Tales of Kenzera: Zau

84%
Game Brain Score Based on 389 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Tales of Kenzera: Zau Game Cover
A hallmark of excellence. There may be flaws, but they are negligible and won't cause massive damage.
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"Tales of Kenzera: Zau" is a single-player Fantasy Platformer game with an intriguing story of a grieving boy who becomes a warrior shaman, Zau, to reclaim his father's spirit. With stellar graphics, a compelling gameplay, and an ingenious soundtrack, players will journey through the beautiful yet treacherous lands of Kenzera, facing formidable foes and mythical characters. This emotionally-driven game is inspired by actor Abubakar Salim’s own experience with grief, making it a wholesome and memorable experience.

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Reviews

84%
Audience ScoreBased on 389 reviews
story168 positive mentions
grinding10 negative mentions
  • Beautiful art style and graphics that create an immersive experience.
  • Engaging story that explores themes of grief and loss, resonating with many players.
  • Good voice acting and music that enhance the overall atmosphere of the game.
  • Level design is linear with minimal backtracking, making it feel less like a true metroidvania.
  • Combat can become repetitive with a lack of enemy variety and some frustrating mechanics.
  • Some platforming sections and chase sequences can be overly punishing due to camera issues and hitbox problems.
  • story321 mentions

    The story of "Tales of Kenzera: Zau" is a deeply emotional exploration of grief and loss, centered around a young man’s quest to reclaim his deceased father's soul, intertwined with African folklore. Players appreciate the heartfelt narrative, strong character development, and excellent voice acting, although some find the story predictable and the pacing uneven. Overall, the game is praised for its beautiful visuals and music, making it a compelling experience for those who value storytelling in gaming.

    • “It's a really visually striking game with a lot of heart behind the story!”
    • “A beautiful story about letting people go wrapped up in the package of a very competent platformer.”
    • “The story hits hard, especially with how Zau handles his dad's passing.”
    • “The story feels bland, and I don't feel engaged with the main character or his journey.”
    • “You can tell that the story of loss is deeply personal to the developers, but everything is just skin deep; the story is not told in a way that makes you feel any sort of attachment to the characters nor any intense emotions.”
    • “The story is nothing to write home about, but I want to give it a bit more of a pass because it's not excessively intrusive and does lead to a fairly tender ending.”
  • gameplay139 mentions

    The gameplay of "Tales of Kenzera: Zau" has received mixed reviews, with many praising its fluid mechanics and engaging combat, particularly the dual-mask system that offers varied playstyles. However, criticisms highlight a lack of enemy variety, simplistic level design, and occasional clunky controls that detract from the overall experience. While the game excels in storytelling and visuals, some players feel that the gameplay does not fully capitalize on its potential, leaving it feeling somewhat basic and unrefined.

    • “The platforming was tight, the combat was fun and varied, due to the two masks giving entirely different gameplay feels, and the story was excellent.”
    • “Beautiful, emotional storyline, vibrant and awesome visuals and landscapes, superb voice acting, and smooth, fun battle and movement mechanics.”
    • “Tight and challenging gameplay, gorgeous visuals and a beautifully written story.”
    • “The level design, enemies, action, and fighting mechanics are all rather dull and bland.”
    • “Gameplay-wise, there is a huge lack of variety in the creatures/enemies to fight.”
    • “But the gameplay is pretty basic, and sometimes clunky.”
  • graphics100 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim for their stunning art style, vibrant visuals, and attention to detail, often compared to high-quality animated series and other successful titles like Ori. Players appreciate the beautiful landscapes and character designs, which enhance the overall storytelling experience. However, some critiques mention that while the visuals are impressive, certain gameplay elements, such as hitbox accuracy and environmental interest, could be improved.

