Analysis of Tales of Kenzera: ZAU

The spirits of our land need the help of the apprentice shaman that we will control in Tales of Kenzera: ZAU.

We would all do everything possible to reunite with a loved one. We would give anything to be able to talk to that special someone, even if it was just five more minutes. This is what happens to Zau, a boy who will face the very spirits of his land in order to see the figure of his father again. And all this, we will live in this particular metroidvania where the combat extrapolates very well with the platforming moments. Welcome to Bantu culture. welcome to Tales of Kenera: EXPANSION.

Ancestral references

Surgent Studios They are responsible for offering us this original adventure where, in addition to fulfilling Zau’s wishes, we will learn more about African traditions thanks to the context of the game itself. A work placed under the EA Originals seal, with all the relevance of being under the protection of a major brand. Of course, for all the virtues we will highlight below, there are also aspects that overshadow our journey through the territories of Kenzera.

One of the main problems with Tales of Kenzera: ZAU is that competed that same year with a title of a similar court such as Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown.

And although they have different locations, themes and movements, in both games the colorful appearance and those jumps between spikes make them seem like very similar propositions. Nothing could be further from the truth since the work of Surgent Studios We forgo time travel to focus on nature itself and the power that spirits can give us.

Like night and day

Zau is a spiritual healer who wants to follow in his father’s footsteps and to do this he will have two masks that will give him different abilities. On the one hand, The Sun Spirit will provide great melee attack power. Exactly the opposite will do the trick. the spirit of the Moon, which will be very effective in launching missiles at long distances. As you can imagine, the fun of its combat mechanics will consist of alternating between one skill or another to defeat the enemies that appear on stage.

Unfortunately, Tales of Kenzera: ZAU’s combat isn’t quite perfect. This is particularly visible in close quarters clashes, where sometimes we don’t know if we hit, or if we were hit. It is not energetic, which means that some enemies will damage us even if we perform a powerful attack. This is not a serious problem, but it contrasts with the good work that exists in other areas like show jumping.

Watch out for brambles

And here we found no fault. Platforming moments feel great, and soon we will do double jumps, climb walls and avoid all kinds of dangers almost automatically. It’s a pleasure to control Zau, and with this precise control, you even want to complete the challenges that are scattered across the map. Additionally, we will learn new skills with masks, like freezing river water or activating switches with a spear,

which will offer new ways to overcome the adversities of the scenario.

And speaking of cards…we can’t forget that Tales of Kenzera: ZAU is a metroidvania, with all the importance of having a good layout of the levels. And that’s where it really shocked me. Yes, there are times when the game requires a bit go back if you want to complete the scenario 100%, but basically the story is very direct. We will rarely retrace our steps or search the corridors for a new path. Everything is quite well marked, and I would even go so far as to say that it is sometimes linear.

A great video game

If they had provided the mapping with no more connections, hidden accesses and logic in the arrangement of elements, The game would have gained several points in its favor. It’s amazing how the trees sway, the color of everything on the screen, but if there are no common links that justify the level design, everything else loses its essence a little, as well be it.

And be careful, visually I have nothing to claim. Tales of Kenzera: ZAU looks scandalous. Without jerks or technical problems and with very changing landscapes. In his sound section, he is not left out either, and We even have Swahili dubbingso that we immerse ourselves more in the African gaming culture. Details that make us see the care that the studio takes in its work, which This cannot go unnoticed unless you like the genre.

Conclusion of Tales of Kenzera: ZAU

Surgent Studios under the EA Originals label brings us this story where we will learn more about Bantu culture. We are facing an adventure very fluid, where the versatility of our protagonist stands out in the jump and in the fight itself. It is true that as metroidvania It has a very linear level design, with a go back unimportant, this will only be of interest to those who wish to carry out the mapping 100%.

Despite the flaws described, its combat and jump system works very well, and it leaves us absorbed in the 10 hours that this African odyssey that Tales of Kenzera: ZAU offers us can last. We assure you that you will not want to leave a single challenge behind, as happened to us.