Tales of Kenzera: Zau is a 2.5D metroidvania developed by Surgent Studios and published under the EA Originals label. The game follows Zau, a young shaman who bargains with Kalunga, the God of Death, to revive his father. Players explore the mythological lands of Kenzera, using Zau's athletic abilities—such as double jumping, wall jumping, and air dashing—to traverse the environment. Equipped with the sun mask for melee attacks and the moon mask for ranged combat, Zau can upgrade both weapons along distinct paths. As players gain new skills, they unlock previously inaccessible areas, progressing through a world filled with ancestral spirits and powerful monsters.
About the story
Wield the dance of the shaman. Reclaim your father’s spirit. 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, 3 mighty beings lie in wait, fearsome in their strength yet somehow strangely familiar. Will you embrace the dance of the shaman?
Platforms
Switch PC PS5 Series X|SGenres
Adventure Indie Platform PuzzleThemes
Action Fantasy
Languages: Spanish (Mexico) and 8 more
| Interface | Audio | Subtitles | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spanish (Mexico) | |||
| English | |||
| French | |||
| Italian | |||
| German | |||
| Spanish (Spain) | |||
| Japanese | |||
| Chinese (Simplified) | |||
| Portuguese (Brazil) |
Media
Critic Reviews
GameBlast
By Victor VitórioWith its ups and downs, Tales of Kenzera: ZAU manages to make the experience worthwhile and still stands out in some areas, especially in the deeply human narrative and the art of the scenarios. The simplicity of the campaign is a double-edged sword: it may please beginners, but it may not satisfy those who want a deeper challenge and exploration.
Gameffine
By Uphar DuttaTales of Kenzera ZAU is a brilliant platformer adventure game that is visually appealing and backed by a solid storyline with heart-touching voiceovers. The game is not free of bugs, and may not excite you in terms of progression, but the exploration will keep you hooked. If you’re a platformer aficionado, ZAU is the right pick for you!
GameOnly
By Przemysław NaglikTales of Kenzera: ZAU disappoints at every step. Someone came up with an idea for the world, and then they had to improvise a whole game around it. At the end, we got a mediocre mishmash of various ideas, which isn't enjoyable at all.
Pixel Arts
By Navid Khorram KhorshidTales of Kenzera: ZAU is a visually stunning game, complemented by good music and a passable story, but ultimately it lands as a rather ordinary experience. Given that gameplay is the heart of any video game, the borrowed, shallow, and repetitive mechanics of this title quickly dull the impact of its visual and audio charm. By the time you reach the end—if you haven't given up midway—you're left feeling like you've merely completed a chore. And when you factor in the frame rate drops on the Nintendo Switch, calling this game "average" might be a bit too generous.
GameMAG
ByTales of Kenzera: ZAU is an example of an interesting concept blighted by lazy implementation.
