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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.