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Game Information

Game Title: Tales of Kenzera: Zau

Platforms:

• Xbox Series X/S (Apr 23, 2024)
• PlayStation 5 (Apr 23, 2024)
• PC (Apr 23, 2024)
• Nintendo Switch (Apr 23, 2024)

Trailer:

• Tales of Kenzera: ZAU Official Gameplay Reveal Trailer
• Tales of Kenzera: ZAU Official Reveal Trailer

Developer: Surgent Studios

Publisher: Electronic Arts

Review Aggregator:

OpenCritic - 73 average - 80% recommended
Metacritic - 74 Based on 23 Critic Reviews

Critic Reviews


Atarita - Eren Eroğlu - Turkish - 80 / 100

With an emotional story, fluid gameplay and beautiful visuals, Tales of Kenzera: ZAU is an adventure that will take you on a journey to faraway lands.

But Why Tho? - Kate Sanchez - 10 / 10

Legends of Kenzera: ZAU is a triumph of storytelling. It's immersive and thoughtful in every element of Zau's journey. But the narrative, for all of its impact, doesn't stand alone. Instead, the difficulty and complexity of traversing Kenzera complement and add a tactile nature to the emotional endeavor of moving through grief.

COGconnected - Mark Steighner - 80 / 100

Quote not yet available

Glitched Africa - Marco Cocomello - 7 / 10

Tales of Kenzera: ZAU doesn’t reinvent the metroidvania genre and if anything, is quite watered-down. However, its emotional story and refreshing African influence deliver a surprising yet short game that I high recommend you all play at least once.

One More Game - Vincent Ternida - 7 / 10

Tales of Kenzera: Zau, as a narrative-driven adventure, is a must-play due to its unique lore, world, and memorable characters that keep you engaged until the end. However, as a Metroidvania, it doesn't offer too many innovations but rather more of the already established foundations of the genre, such as moderately challenging platforming, basic combat, and little else in the way of new skills and exploration.

It is a short and sweet indie game that respects your time, and, with a friendly price point, it's definitely a great meditative weekend adventure to get into that gives you some exhilarating 2D action while exploring some aspects of grief and identity that only Tales of Kenzera: Zau can offer in its unique presentation.

PSX Brasil - Portuguese - 85 / 100

Quote not yet available

Rock, Paper, Shotgun - Unscored

Tales Of Kenzera has a sensitive story and is beautifully designed, with an intriguing world to explore - but some imprecision lets it down in the platforming and combat. It's still more than worth a go for players looking for something fresh.

TheSixthAxis - Adrian Burrows - 5 / 10

Tales of Kenzera: ZAU is an ambitious game, and this kind of endeavour should be applauded and encouraged. Seeking to harness the difficult topic of grief in the form of a Metroidvania was always a big ask. Unfortunately, on this occasion, it proved a challenge that simply hasn't been met.

VGC - Jordan Middler - 3 / 5

Tales of Kenzera: ZAU feels like a studio stretching its legs for the first time. Visually inventive, and full of great platforming, average combat and exploration lets it down

WellPlayed - James Wood - 8 / 10

Tales of Kenzera: ZAU infuses the action platformer with earnest, emotional storytelling and a vibrant, compelling world to explore.

XboxEra - Jesse Norris - 8.5 / 10

Tales of Kenzera: Zau is a triumphant debut for Surgent Studios. At $20, and available on day one for PlayStation+ subscribers, any fan of the action-platformer genre would do well to check it out. Zau’s journey through loss will stick with me for a long time, and the excellent gameplay already has me itching to play through it all again.

 

[Punished Miku]

Not bad. Hard to complain when the launch price is that cheap. I'll give it a go when it hits GP.

 

[Gamer_By_Proxy]

Not bad. Hard to complain when the launch price is that cheap. I'll give it a go when it hits GP.

It's crazy how it was showcased on a Xbox show and then launches into PS+.
I don't think I've seen a game do that before.

 

[SEGAvangelist]

The Game Awards speech from the leader creator was nice, but the game just looks been there done that for me.

 

[Punished Miku]

It's crazy how it was showcased on a Xbox show and then launches into PS+.
I don't think I've seen a game do that before.

Yeah, MS threw them a bone there on marketing for sure. No idea why, but why not. A decent chunk of indies get announced in Nintendo shows but hit GP day 1, like Botany Manor. This game is EA so it will hit GP in a year.

Getting a day one deal for PS+ is good for this game.

 

[Goss Harag]

Absolutely no diversity at all in that game by the looks of it. I'm starting a boycott.

 

[Rhazer Fusion]

Looks pretty cool and interesting. Anyone else here thought this was from the Tales JRPG series when they saw the thread title though?

