From Abubakar Salim and Surgent Studios comes the opportunity to wield the dance of the shaman in Tales of Kenzera: ZAU.
Available today on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5 and PC, as well as Nintendo Switch, Tales of Kenzera: ZAU is an action adventure platformer published by the might of EA. A single player tale, it focuses on real-life events experienced by actor Abubakar Salim; a tale of grief, of loss, of love.
A single player tale
You play as Zau, all in hope of becoming the next spiritual healer of the world. But of course, as with any journey, the pathway forward won’t be so easy. Taking place in a mystical realm, in Tales of Kenzera: ZAU you’ll discover a rich world, 2.5D realms, cosmc powers and more. With Metroidvania elements front and centre, becoming the warrior shaman should well excite.
It looks great too. There’s no doubt that everything has been thrown into Tales of Kenzera: ZAU visually, with Bantu myths and culture at the fore. And that is complemented by the audio – expect to be treated to the sounds of traditional Africa. The orchestral recording alone should be enough to tempt you in.
Hopes are extremely high for this one – so much so that it’s included in our ‘Best Xbox Games for April 2024‘ article.
“Tales of Kenzera: ZAU is a culmination of years of dedication and exploration, and telling Zau’s story has been a vulnerable and unforgettable creative endeavor,” said Abubakar Salim, Surgent Studios founder and BAFTA-nominated actor. “Video games are an incredible storytelling medium that have the power to transport players to new realms and evoke powerful emotions through both new and familiar experiences; bringing Zau’s story to life made me feel closer to my late father, and honoring our memories together through this powerful medium has been an absolute blessing. We’re so thrilled to finally share Tales of Kenzera: ZAU with the world and hope that players will find as much inspiration, excitement and healing in the game as we did in bringing it to life.”
Key features
- Become the warrior shaman – Embark on a poignant single-player story shaped by actor Abubakar Salim’s own experience with grief, discovering how love gives us the courage to press on after devastating loss. As Zau, you must face your own emotions to become a worthy Nganga: a spiritual healer. Own your journey alongside mythical characters and formidable foes from whom you will gain valuable life lessons.
- The Dance of the Sun and Moon Masks – Wield cosmic powers from the Sun and the Moon to defeat restless spirits in rhythmic combat, from ordinary warriors to the mighty Impundulu or GaGorib. Manipulate time and crystallize enemies using the power of the Moon mask or launch fiery spears with the Sun Mask, all in meticulously hand-crafted animations. Leap, glide, and unlock abilities to advance through the Highlands, Woodlands and Deadlands in this metroidvania-style adventure.
- Set foot in a mystical realm – Discover a universe inspired by Bantu tales, rich with untold lore of chaos and order, memories of ancient shamans, sacred spirits and fascinating creatures. Journey through mystical 2.5D realms awash with colour and depth, emboldened by multi-award-winning composer Nainita Desai’s enchanting original score.
Buy now!
If it’s colour and depth you want in your games, you should be purchasing and downloading Tales of Kenzera: ZAU right now. You’ll find this tale playing out across Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch and PC. If you’re likely to take in your gaming with the former of those formats, hit up the Xbox Store right now. £17.99 feels like a bit of a bargain.
Our full review of Tales of Kenzera: ZAU on Xbox is coming – very soon.
Tales of Kenzera: ZAU Description
A grieving boy begins to read a Bantu tale written by his late father. Adventure into the beautiful and treacherous lands of Kenzera as Zau, a young shaman who bargains with the God of death to bring his Baba back from darkness. With your cosmic powers and untried courage, you advance into unknown mythological lands. Once bursting with life, Kenzera is now rife with lost ancestral spirits. As Zau advances toward his goal, three mighty beings lie in wait, fearsome in their strength yet somehow strangely familiar. Will you embrace the dance of the shaman?
