Zenko: A Fox's Tale

About

Zenko: A Fox's Tale is a single player action game with a fantasy theme. It was developed by Wolf Packtics and was released on August 6, 2021. It received positive reviews from players.

Zenko: A Fox's tale is a 3D adventure platformer that takes place in a Japanese inspired environment. A whimsical fox must move between realms to capture wandering spirits, discover new abilities, and restore an abandoned shrine.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

90%

Audience ScoreBased on 48 reviews

gameplay7 positive mentions

optimization3 negative mentions

Charming and beautifully crafted world with a relaxing atmosphere, making exploration enjoyable.
Engaging platforming mechanics with a unique realm-switching feature that adds a fun challenge.
For a free game, it offers a solid experience with cute visuals and enjoyable gameplay.

Camera sensitivity is too high, making it difficult to control and navigate effectively.
Some technical issues, including bugs and performance problems, detract from the overall experience.
Lack of a remapping option for controls and minimal story content may leave some players wanting more.

gameplay
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
70%
30%
The gameplay is well-crafted for a free game, featuring solid platforming mechanics, engaging puzzle-solving, and a unique realm-switching mechanic that enhances the experience. Players appreciate the intuitive controls, good checkpoint system, and the challenge of timing jumps and dashes, making it a fun and visually appealing platformer. Overall, while not groundbreaking, the game offers a satisfying and enjoyable experience with its aesthetic and gameplay elements.
- “For a free game, it’s surprisingly well-made, with solid platforming mechanics and a good balance of puzzle-solving.”
- “Nice chill 3D platformer with good graphics and atmosphere. There is a realm switch game mechanic that toggles platforms, and the platforming can get trickier in later stages when you need to time your jumps and dashes carefully. Fortunately, there are good checkpoints, so it's not too frustrating.”
- “Pretty solid platformer with a great aesthetic and a well-implemented dimension-hopping mechanic that smoothly changes the map around you. Would recommend it as an hour well spent.”
graphics
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
63%
38%
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their charming aesthetic, featuring a rural village vibe with soft, warm colors and a captivating atmosphere. Players appreciate the detailed art style and the engaging environments, although some express disappointment over certain design choices, such as the absence of a character's three-tail form in specific realms. Overall, the visuals contribute significantly to the game's appeal, enhancing the platforming experience.
- “Nice chill 3D platformer with good graphics and atmosphere. There is a realm switch game mechanic that toggles platforms, and the platforming can get trickier in later stages when you need to time your jumps and dashes carefully. Fortunately, there are good checkpoints, so it's not too frustrating.”
- “The graphics are nice, giving a beautiful Japanese scene in the game, with some secrets to discover too.”
- “The aesthetics and environment are absolutely great, and the gameplay is engaging.”
- “I just find it a bit sad that the fox doesn't take his three-tail form in the ghostly realm like the game artwork shows.”
- “The graphics are disappointing and don't live up to the expectations set by the promotional material.”
- “The rural village aesthetic is nice, but the overall graphics feel outdated and lack detail.”
story
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The story aspect of the game is minimal, with players primarily following a cute fox character in a Japanese-inspired setting without a substantial plot or combat elements. While the experience is visually appealing and features enjoyable moments, many reviewers express disappointment over the lack of depth and narrative engagement, as the gameplay revolves around unlocking powers rather than a cohesive storyline.
- “It's beautiful, not too long, doesn't drag out the story and doesn't go to unnecessary lengths to make it longer or shorter.”
- “There isn't much in the way of story here as we assume the role of the eponymous fox, or rather kitsune, considering this appears to be based on a Japanese-inspired mythological setting, and without much aplomb are made to follow some sort of blue spirit.”
- “Cute fox, cute story and actually really solid platforming!”
- “Also note there is not much of a story and no combat.”
- “There isn't much in the way of story here as we assume the role of the eponymous fox, or rather kitsune considering this appears to be based on a Japanese-inspired mythological setting, and without much aplomb are made to follow some sort of blue spirit.”
- “I'm actually disappointed there is no plot to speak of as you just follow along, unlock more powers, rinse and repeat.”
music
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The music in the game is generally praised for its relaxing quality and ability to enhance the atmosphere, though some players note that the transitions between realms can feel awkward. While the soundtrack may not be extensive, it effectively complements the visuals and overall experience, with some users expressing a desire to purchase the original soundtrack.
- “This one stood out to me in so many ways: the graphics, the music, the lore, and tips and tricks.”
- “I'd buy the OST if they sold it.”
- “The scenery and music work together perfectly to create a good atmosphere.”
- “The music is relaxing, but the change of tone when you switch realms can feel jarring, especially if you switch frequently.”
- “There's not much in the way of a soundtrack.”
- “I would buy the OST if they sold it.”
atmosphere
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
75%
The game's atmosphere is enchanting and immersive, enhanced by lovely world design, beautiful graphics, and harmonious music. Players appreciate the magical feel during exploration, complemented by a zen-like ambiance that supports the platforming experience, making it both engaging and enjoyable.
- “The world design is lovely, with an enchanting atmosphere that makes exploration feel magical.”
- “Nice chill 3D platformer with good graphics and atmosphere; there is a realm switch game mechanic that toggles platforms, and the platforming can get trickier in later stages when you need to time your jumps and dashes carefully. Fortunately, there are good checkpoints, so it's not too frustrating.”
- “The scenery and music work together perfectly to create a good atmosphere too.”
- “The game seems to intentionally create a zen atmosphere, but it often feels empty and lacking in depth.”
- “While the visuals aim for a serene atmosphere, they ultimately fall flat and fail to engage the player.”
- “The atmosphere is supposed to be immersive, but it feels more like a hollow shell with no real substance.”
optimization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviewers suggest that the game's optimization is lacking, recommending a switch from Unreal Engine to a more efficient engine for future projects to enhance performance.
- “Whatever the next game you guys make, ditch Unreal Engine for a more optimized engine.”
- “The game runs poorly on my system, even with the settings lowered to the minimum.”
- “I experienced frequent frame drops and stuttering, which made the gameplay frustrating.”