Review: Tales of Kenzera: ZAU – A story full of emotion | TierraGamer: news and entertainment about anime, series, video games and technology

It must be admitted that the EA Originals They are usually very successful bets. Unravel and It Takes Two They are two clear examples of how well independent productions supported by a large Publisher work. In case of Tales of Kenzera: ZAU It is one to applaud because not only is it a game of a popular genre, it is also a story based on an enriching culture.

What the Surgent Studios team has to offer is notable, because not only does it propose giving us a challenging game with the metroidvania platform genre, it is also clear what they want to achieve with the high narrative values ​​it exposes. Tales of Kenzera: ZAU. Loss is not so easy to bear and it is painful. There are things in life that are hard for us to let go of.

There is a lot of talent in the Surgent Studios team, people who want to tell extraordinary stories with the sole agenda of making people think about the most human issues. The consumer is treated as a being who pays attention to details and it is very noticeable in the effort of developing Tales of Kenzera: ZAU.

Now, these types of games can be a disaster in terms of game mechanics, since delivering a high challenge requires that the tools at the user's hand be the most useful. This is achieved, but not perfectly. Is that why it stops being a title that is not worth playing? Find out how this title is, which could very well be that new favorite metroidvania.

Metroidvanias may have history

Many metroidvanias tend to be that, challenging games that test the players' patience and skills more than a narrative that empowers the audience. In the precise case of Tales of Kenzera: ZAU We have an experience that not only provides a solid platform, but also a very entertaining and enriching narrative that will reach people who deal with the loss of a human being.

Tales of Kenzera: ZAU tells us the story of Zau, a young shaman who tries to bring his father back from death in an adventure that will make him reflect, because even though he has all the desire and strength in the world to face obstacles, such Perhaps he is not mature enough to face very critical situations or to which he believes the answers are easy to obtain.

Now, this flashback-filled adventure is based on the hero's journey like many others, the question is how well executed it is to give it a chance. The events occur in a linear manner and you obtain answers and generate questions after overcoming all kinds of challenges. The problem perhaps is that the events occur in an anticlimactic way.

What do I mean? It's easy, after you can overcome a certain barrier that is difficult to reach, such as defeating the boss of a level and overcoming a puzzle, the story can continue in one exciting way or another with minimal coherence that does not add much to the experience. It is like a disorganization of factors that affects the gaming experience. It doesn't happen all the time, but there are very specific moments that can disappoint some.

A solid combat, but not so easy to master, is what Tales of Kenzera: ZAU offers

Tales of Kenzera: ZAU It is a metroidvania, that is, a platform game in which you go from one place to another, back and forth, defeating enemies and solving puzzles. Now, you don't need a character who moves like Alucard or Samus, you need his own personality and abilities that make him special. In this case, ZAU is going to have two masks, that of the sun and that of the moon.

The basis of the Moon Mask's abilities is to attack from a distance. The development of this “weapon” allows our protagonist to control the actions of the enemies in a way in which he can stop them momentarily and not let them corner you. It may be the safest way to play, however, it is somewhat complicated.

The sun mask is much more offensive, you will see that it has fire attacks, a more “melee” attitude and going forward generating combos and attacking enemies. Now, the joke is that you combine the use of both masks. It won't be easy to get used to the combos, but it is possible. With a little practice you can make devastating attacks.

From there we have that Zau has double jumps, a dash and other basic movements. The combination of everything mentioned above makes Tales of Kenzera: ZAU It feels entertaining and challenging, but not impossible, which generates satisfaction in the players. Sure, you can increase the difficulty, but that's another topic.

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Progression feels complicated in Tales of Kenzera: ZAU

The progression of the protagonist Tales of Kenzera: ZAU It is divided into 2, the development of Zau's abilities and also passive characteristics. The first thing is clearly the skill tree which is unlocked after collecting points, points are obtained when you defeat enemies or by discovering skulls that give you information about Zau's relationship with his father.

