Tales of Kenzera: Zau

Tales of Kenzera: Zau is a Metroidvania full of heart and soul. With its engaging combat, sublime soundtrack and story that grabs your attention from the get-go, fans of the genre should consider this a must-have.

Tales of Kenzera: ZAU is a triumph for Surgent Studios. The team has clearly thought long and hard about how to best depict this tale of grief and has presented it in a way that perfectly parses how it feels to come to terms with the loss of a loved one.

Fluid gameplay, challenging puzzles, and a heart wrenching story — all wrapped up in a roughly 8 hour journey that will rest with you for far longer. My hope is that Tales of Kenzera: ZAU inspires other developers to explore the stories of Africa with as much love as Surgent Studios. I’m certainly yearning for more.

Tales of Kenzera: Zau is an impressively built Metroidvania game that weaves enjoyable gameplay and deep emotional storytelling.

When it comes to action RPGs, most games are focused on the elements of combat and exploration. The story often feels secondary, tacked on or irrelevant. Tales of Kenzera: Zau is one of those rare games that strikes a near-perfect balance between engaging action and a genuinely heartfelt and emotionally rich narrative. For that reason — and many others — Tales of Kenzera: Zau is worth looking at f...

Tales of Kenzera: Zau is a bold first outing from developer Surgent Studio. While not without flaws, this well-crafted Metroidvania should delight fans of the genre as well as those who love a heartfelt story.

A solid metroidvania with a timeless story to tell.

“Tales of Kenzera: Zau is more effective as a moving reflection on grief than as a Metroidvania.”

Tales Of Kenzera: ZAU is a solid debut title from Surgent Studios, with its strongest aspects coming from the art style, world design and a truly impactful story. It's gameplay however lacks the same depth, and doesn't do enough to set itself apart in a genre crowded with some of the best games ever made.

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.

Tales of Kenzera: Zau delivers a genuinely touching and heartfelt story in a rich and mystical world, even if it lets itself down with its combat, platforming, and design.

Despite issues with its difficulty balance and some of the elements of the metroidvania genre, Tales of Kenzera: Zau is still a promising start for Surgent Studios, with its smooth, fast gameplay, astounding world, engrossing story and jaw-dropping visuals. Hopefully we'll be returning to Kenzera sometime in the future, because no matter what form any future tales may take, there's a ton of potent...