 

[Thick Thighs Save Lives]

"Reviews - Reviews Thread" adamsapple I can't believe you've managed to do more spelling mistakes than Draugoth does with his threads. That's surely a first for you.

As for the game itself, I'll give it try tomorrow when it launches on PS+ Extra.

 

[S0ULZB0URNE]

 

[adamsapple]

"Reviews - Reviews Thread" adamsapple I can't believe you've managed to do more spelling mistakes than Draugoth does with his threads. That's surely a first for you.

As for the game itself, I'll give it try tomorrow when it launches on PS+ Extra.

 

[Thick Thighs Save Lives]

 

[yazenov]

Absolutely no diversity at all in that game by the looks of it. I'm starting a boycott.

It's hard to tell, but I detect a hint of sweet baby in your tone.

 

[Solarstrike]

Bro where's the pics and vids

 

[Bring Back Scalebound]

Looks pretty cool and interesting. Anyone else here thought this was from the Tales JRPG series when they saw the thread title though?

This is actually the second time I got myself tricked on here...

 

[Gaiff]

Not bad for a first attempt. I'm torn. On one hand, its setting is incredibly rare in the gaming landscape. I do want to support a developer trying their hand at African-inspired myths and legends. On the other hand, it has Sweet Baby Inc's stink on it.

I'll look at more gameplay videos. I liked what I played in the demo.

 

[Heisenberg007]

This game looks and plays much better than a 73.

I hope it actually is and then good word of mouth carries it afar.

 

[GHG]

Looks pretty cool and interesting. Anyone else here thought this was from the Tales JRPG series when they saw the thread title though?

Yep I thought the same and thought I missed something in terms of it being announced.

Watched the gameplay trailer and was then reminded of what this is.

In no rush to play this, seems mediocre. I'm pretty sure it will be part of a humble monthly at some point in the future anyway.

 

[adamsapple]

Metacritic score updated to OP as well.

 

[Draugoth]

"Reviews - Reviews Thread" adamsapple I can't believe you've managed to do more spelling mistakes than Draugoth does with his threads. That's surely a first for you.

As for the game itself, I'll give it try tomorrow when it launches on PS+ Extra.

My spelling errors are so powerful they are leaking, clearly

 

[Punished Miku]

My spelling errors are so powerful they are leaking, clearly

 

[R3TRO]

Grabbed it on Steam. Looks interesting enough.

 

[Thick Thighs Save Lives]

My spelling errors are so powerful they are leaking, clearly

 

[Punished Miku]

Sorry Draugoth , I couldn't resist lol.

 

[SaiyanRaoh]

Denuvo - Strike one
SBI - Strike two
Derivative of better games - Strike three


Three strikes. Hard nope.
I don't care that it's $20.
It will only be in my steam library after it's part of some grey market steam key bundle I acquired to get a better game.

I think everyone is reviewing on a curve. Points were added most review scores due to the SBI taint.

**Originally thought this was a new 'Tales of' JRPG game months ago - bonus strike.**

 

[dorkimoe]

bought this on a whim after playing the new prince of persia, really excited to play more like this

 

[Gamer_By_Proxy]

Denuvo - nope
SBI - nope
Derivative of better games - nope


Three strikes. Hard nope.
I don't care that it's $20.
It will only be in my steam library after it's part of some grey market steam key bundle I acquired to get a better game.

I think everyone is reviewing on a curve. Points were added most review scores due to the SBI taint.

**Originally thought this was a new 'Tales of' JRPG game months ago - bonus nope.**

Putting nope next to those makes it look like it doesn't have those things. You should just change it to strike 1, strike 2, strike 3 or something.

 

[Sleepwalker]

Yep I thought the same and thought I missed something in terms of it being announced.

Watched the gameplay trailer and was then reminded of what this is.

In no rush to play this, seems mediocre. I'm pretty sure it will be part of a humble monthly at some point in the future anyway.

Same.

My day is ruined now.

 

[touchfuzzy]

I tried the demo on Steam and it was okay, controls and combat felt a little floaty and it chugged in places on Steam Deck with the settings on medium despite not looking particularly demanding. Maybe one day on sale, lots to play right now.

 

[DragoonKain]

I love Metroidvanias, will be picking this one up. Doesn't look elite tier, but looks like it'll be a fun ride at the absolute worst. And great price point.

 

[Draugoth]

Sorry Draugoth , I couldn't resist lol.

 

[kyoji]

Pretty fun so far, i couldn't believe my eyes when i came across this though, i had to double take! it seems real recognize real?! nani!?

 

[kruis]

Weird. Who is using/buying these bots to promote this game?

 

[Tangerine]

Weird. Who is using/buying these bots to promote this game?