Now, getting the points can be a slow task, you even feel like you're halfway through the game and you haven't unlocked everything. It is like a system that is certainly unfair and inflexible which forgets to reward the player. In itself it is a game with a constant back and forth, so that later you see that the bosses are half broken and you cannot defeat them.

Also the passive skills that you get are not so important for the game, but they are there. It's about being able to withstand more attacks, be more agile, and so on. Worrying about this section can be a slight waste of time. They could have removed it or left it as a level up and the difference would really be noticeable.

This is where you can tell that perhaps Surgent Studios needed a little more support in the game progression section. Although the basis of being a metroivania works very well, making the experience more complex prevents the enjoyment of going from one place to another, even when you have very specific points to give quick trips.

It can be difficult to follow the story

The story of Tales of Kenzera: Zau It is very good, there is no doubt about that. Losing a loved one can be very hard for many people, especially when it is a mom or dad. Now, death in African culture is very particular, nothing like what happens in Europe and is more or less similar to that of Mexico.

Our protagonist finds it difficult to break that bond, as he feels that his father's life was not complete and he had much more to tell. That is why a lot of emphasis is placed on bringing back that loved one. The way in which Zau matures and learns to let go is very emotional, especially because of everything he faces throughout the story.

Now, the thing is that the constant conversations that Zau has with his guide always have something that invites you to reflect, but instead of that happening in a short pause, you start fighting every enemy that comes in front of you. Sure, it's not like that all the time, but when it happens, it's a pain in the ass.

Come on, maybe it is demanding a lot from Surgent Studios, especially because it is their first video game, but it is something that they will have to attend to since their specialty is narrative. In general, the history of Tales of Kenzera: ZAU It is something that will touch your heart. If you like African culture, then even more.

Great presentation that pays tribute to the culture of Africa

Personally, I feel that the culture of the African continent is wasted. It has an enriching mythology, solid characters from which many stories can emerge. Come on, the world has the wrong perception of what a diverse continent is and what it achieves Tales of Kenzera: ZAU is to show that this region can be the perfect setting for the telling of a very sentimental story.

Now, the level design is remarkable. There are places whose nature vibrates at every moment. Then others where you can see small humble towns, but they are also very colorful and make you want to get to know them. With all this and more, you realize that something you enjoy about this game is the long journey on foot from one place to another. Sure, you also have quick transfer points, but you take away some of the excitement.

The music is another notable detail. This section is exquisite and is enjoyed from beginning to end. It is not pretentious, it is harmonious with subtle moments, fast with the most complicated combats and ceremonious when warranted. It takes you by the hand through the entire Zau adventure and directs you to reflection. You will not regret it if you stop to enjoy the landscape, as it is accompanied by some very beautiful notes.

In general, the visual and sound work of Tales of Kenzera: ZAU It is a clear tribute to a culture that is not given enough justice. There are many more stories to tell and I hope other studios, both in the region and abroad, are encouraged to take advantage of them. It is a way in which the world can connect in a very empathetic way with an area that deserves much more love.

Should you buy Tales of Kenzera: ZAU?

Just as 2024 seems to really be the year in which the RPG genre continues to take hold, it seems that the metroidvanias are on the same path. Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown was a pleasant exponent that, although it was not perfect, turned out to be very entertaining. Here comes the early release of The Rogue Prince of Persia which in its own way also looks very solid. If we add to that Tales of Kenzera: ZAU We find that the genre is still more than alive and not only thanks to independent studios.

Tales of Kenzera: Zau It is a pleasant experience since from the first minutes you feel that it has a lot of respect for both the culture of Africa and the metroidvania genre. The combat mechanics are very entertaining and challenging, the story is very emotional. We have a very satisfactory game that has some problems in its progression, however, it is still an experience that can be enjoyed at all times.

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We played Tales of Kenzera: Zau on PC with a code provided by an EA representative in our region.

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