Electronic Arts and Surgent Studios announce Tales of Kenzera: ZAU for PS5, Xbox Series, Switch, and PC

Publisher Electronic Arts and developer Surgent Studios has announced side-scrolling platformer Tales of Kenzera: ZAU for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, Switch, and PC (Steam, Epic Games Store). It will launch on April 23, 2024 for $19.99 with English and Swahili voice-overs, and English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Brazilian, Mexican Spanish, Japanese, and Swahili subtitle options.

Pre-orders are available now and include two shaman points unlocking up to two skills in-game. Additionally, players will have access to other bonuses including the “Kalunga’s Blessing” visual effect variant, and the Soulshifters digital companion comic that dives deeper into lore of the game.

Here is an overview of the game, via Electronic Arts:

About

The debut title from Surgent Studios led by BAFTA-nominated actor Abubakar Salim, Tales of Kenzera: ZAU is a heartfelt single-player action–adventure platformer about the love between a father and son and the transformative power of loss. In this heartfelt metroidvania-style adventure, you play as Zau—a grieving hero determined to bring his father back from the dead. With Kalunga, the God of Death as your guide, you’ll journey through mystical 2.5D realms full of color and depth to harness the cosmic powers of the warrior shaman. Tales of Kenzera: ZAU invites you to embark on Zau’s journey of spiritual healing, where the hardest moments unmask who you can truly become.

Story

As a grieving boy reads a Bantu tale written by his late father, you enter the beautiful and treacherous lands of Kenzera as Zau – a young Nganga who bargains with the God of Death to bring his Baba back from death. Once bursting with life, Kenzera is now rife with lost ancestral spirits. As Zau advances toward his goal, three mighty beings lie in wait, fearsome in their strength yet somehow strangely familiar. It will be up to you to embrace the dance of the shaman.

• ❮
• ❯

Key Features

• Become the Warrior Shaman – Embark on a poignant single-player story shaped by Abubakar Salim’s own experience with grief, discovering how to best navigate a new world following the devastating loss of your father. As Zau, you must face your own emotions to become a worthy Nganga: a spiritual healer. Own your journey alongside mythical characters and formidable foes inspired by Bantu lore, each on their own unique path and personal story.
• The Dance of the Sun and Moon Masks – Wield cosmic powers from the Sun and the Moon to defeat restless spirits in rhythmic combat, from ordinary warriors to the mighty Impundulu or GaGorib. You’ll prove your skill as you manipulate time and crystallize enemies using the power of the Moon mask or launch fiery spears with the Sun Mask, all in meticulously hand-crafted animations. Master leap, glide, pulse and more as you expand the masks’ cosmic power along your journey in this Metroidvania-style adventure. As you come upon ability statues, a fantastical myth from Kenzeran culture accompanies each newly unlocked mask ability.
• Set Foot in a Mystical Realm – Discover a universe inspired by Bantu tales, rich with untold lore of chaos and order, memories of ancient shamans, sacred spirits and fascinating creatures. Journey through mystical 2.5D realms set to multi-award-winning composer Nainita Desai’s enchanting original score. Zau’s quest will take you across several unique environments like Ikakaramban Highlands, Kivulian Forests and Itshokan Deadlands, each full of color, as well as two hubs. Tales of Kenzera: ZAU is a tribute to those we have loved and lost, with an immersive setting, rich art and a heartfelt journey that shows love is never lost and that facing your pain takes its own type of strength

Watch the announcement trailer below. View the first screenshots at the gallery.

Announce Trailer