Tales of Kenzera: ZAU (v1.3.1.43002)

Grief gives this colorful 2D action-platformer its real weight. Tales of Kenzera: ZAU follows a young shaman named Zau, who makes a desperate bargain with the death god Kalunga: recover the spirits of three powerful beings and perhaps bring his father back. Its world draws on Bantu-inspired mythology, pairing sunlit savannas, flooded ruins, and volcanic caverns with a story framed as a father’s final tale to his son. The tone is heartfelt and mournful, but the moment-to-moment adventure stays energetic, built around rhythmic movement and fast magical combat rather than slow introspection.

Zau fights with two spirit masks that encourage constant switching. The Sun Mask favors close-range melee strikes and fiery attacks, while the Moon Mask lets him pressure enemies from afar with icy projectiles; each enemy’s color-coded defenses and behaviors push you to alternate between them efficiently. Platforming expands steadily through a familiar Metroidvania structure, unlocking tools for double jumps, air dashes, wall movement, and other ways to revisit earlier regions for hidden upgrades and optional challenges. Combat centers on dodging, juggling foes, building spirit energy, and choosing the right mask, while large bosses test both reactions and an understanding of the game’s mobility. The campaign is single-player and relatively focused, with a clear path through its interconnected map rather than an enormous open world.

What separates ZAU from many modern Metroidvanias is its setting and emotional sincerity. The painted environments, expressive character animation, and music rooted in African influences give Kenzera an identity beyond its obvious genre touchstones, while the tale’s themes of loss avoid becoming merely decorative. Its platforming and upgrade cadence will feel recognizable to players who enjoy Ori, Guacamelee!, or Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, though its combat asks for more deliberate mask management than simple button-mashing. It suits newcomers who want an approachable, story-led action game, while genre veterans will appreciate the brisk traversal, optional secrets, and boss-focused challenges.