What a joke. They have to press down on the scales to tip it their way. Without bots people would see the real ratio of likes to dislikes. Sweet baby inc detected.

 

[U n i o n 0015]

What a joke. They have to press down on the scales to tip it their way. Without bots people would see the real ratio of likes to dislikes. Sweet baby inc detected.

I'll play devil's advocate and say it's probably just part of a marketing push. The publisher hired some marketing firm, who in turn farmed the comments out to a bot farm.

Still crappy that they can't market their game in a "legit" way, but this is what has become of internet marketing in general. Dead internet theory is real.

 

[crackajack]

had hoped it might turn out surprisingly good, but not great not terrible ... good enough to try if I find time for it

 

[ByWatterson]

Just another depression simulator confirmed?

 

[sloppyjoe_gamer]

FYI....looking like the whole SOB story the creator had at the TGA when this was first announced was fishy. The dude was aligned with SBI as an insider. So tired of these lowlifes destroying our hobby.....



EDIT- I can post this in the SBI thread if mods feel appropriate

 

[Dr. Claus]

Mighty Keef being a mentally challenged dipshit. Say it isn’t so… /s

 

[adamsapple]

So ..... how's the game?

Haven't read anyone comment on it since launch.

 

[daxgame]

Second time this week I get trolled thinking it's a new "Tales of" game

 

[Gaiff]

FYI....looking like the whole SOB story the creator had at the TGA when this was first announced was fishy. The dude was aligned with SBI as an insider. So tired of these lowlifes destroying our hobby.....

Talk about an overreaction. This seems like a decent enough game based on Bantu mythology. Nothing about it is "destroying our hobby".

As long as the game doesn't beat us over the head with a political agenda, we should only care about how good it is. Looks average thus far.

 

[Dr. Claus]

Talk about an overreaction. This seems like a decent enough game based on Bantu mythology. Nothing about it is "destroying our hobby".

As long as the game doesn't beat us over the head with a political agenda, we should only care about how good it is. Looks average thus far.

It is SBI. That is exactly what it does.

 

[Gaiff]

It is SBI. That is exactly what it does.

So you played the game and know this?

 

[sloppyjoe_gamer]

Talk about an overreaction. This seems like a decent enough game based on Bantu mythology. Nothing about it is "destroying our hobby".

As long as the game doesn't beat us over the head with a political agenda, we should only care about how good it is. Looks average thus far.

SBI is 100% destroying our hobby, what about that can't you grasp?

 

[Gaiff]

SBI is 100% destroying our hobby, what about that can't you grasp?

No, it isn't. The hobby is just fine. A small company run by a few idiots can't destroy video games lol.

Furthermore, I couldn't give a fuck less about them unless they're detrimental to the narrative of the game this thread is about. Has any of you played it? If yes, then can you tell us how it damages the narrative/story of the game? Just quoting a bunch of Twitter posts tells us nothing.

 

[DarkBatman]

SBI is 100% destroying our hobby, what about that can't you grasp?

That's just a ridiculous exaggeration. I remember some people here crying about SBI destroying Alan Wake II, even though a single line of dialogue ended up being really stupid. I spent a few hours with TALES OF KENZERA: ZAU this morning and didn't even suspect that SBI somehow had a hand in this. Instead, I had a lot of fun - so I think this "they are 100% destroying our hobby" is bullshit.

 

[Gaiff]

That's just a ridiculous exaggeration. I remember some people here crying about SBI destroying Alan Wake II, even though a single line of dialogue ended up being really stupid. I spent a few hours with TALES OF KENZERA: ZAU this morning and didn't even suspect that SBI somehow had a hand in this. Instead, I had a lot of fun - so I think this "they are 100% destroying our hobby" is bullshit.

This. The gloom and gloom tactic is exactly what is constantly employed by extremists to push an agenda. "ZOMG, they're trying to make all our children gay!"

Like, come on man lol.

Glad that there's no blatant agenda in the game so far. I played the demo and there was really no sign of SBI. I might get it later because I do want to support games that have have a basis in unsung cultures and myth. That this is based on African mythology is awesome. Shame the game seems unremarkable from a gameplay standpoint, however.

 

[Gideon]

So tired of these lowlifes destroying our hobby.....

Lmao

 

[Kacho]

So ..... how's the game?

Haven't read anyone comment on it since launch.

Looking at the low player count on Steam it seems most aren’t interested in the game. The only reason it’s getting discussed is because of the involvement with SBI, which is going to be the fate of any game associated with SBI going forward.

 

[sloppyjoe_gamer]

Lots of SBI sympathizers in here today who signed into their GAF accounts by mistake instead of their Reeee ones.....yall can GFY

On topic, the game itself is generic from a gameplay perspective which was the feeling that i got from the previews anyways.