In a significant announcement at the Game Awards show, Electronic Arts (EA) has unveiled the latest addition to its EA Originals lineup – 'Tales of Kenzera: ZAU'. This innovative title is slated to make its debut across all gaming platforms, including the Nintendo Switch, on the 23rd of April, 2024.
The EA Originals line continues its tradition of supporting inventive and bold storytelling in gaming by collaborating with emerging developer talent. 'Tales of Kenzera: ZAU' stands as a shining example of this philosophy. The game is a single-player action-adventure platformer that weaves an emotionally charged tale of coping with loss and finding the strength to overcome life's challenges.
The game centers on the protagonist Zau, who is grappling with the grief of losing his father. Guided by Kalunga, the God of Death, players will assume the role of Zau on an epic quest to reclaim his father from the clutches of the afterlife. Set in the mystical and visually stunning 2.5D realms of Kenzera, players embark on a journey to harness the cosmic powers of a warrior shaman.
The narrative of 'Tales of Kenzera: ZAU' is deeply personal and was inspired by the life experiences of Abubakar Salim, the BAFTA-nominated actor and founder of Surgent Studios. Salim channeled his own journey of dealing with the passing of his father and their shared passion for video games to craft a touching homage within the game. Embodying the spirit of African metroidvania-style action-adventure platformers, the game aims to illustrate how narratives of resilience can lead to greatness.
Players will delve into Bantu-inspired tales that are rich with lore concerning the forces of chaos and order, memories of ancient shamans, and legends featuring sacred spirits and curious creatures of the land. In continuing the theme of cosmic powers, users can master abilities from the mystical Sun and Moon masks to vanquish restless spirits engaged in rhythmic combat. The Moon mask grants the power to manipulate time and crystallize enemies, while the Sun mask allows the launching of fiery spears. The game's hand-crafted animations add an additional layer of engagement and spectacle.
Accompanying Zau's quest is a captivating original score by multi-award-winning composer Nainita Desai, enhancing the game's enchanting atmosphere. Players will navigate through various unique and lively environments, ultimately seeking to become a worthy spiritual healer.
EA has priced 'Tales of Kenzera: ZAU' at $19.99 USD, with a pre-order package that adds enticing in-game bonuses such as two shaman points, which unlock additional skills, a visual effect variant called Kalunga's Blessing, and a digital companion comic named 'Soulshifters', diving deeper into the lore behind the game.
The announcement of 'Tales of Kenzera: ZAU' has already elicited a diversity of reactions from gamers and critics alike. While some express skepticism towards EA's past practices, others voice excitement about the prospect of exploring African mythology through a fresh gaming experience. Fans of EA Originals' previous works are particularly intrigued by the game's vivid art style, emotional background, and promising gameplay.
EA Originals has been known for supporting and publishing some successful and well-received titles in the past, such as the Unravel series and 'It Takes Two', which have set a high standard for what players can expect from the initiative. This commitment to storytelling and creative innovation serves as a promise to gamers seeking new and exciting experiences.
As 'Tales of Kenzera: ZAU' gears up for its release, the anticipation builds for a game that not only promises thrilling action and breathtaking worlds to explore but also a chance to connect with a story that holds universal appeal—the enduring human battle against adversity and the quest for hope.
