Tales of Kenzera: Zau

"Tales of Kenzera: ZAU is an ambitious game, and this kind of endeavour should be applauded and encouraged. Seeking to harness the difficult topic of grief in the form of a Metroidvania was always a big ask. Unfortunately, on this …"

"A simple and entertaining metroidvania that, although not one of the best in the genre, is able to connect with us like few games do thanks to its powerful message."

"In Tales of Kenzera: Zau, grief and acceptance tug at your heart between bouts of refined combat and slick traversal. While seasoned Metroidvania fans will want more diversions and mystique, the game’s platforming abilities and challenges do justice to its …"

"Tales of Kenzera: Zau is a stunning, impactful and exciting first outing for Surgent Studios and, for us, a classic in the Metroidvania space that could go toe-to-toe with recent big hitters like Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown and …"

"Not that it isn’t a complete product; it would have been nice, though, to spend more time within the game and its universe. Tales of Kenzera: ZAU is just that inviting even with its heavy subject matter, such that players …"

"Tales of Kenzera: Zau conveys its somber themes with nuance and passion. It&s;s just a shame the gameplay doesn&s;t always match those highs, especially in a genre flooded with quality indies, because Zau&s;s journey – and Zuberi&s;s parallel journey – …"

"Zau&s;s journey with grief is compounded by his desire to be a valued member of his society, and to fill the empty footsteps left behind by his father&s;s death. Surgent Studio&s;s efforts to twist the heartbreaking experience of a son …"

"While there’s certainly more to be desired in terms of exploration and discovery, Tales of Kenzera: ZAU is a solid first take from Surgent Studios... There’s clearly a lot of love put in from the team, and that passion comes …"

"A classic and enjoyable metroidvania, which does not offer any particular creative ideas and delivers a challenge in line with most games in the genre. Platforming, combat and environmental puzzles alternate through scenarios inspired by African culture, in which an …"

"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;s gameplay however lacks the same depth, and doesn&s;t do enough to …"

"Tales of Kenzera: ZAU is a video game with su much heart... enclosed in an imperfect container. Moving within the various regions of Kenzera is a pleasure, but for a good part of the game the combat remains more of …"

"What Tales of Kenzera lacks in creative game design it makes up for in vital, passionate storytelling."

"Tales of Kenzera: Zau is Surgent Studios’ first attempt at creating a video game experience and they’ve knocked it out of the park. It offers a compelling journey that expertly weaves its narrative and gameplay together to tell a heartwarming …"

"Tales of Kenzera: ZAU proves that innovation isn&s;t always necessary to craft a compelling experience. With its heartfelt story, compelling protagonist, and solid metroidvania gameplay featuring excellent pacing, Zau&s;s journey is one that resonates, especially for those grappling with similar …"

"It&s;s time to take stock of Tales of Kenzera: Zau and we believe that no matter how good the story is and how quickly it makes us empathize with what happens, the game is left to owe in certain aspects …"

"Even if Tales of Kenzera: Zau&s;s combat and platforming can occasionally stumble, they act as a great compliment to the hard-hitting story and heartfelt characters that explore grief in one of the most interesting and human ways I&s;ve seen in …"

"Tales of Kenzera: Zau tells an emotionally impactful story reinforced by creative design decisions that put a physical feeling to abstract emotions. Its struggles lie in its approach to the Metroidvania genre, as its surprisingly straightforward structure sometimes undercuts the …"

"Yet, at the end of the day, what could have been just a run-of-the-mill Metroidvania is transformed into a tale of growth and resilience in Tales of Kenzera: ZAU that is well worth the investment. With Kenzera being an utterly …"

"I believe it will help anyone who plays it understand themselves more, especially if they feel the darkness life can throw at them has changed them somehow. It’s a beautiful game, an essential game, and the groundwork for what I …"

"Tales of Kenzera: Zau&s;s action isn&s;t groundbreaking within the genre, but its elevated by a truly moving tale about how to go on in this world when your loved ones have passed on to the next."

"Tight design and compelling mythology compensate for a few too many borrowed ideas."

"Tales of Kenzera: ZAU feels like a studio stretching its legs for the first time. Visually inventive, and full of great platforming, average combat and exploration lets it down"

"Tales of Kenzera: Zau builds upon the Metroidvania formula to deliver exciting action, emotional storytelling, and African cultural specificity."

"Surgent Studios&s; debut game, Tales of Kenzera: Zau, is another incredible EA Originals title."

"That narrative undercurrent makes Tales of Kenzera: Zau’s mechanics and direction less about lack of ambition than accessibility. At a mere 10 hours, this is a game whose brevity is by design. After all, its story is, ultimately, about letting …"

"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 …"

"Tales of Kenzera: ZAU tells a touching, personal story of family, grief, and loss, but it&s;s wrapped up in a game that makes appreciating that narrative a lot harder than it should be. A Metroidvania in only the most basic …"

"Tales of Kenzera: Zau is a well-made Metroidvania with an intriguing and culturally unique narrative and setting. It doesn’t try to reinvent the genre, but there’s nothing wrong with sticking to a familiar path if the result is polished and …"

"Tales of Kenzera: Zau is a well-made, confident adventure with some great voice-acting, and fluid, addictive platforming."

"A polished Metroidvania infused with Africana, whose linearity and overreliance on rote-learning action sequences undermine its otherwise high standards."

"Tales of Kenzera: ZAU is a decent game, but it sits in the shadow of much better Metroidvanias on the Switch. We love the setting and storyline, but as Surgent Studios&s; first stab at what has proven to be a …"

"As a story of loss, grief, and acceptance, Tales of Kenzera: Zau is a game like few out there. It&s;s short and, in some ways, it can be basic. Given the story that it&s;s telling, that&s;s just fine."

"Tales of Kenzera: ZAU never felt like it overstayed its welcome nor was it ever loaded with bulk and fluff to make up for its 8-12 hour playtime. While there are plenty of collectibles, a trinket system to unlock abilities …"

"Tales of Kenzera: Zau is yet another proof that the metroidvania genre can be very satisfying, whatever the story you try to tell."

"By far and away the best thing about Tales of Kenzera: Zau is its narrative, Surgent Studios have proven themselves to be quite the masterful storytellers. A story tackling grief, acceptance and loss is rare in this day and age …"

"Tales of Kenzera: ZAU is a discreet, well-thought-out metroidvania that is accessible to the vast majority of players, both experienced and new. A proposal that will be attractive to lovers of the genre. However, those who are looking for a …"