76
CRITIK
Tales of Kenzera: ZAU
Wield the dance of the shaman. Reclaim your father’s spirit. Brave the beautiful and treacherous land of Kenzera with the God of Death in Tales of Kenzera: Zau, a metroidvania-style adventure crafted by Surgent Studios.
Critik
Scorecard
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Story and Narrative
87
Critics unanimously hailed Tales of Kenzera: ZAU for its emotional depth, rich narrative rooted in African Bantu tradition, and exploration of themes like grief and acceptance. The game's unique perspective on universal experiences impressed reviewers, who lauded its engaging storytelling and personal touches from the developer. While some critics didn't pinpoint any specific flaws, they focused on the protagonist's emotional journey, clever allegories, and incorporation of fables. Overall, critics praised the game's moving narrative, heartfelt storytelling, and impactful exploration of grief within a fantastical African setting inspired by Bantu mythology.
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Gameplay
73
Tales of Kenzera: ZAU impresses with classic Metroidvania gameplay, engaging combat, and challenging platforming. Critics laud its strengths in environmental puzzles and exploration but criticize its lack of depth in puzzle-solving and enemy variety. While some find combat encounters frustrating, most agree that the game offers a solid experience for fans of the genre, with room for improvement in certain areas.
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Graphics and Visual Design
79
Critics rave about the stunning and vibrant graphics in Tales of Kenzera: ZAU, praising its beautiful animations and authentic African setting inspired by Bantu tribes. Despite some issues with enemy variety and dated character models, the majority of reviewers applaud the game's unique visual aesthetic, lush environments, and immersive experience. Overall, Tales of Kenzera: ZAU is a visually captivating and engaging title that brings the world of Kenzera to life with its rich colors and cultural inspirations.
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Music and Sound Design
82
Critics raved about the Sound Design and Music of Tales of Kenzera: ZAU, applauding its rich cultural incorporation, immersive audio, and diverse musical score blending Western orchestration, sci-fi synths, ethnic instruments, and Swahili vocals. Voice acting, notably Abubakar Salim's portrayal of Zau, was also praised for enhancing storytelling. While a few critics mentioned minor issues like potentially overwhelming sound design, the overall consensus was overwhelmingly positive, with reviewers hailing the game's audio elements as crucial to its immersive and engaging gameplay experience.
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Voice Acting
83
Critics overwhelmingly praised the powerful and emotive voice acting in Tales of Kenzera: ZAU, particularly highlighting Abubakar Salim's portrayal of Zau. While some critics found the performances unremarkable, the general consensus is highly positive, with voices like Metro GameCentral and Twinfinite lauding the emotional depth and authenticity brought by the cast. Overall, the voice acting was deemed a standout aspect that significantly enhanced the immersive storytelling experience of the game.
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Technical Performance
66
Tales of Kenzera: ZAU impresses on PS5 with smooth animations and polished action sequences, creating an immersive gaming experience. However, Twinfinite criticizes floaty controls, while NME and Shacknews report technical issues on PC like bugs and frustrating gameplay moments. Despite the positives, improvements in control responsiveness and bug fixes are needed for a more seamless gaming experience on both platforms.
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Replay Value
60
Critics praise Tales of Kenzera: ZAU for its engaging story, approachable combat, and exploration rewards that enhance replay value. However, concerns about repetitive action sequences, limited exploration, and linear progression may deter some players from multiple playthroughs. Overall, the game offers incentives for replay, but mixed opinions suggest limitations that could impact its overall replayability.
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Overall Verdict
Critics rave about Tales of Kenzera: ZAU for its compelling storytelling, emotional depth, and unique African setting. Praise for the game's visuals, music, and voice acting is widespread, creating a resonant experience. However, some reviewers point out gameplay issues like consistency and repetitiveness. Despite flaws, critics agree that the game offers a captivating narrative and solid gameplay. Overall, Tales of Kenzera: ZAU is a well-crafted game with an engaging story and immersive experience, though not without its shortcomings.
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76
CRITIK
Reviews
135 reviews found85
Godisageek.com
Apr 22, 2024
This is an AI summary of the review and not a direct quote.
Well-made and confident adventure that excels in storytelling and platforming, despite lacking innovation in gameplay rewards and occasionally feeling overly serious.
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80
Eurogamer.net
Apr 22, 2024
This is an AI summary of the review and not a direct quote.
Tales of Kenzera: Zau offers a fresh and unique experience with its authentic African setting, emotive storytelling, and strong ties to folklore, despite some gameplay shortcomings. It excels in representing diverse stories and delivering a heartfelt narrative.
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80
Dailystar.co.uk
Apr 22, 2024
This is an AI summary of the review and not a direct quote.
The game is described as a brilliant and enjoyable experience, offering a mix of old-school gaming style with modern Metroidvania gameplay elements, making it an absolute bargain for the price.
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80
Nme.com
Apr 22, 2024
This is an AI summary of the review and not a direct quote.
Tales Of Kenzera: Zau plays it safe at times but its touching story, engaging combat, and fantastic performances make it a memorable experience.
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80
Shacknews.com
Apr 22, 2024
This is an AI summary of the review and not a direct quote.
Tales of Kenzera: Zau delivers a beautiful story of loss and grief, with engaging platforming challenges and superb voice acting, despite some basic gameplay elements
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80
Siliconera.com
Apr 22, 2024
This is an AI summary of the review and not a direct quote.
Tales of Kenzera: Zau is a beautiful game that combines fun platforming with a touching story of grief and acceptance. Despite some technical flaws and linear progression, the game's emotional impact and unique setting make it a worthwhile experience.
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80
Cogconnected.com
Apr 22, 2024
This is an AI summary of the review and not a direct quote.
Well-made Metroidvania with intriguing narrative and setting, sticking to familiar path but polished and fun, offering a colorful, welcoming vibe with mythic story and engaging action.
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70
Ign.com
Apr 22, 2024
This is an AI summary of the review and not a direct quote.
Tales of Kenzera: Zau delivers a heartfelt story with solid gameplay mechanics and impressive visual design, making it a worthwhile experience despite some limitations.
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70
Twinfinite.net
Apr 22, 2024
This is an AI summary of the review and not a direct quote.
Tales of Kenzera: ZAU offers a transformative tale of growth and resilience, with beautiful visuals, engaging story, and solid gameplay marred by some balancing and control issues.
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70
Metro.co.uk
Apr 22, 2024
This is an AI summary of the review and not a direct quote.
A polished Metroidvania infused with Africana, with high standards undermined by linearity and repetitive challenge levels, but still a strong offering at a bargain price.
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