Tales of Kenzera: Zau

The gameplay of "Tales of Kenzera: Zau" is characterized as a solid yet somewhat conventional metroidvania experience, featuring enjoyable mechanics and fluid traversal, though it suffers from a lack of depth and variety in combat and enemy design. While the dual-mask mechanic adds an interesting layer to combat, some players find it cumbersome and the overall gameplay can feel clunky or frustrating at times. Despite these issues, the game is praised for its beautiful visuals, engaging story, and emotional resonance, making it a worthwhile experience for fans of the genre.

The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising the stunning visuals, vibrant art style, and beautiful environments that enhance the overall experience. The Afro-futurist aesthetic and attention to detail in the artwork contribute to a unique cultural representation, making the visuals a standout feature. However, some critiques mention issues with hitbox discrepancies and a lack of high-quality assets, which slightly detract from the otherwise impressive graphical presentation.

The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its beautiful composition and ability to enhance the overall atmosphere and emotional depth of the story. The soundtrack, influenced by Sub-Saharan African themes, is described as both vibrant and soothing, effectively complementing the game's visuals and voice acting. Overall, the music stands out as a highlight, contributing significantly to the immersive experience of the game.

The emotional aspect of "Tales of Kenzera: Zau" is widely praised for its heartfelt storytelling, which explores themes of grief, family, and personal growth. Players report being deeply moved by the narrative and character interactions, often reflecting on their own experiences with loss. The combination of engaging gameplay, vibrant art, and a touching story creates a compelling emotional journey that resonates with many, making it a standout experience in the metroidvania genre.

Overall, the game's optimization has received mixed feedback. While many players noted significant performance improvements since the demo, some still experienced crashes, bugs, and frame drops, particularly on the Steam Deck. Despite these issues, the game generally runs well on a range of hardware, with smooth gameplay reported on powerful PCs and a solid experience on lower-end systems, though some minor stuttering and presentation issues were mentioned.

Reviews highlight a mixed experience with grinding in the game. While some players appreciate the lack of backtracking and find the collectible hunting enjoyable without feeling grindy, others criticize the tough levels and poorly designed arenas that can lead to tedious repetition and frustration, especially when facing difficult challenges or poorly placed checkpoints. Overall, the grinding aspect can test patience, particularly for those who dislike extensive retries.

The game's stability is mixed, with some players reporting smooth performance on platforms like the Steam Deck and PC, while others encountered significant issues, including crashes and glitches. While many enjoyed the gameplay without major bugs, a notable number of users experienced frustrating stability problems that detracted from their overall experience.

The humor in the game is highlighted by the engaging chemistry between characters, particularly Zau and Kalunga, whose interactions are both funny and realistic. The witty banter between the main character and the god of death adds a layer of humor that is often touching, making the emotional moments feel genuine rather than forced. Overall, the humor is well-integrated into the narrative, enhancing the storytelling experience.

Overall, players express a desire for enhanced replayability features, such as rogue-like elements or tower climbing mechanics, to increase the game's longevity. Some users appreciate the option to skip certain sections, which adds to their willingness to replay, while others feel the lack of exploration diminishes the game's replay value. Comparisons to titles like Hollow Knight highlight the expectation for more engaging replayability in this genre.

The game's atmosphere is praised for its unique setting and art style, with beautiful music that complements the overall experience. While the soundtrack effectively enhances the world-building, some players feel that the tracks lack standout hits. Overall, the atmosphere is considered immersive and well-crafted.

The character development in the game is generally well-received, with praise for the moving story and strong world-building, though some players feel that the character Zau could have benefited from more depth. Overall, the character design and voice work are highlighted as standout features, contributing to an engaging experience.

The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed feedback, with players expressing disappointment that it is in early access (EA) and lacks sufficient advertising. Additionally, the requirement for an online connection, particularly on handheld devices like the Steam Deck, has been noted as a drawback, despite the game's overall positive reception regarding its story and graphics.