    • “Stunning visuals.”
    • “The visuals and art design are beautiful.”
    • “A very beautiful game, with great graphics and music.”
    • “Visuals: Zau doesn't stand out enough from the background, and while this doesn't hurt gameplay, it is annoying.”
    • “Your character feels floaty and odd to control, the camera feels a bit too zoomed out, and the art style is colorful, but still somehow feels very generic even with all the cultural references.”
    • “Not only is this game an extremely mediocre janky metroidvania with a terrible art style, but the head developer of this game is openly racist and sexist, saying that white men are dangerous and make her feel 'unsafe'.”
  • music86 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers highlighting its beauty, emotional depth, and ability to enhance the overall atmosphere. The soundtrack is described as both soothing and immersive, effectively complementing the game's narrative and visuals. While some found it memorable and impactful, a few noted that certain tracks didn't stand out as particularly exceptional, yet overall, the music is considered a standout feature of the game.

    • “The main theme is soothing and somewhat somber, the soundtrack is excellent at setting the mood, and the voice acting is bursting with emotion, helping you immerse yourself in the story.”
    • “Beautiful writing & world building, best-in-class voice acting, incredible music, vibrant and colorful art design.”
    • “The music was fantastic and flowed with the story very well.”
    • “I was barely entertained enough to keep going for most of the journey, and it was really just the visuals and music that held my interest.”
    • “The only redeeming aspect of the game is its soundtrack.”
    • “The soundtrack is definitely competent and helps build up the world and atmosphere very well, but none of the tracks were bangers for me.”
  • emotional58 mentions

    The emotional aspect of "Tales of Kenzera: Zau" is widely praised for its heartfelt storytelling, which effectively explores themes of grief, family, and personal growth. Players appreciate the game's ability to balance emotional depth with engaging gameplay, though some note that certain elements could have been more impactful. Overall, the combination of touching narratives, vibrant visuals, and solid mechanics creates a memorable experience that resonates with many players.

    • “It's hard to thread the needle between something emotional and something that is still fun to play, but that is exactly what Zau achieves.”
    • “This is a touching journey where Zau must help several other people deal with their own grief in order to give rest to the spirits, while also learning how to handle his own grief.”
    • “The story is the game's strongest suit, reaching emotional touches you don't often see in games.”
    • “The story and characters are boring; there is nothing special about any of them, and the protagonist feels rushed with no growth until a sudden, unrealistic maturity.”
  • optimization24 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with many players noting improvements following a recent patch that addressed bugs and removed Denuvo. While some users experienced performance issues, particularly on the Steam Deck, others reported smooth gameplay even on lower-end systems. The standout elements, such as voice performances and storytelling, often overshadowed the occasional glitches and frame drops.

    • “I was going to complain about some occasional bugs and performance issues, especially on the Steam Deck, but yesterday they released a patch that fixed a lot of them and even removed Denuvo, which I really appreciate.”
    • “Performance is good from a powerful PC all the way down to the Steam Deck.”
    • “Great game in my opinion, despite some dips here and there; it is very well optimized.”
    • “Some minor presentation issues (some walk cycle animations and performance in the second last area) and the inclusion of Denuvo somewhat sour the experience, but overall I really enjoyed this game.”
    • “- Performance on Steam Deck had some issues, with some hefty frame drops at certain points, but nothing that rendered the game unplayable.”
    • “Crashes and won't boot, poorly optimized.”
  • grinding10 mentions

    Reviews on grinding in the game are mixed; while some players appreciate the lack of hardcore grinding and enjoy the well-paced collectathon elements, others find certain aspects, like poorly designed arenas and tedious checkpoints, to be frustrating. The game offers a balance, but those who dislike repetitive grinding or backtracking may find it challenging. Overall, the experience can vary significantly based on individual preferences for difficulty and gameplay style.

