Electronic Arts and Surgent Studios proudly announce their new side-scrolling platformer game, Tales of Kenzera: ZAU, launching on April 23, 2024, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, Switch, and PC (Steam, Epic Games Store). The game, priced at $19.99, will feature English and Swahili voice-overs, along with subtitle options in multiple languages.

Tales of Kenzera: ZAU is a deeply emotional single-player action-adventure platformer developed by Surgent Studios under the guidance of BAFTA-nominated actor Abubakar Salim. The game explores the transformative power of loss and the love between a father and son. As Zau, a grieving hero, players aim to resurrect their deceased father. Guided by Kalunga, the God of Death, players traverse mystical 2.5D realms to harness the cosmic powers of the warrior shaman.

The story centers around a grieving boy reading a Bantu tale written by his late father, immersing players in the beautiful yet perilous lands of Kenzera as Zau. Once brimming with life, Kenzera now teems with lost ancestral spirits. Along Zau’s journey, he confronts three mighty beings, fearsome in strength yet strangely familiar, and players must embrace the shaman’s dance to overcome these challenges.

Key elements include becoming the Warrior Shaman. As Zau, players face their own emotions to become a worthy Nganga: a spiritual healer. They journey alongside mythical characters and formidable foes inspired by Bantu lore, each with their unique path and story.

In “The Dance of the Sun and Moon Masks”, players wield cosmic powers from the Sun and the Moon to defeat restless spirits in rhythmic combat. They manipulate time and crystallize enemies using the Moon mask’s power or launch fiery spears with the Sun Mask, all in meticulously hand-crafted animations. As players encounter ability statues, each newly unlocked mask ability is accompanied by a fantastical myth from Kenzeran culture.

Players explore a mystical realm inspired by Bantu tales, rich with the lore of chaos and order, memories of ancient shamans, sacred spirits, and fascinating creatures. Zau’s quest leads through several unique environments, each vibrant with color, including the Ikakaramban Highlands, Kivulian Forests, and Itshokan Deadlands.

Pre-orders are now available, including two shaman points to unlock up to two skills in-game. Additional bonuses include the “Kalunga’s Blessing” visual effect variant and the Soulshifters digital companion comic, delving deeper into the game’s lore.

Source: Gematsu