I write about TV shows like House Of The Dragon, The Witcher, The Rings Of Power, Stranger Things, Yellowjackets, Severance and many others. I also cover movies, video games, comic books and novels, largely in the fantasy, science-fiction, horror and superhero genres.
is an impressive debut from fledgling game developer Surgent Studios . Helmed by actor Abubakar Salim the game tells a timeless tale of grief and self-exploration, as its chief protagonist—Zau, a young shaman—tries to bring his father back from the dead.f at the passing of his father. That loss, and the difficulty coping with that loss, all form the game’s story—including its world design and boss fights.
This setting is wonderfully unique, steeped in legends we rarely see in video games. A gorgeous and lively score from Nainita Desai helps breathe even more life into the rolling plains and dark caverns of Kenzera. And all of this is topped off with an incredibly talented cast led by Salim himself as Zau.The game is fast-paced, starting you off with both your double-jump and dash abilities, and your baseline Sun and Moon mask combat abilities from the get-go.
Combat is often chaotic and dazzling though there’s a certain rhythm and flow once you get the hang of it. After a time, you’ll begin encountering enemies with red or blue shields that break more quickly with the Sun or Moon Mask powers respectively. At higher difficulty settings, your reflexes and ability to simply keep track of everything will be tested .
I also mostly enjoyed the game’s platforming, though I’ll have a bit more to say on that below. As you make your way through the game’s surprisingly large map, you’ll unlock new powers and abilities that open up new areas and traversal options. One power allows you to freeze rivers and waterfalls. In combat you can use this to freeze enemies as well, temporarily taking them out of the fight.
Punctuated throughout this adventure are tougher boss fights that add some nice gameplay variety, as well as special challenges that providemore difficult platforming challenges, giant trees where you can meditate to gain more HP and Trinkets that bolster Zau’s abilities, secreted away in hidden areas.
Tales Of Kenzera Metroidvania Moon Mask Tales Of Kenzera Zau Tales Of Kenzera: Zau Review Tales Of Kenzera: Zau Platforms Tales Of Kenzera: Zau Release Date Surgent Studios
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Review: ‘Tales of Kenzera: Zau’ translates the journey of grief into a video gameSurgent Studios founder creates a tribute to his late father in the form of a Metroidvania game
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Actor Abubakar Salim Finds Healing in Video GamesAbubakar Salim, an actor known for his roles in Raised by Wolves and House of the Dragon, has found healing in creating a video game that explores grief and coping with loss. The upcoming game, Tales of Kenzera: Zau, follows a young shaman who bargains with the god of death to bring his father back to life. Salim believes that gamifying grief allows for a truthful and honest depiction of the complex emotions involved.
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A 'House of the Dragon' Star Made a Video Game to Grieve His FatherAbubakar Salim lost his father a decade ago. The actor and creative director embraced 'gamifying' grief while making 'Tales of Kenzera: Zau.'
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