    • “That is annoying in and of itself, but then throw in some bizarre checkpointing and things can become tedious quick.”
    • “Tough levels: if you're not into grinding through a level a few times, this might test your patience.”
    • “Arenas are poorly designed and become tedious, especially in the presence of traps, necessitating complete sequence restarts upon any misstep.”
  • stability8 mentions

    Overall, the game's stability is mixed; while many players report smooth performance, particularly on the Steam Deck OLED, some have encountered occasional framerate drops and glitches. A few users experienced significant issues, including the game failing to launch after multiple attempts, indicating that stability may vary depending on the platform and individual setups.

    • “No glitches to be found.”
    • “Runs great on the Steam Deck OLED as well...”
    • “Graphics are really nice and runs great on my PC.”
    • “While the game runs smoothly for the most part, I did encounter a few glitches here and there.”
    • “There are also some glitches and oversights that hamper the experience.”
    • “Couldn't even get the game to run after restarting my PC and trying 5 times; it's clearly a buggy mess with stinky sweet baby fingerprints all over it.”
  • humor5 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by witty dialogue and engaging banter, particularly between the main character and the god of death, which adds both comedic and emotional depth. Players appreciate the funny hitboxes and the natural chemistry between characters, enhancing the overall experience without feeling forced.

    • “The highlight is definitely the story and the dialogue between the main character and the god of death, who have frequent banter that's funny and often touching.”
    • “I never got into the story, and this is where Zau just takes you along easily – with some good humor and heartfelt emotions which never seem forced or overdone.”
    • “Abubakar Salim nails it as Zau and his chemistry with Kalunga is funny and realistic.”
  • atmosphere3 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is enhanced by a competent and beautiful soundtrack that complements its unique setting and art style, although some players feel that the tracks lack standout appeal. Overall, the music effectively contributes to the immersive experience.

    • “The music is beautiful and complements the game's atmosphere perfectly.”
    • “Unique setting, art style, music, and atmosphere in general.”
    • “The soundtrack is definitely competent and helps build up the world and atmosphere very well.”
    • “The soundtrack is definitely competent and helps build up the world and atmosphere very well, but none of the tracks were memorable for me.”
    • “The game lacks a cohesive atmosphere, making it hard to immerse myself in the world.”
    • “While the visuals are stunning, the overall atmosphere feels flat and uninspired.”
  • character development2 mentions

    While the character development for Zau could have been more extensive, the overall narrative is praised for its beauty and emotional depth. The game excels in gameplay, voice work, world-building, and character design, with a strong appreciation for its cultural lore, though some players feel an open-world format could enhance the experience further.

    • “Beautiful, moving story, fun, challenging gameplay, phenomenal voice work and world building, S-tier character design and artwork, the attention paid to Bantu lore. Honestly, the only thing that would put this even further above and beyond than it already is would be if this was an open-world RPG.”
    • “The character development feels shallow and lacks depth, making it hard to connect with the protagonists.”
    • “I was disappointed by how predictable the character arcs were; they didn't evolve in any meaningful way.”
    • “The characters seem one-dimensional, and their growth throughout the story is minimal at best.”
  • replayability2 mentions

    Hollow Knight is praised for its replayability, though some players express a desire for additional features like rogue-like elements or tower climbing to enhance the experience further.

    • “If you're looking for that sort of replayability, I'd recommend Hollow Knight.”
    • “I wish they would add some sort of roguelike or tower climbing feature for endless replayability!”
  • monetization1 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game is viewed negatively due to its early access status, which raises concerns about future improvements and advertising. Additionally, the requirement for an online connection, particularly on handheld devices like the Steam Deck, is seen as a drawback. Overall, while players appreciate the game's quality, they hope for better support and visibility.

    • “The monetization model is frustrating; it feels like the game is designed to push players towards spending more money rather than enjoying the experience.”
    • “I can't believe how many in-game purchases are required just to progress. It ruins the overall enjoyment of the game.”
    • “The constant prompts to buy additional content are overwhelming and take away from the immersion of the game.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

73% average critic score

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Play time

2hMedian play time
2hAverage play time
2-2hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 1 analyzed playthroughs

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