Tales of Kenzera Zau - A Colorful Metroidvania Adventure

31 January 2024 / by Fabian Roßbach
Tales of Kenzera Zau - A Colorful Metroidvania Adventure

Tales of Kenzera Zau, the new game from Surgent Studios, is nearing release and promises to be a visual feast for players. This Metroidvania game tells a story of loss and the lengths one would go to regain what was once lost – even if it means dealing with the God of Death.

Release Date of Tales of Kenzera Zau

Mark your calendars for April 23, 2024, because that's when Tales of Kenzera Zau will be officially released. The game will be available on PC via Steam, Epic Games Store, and the EA app, as well as on Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch.

Pre-ordering the game on these platforms comes with several bonuses, including a 10% discount, visual effect variants, in-game ability unlocks, and a digital companion comic. Additionally, there will be a demo version of Tales of Kenzera Zau available on February 5, 2024, as part of the Steam Next Fest.

The Story Behind Tales of Kenzera Zau

Tales of Kenzera Zau tells the story of Zau, a young shaman grieving the loss of his father. Zau decides to embark on a journey to retrieve his father – his Baba – by negotiating with the God of Death. Zau must confront his own emotions to become a worthy Nganga – a spiritual healer. Along the way, he learns to make peace with loss and death and embrace the power of love.

The story, inspired by actor Abubakar Salim's personal experiences with grief, revolves around the discovery of "how love gives us the courage to move forward after devastating loss," according to the official website.

The Trailer for Tales of Kenzera Zau

The trailer for Tales of Kenzera Zau sets the stage for the story and gives us a glimpse of the stunning 2.5D environments and the dual-layered combat system. To defeat his enemies, Zau utilizes two masks: The Sun and The Moon. These masks grant Zau unique powers and must be used strategically to overcome his most fearsome foes.

Zau's Sun powers revolve around fire, and equipped with the Sun mask, he can hurl fiery spears at his enemies and burn parts of the environment. The Moon powers serve as a counterbalance, allowing Zau to crystallize enemies and his surroundings, with the added ability to control time.

We see massive bosses, a variety of enemies, and some mind-bending platforming sections. It seems that Zau's powers are not only used for combat but also for navigation, with entire areas needing to be crystallized before he can traverse them.

Conclusion: A Promising Game for Platforming Fans

Tales of Kenzera Zau promises to be an exciting and visually stunning game for fans of the Metroidvania genre. With its deep story, innovative gameplay, and breathtaking graphics, it could quickly become a favorite among platforming adventures. If you're a fan of colorful and emotional journeys, Tales of Kenzera Zau should definitely be on your list.

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