Games like The Lost Crown are key to a sustainable gaming industry, so why did it get lost in the noise? Tales of Kenzera: Zau tells the story of Zuberi, a young man in the distant future who is struggling with the loss of his father.
While dealing with his grief, he comes across a story written by his dad that focuses on Zau, a shaman from the past who is trying to revive his father’s spirit by working with Kalunga, the God of Death, to defeat three Great Spirits. The Powerful Tale Of Grief, Loss, And Love is a central theme in the game.
Both Zau and Zuberi’s struggle to deal with their father’s passing is strong and relatable. The director, Abubakar Salim, who based the game on his father’s passing, has conveyed the emotions of grief and pain through the characters of Zau and Zuberi, and their performances feel painfully real.
Initially, Zau comes off as selfish, cocky, and closed off to anyone’s pain but his own, but over time his relationship with Kalunga encourages him to open up, and the player gets to see the funny, caring, and brave shaman underneath all the pain and sorrow that he’s feeling. The gameplay of Tales of Kenzera: Zau is also noteworthy.
The platforming is smooth and satisfying, and despite being fairly linear in the early stages, it holds the promise of an evolving and branching world as the player unlocks more abilities. Combat in the game involves swapping between two distinct styles – the Moon Mask and the Sun Mask, each with its own advantages and drawbacks.
As players progress through the game, they unlock new abilities and weapons that enhance the combat experience. While the combat initially feels challenging, it later tends towards being simplistic.
However, the hope is that with the introduction of new abilities and progress through different biomes, the combat will evolve to maintain depth. In summary, Tales of Kenzera: Zau presents a powerful narrative and engaging gameplay elements that promise a great gaming experience, with the potential to be a strong addition to the Metroidvania genre in the future.
