU’ssoundtrack will be getting its own particular release , and will be usable on streaming overhaul in the futurity .
It ’s hard not to recommendTales of Kenzera : ZAUalready , even in its current demonstration and prevue form .
Speaking of sound , it should be no surprise to those who cognise Surgent Studios ' founder Abubakar Salim ( ofAssassin ’s Creed OriginsandRaised by Wolvesfame ) that the interpreter act inTales of Kenzera : ZAUis top - notch . Salim plays Zau himself , and other cast members include Simona Brown , Tristen D. Lalla ( who does an especially terrific caper as Kalunga , the God of Death ) , Dominique Moore , Abraham Popoola , Letoya Makhene , andSteve Toussaint ( House of the Dragon ) . It ’s a stellar card , and coalesce with Desai ’s marvellous score makes for one of thoseextremelyrare game where I do n’t feel the need to advance the dialogue box just because I finish read the subtitles .
The history ofTales of Kenzera : ZAUis about death , and Salim has been outspoken in both interviews and insistence outcome about how the loss of his own father drove the creative sight behind the secret plan . Zau has lost his Father-God , and makes a bargain with the God of Death to pour down three great heart in interchange for his father ’s life back . It ’s a personal , internal narrative engulf in African culture and mythology , and ( talk from experience ) if role player themselves have been in this situation in the yesteryear , it will strike very closely to home .
It ’s hard not to recommendTales of Kenzera : ZAUalready , even in its current demonstration and preview word form . It ’s a clear-cut passion project from a gifted team of creatives who all seem evenly dedicated to making certain Salim ’s love varsity letter to his father is understood and have by as many multitude as potential , and almost as an accidental afterthought they have also create an incredibly imaginative creation and universe where future stories may be told .
Screen Rantattended a practical display case with the development team ( and play the demo conscientiously during Steam Next Fest ) for this trailer .
Tales of Kenzera: ZAU is an action-adventure RPG and the debut game from Surgent Studios. Players take on the role of Zau, a young shaman man grieving the loss of his father as his spirit is claimed by death. To save his soul, Zau must travel through the lush landscapes and various biomes of Kenzera to strike a deal with the god of death.
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Tales of Kenzera : ZAU is an action - adventure RPG and the debut game from Surgent Studios . Players take on the role of Zau , a young shaman man sorrow the red ink of his beginner as his heart is claimed by demise . To save his soul , Zau must move around through the lush landscape painting and various biome of Kenzera to strike a hatful with the god of death .
