Sometimes after I play Metroidvanias, I’m not specializing in the story. I really like Metroid and I’ve geeked out over Chozo lore, however on the finish of the day, so long as I’ve received some environment amidst the labyrinths, I’m good to go. The power of Tales of Kenzera: Zau is in its story, which is intertwined via the gameplay, informed in a fashion that makes the sport higher by its emotional influence. The quasi-abstract story of loss and grief is the muse that the tight platforming, nice sense of motion, and gratifying fight funnels all construct from. Within the course of, developer Surgent Studios has made probably the greatest video games of its sort in latest reminiscence.
Nearly all of the sport focuses on a younger shaman named Zau who not too long ago misplaced his father. He goes to Kalunga, the God of Demise, to attempt to revive his dad, which takes him on a quest all through the land of Kenzera to defeat the three nice spirits. Every spirit has its parable about loss of life and loss, delivering highly effective emotional beats frequently. I didn’t count on to be close to tears throughout boss fights throughout this recreation. Whereas the story is a spotlight, it doesn’t interrupt gameplay, with a lot of the lower scenes informed economically on the again of unimaginable writing. Zau additionally has recurring dialogue with Kalunga whereas he’s working and leaping all over the world.
The platforming and motion that accompanies the story is usually improbable, as Zau’s maneuverability begins nice and will get even higher as you unlock extra skills. The mix of a double soar, wall soar, and sprint makes platforming fast and enjoyable in an nearly rhythmic sample. Whereas the sport holds secret paths and unlockables, it’s largely simple throughout the plot. Even nonetheless, I had fun leaping round areas I’ve already gone via.
The fight is straightforward at a look however has quite a lot of layers, a few of which may be low-key cheesed throughout sure fight conditions. Zau has a solar masks and a moon masks that may be swapped between at will. The solar masks is extra aggressive and melee-focused, providing mild combos and if you unlock it, a particular highly effective ranged assault. The moon masks is extra centered on protection, with an early stun add-on energy in addition to a fundamental ranged assault. Swapping between the 2 strategically is the place the fight begins to take off. It feels nice to put out a mask-swapping plan and execute it to perfection. The one actual concern with the fight is the few stretches of too many kill rooms in shut proximity. They each sluggish the momentum down and present the cracks of the fight.
Visually, the artwork model is total expressive and nice, working nicely sufficient on Swap. It isn’t the perfect place to play Tales of Kenzera, however should you simply have entry to Swap, it is ok to expertise the greatness this recreation has to supply. The sport has auto-save, so it removes any want for save rooms. The checkpointing is usually good, although it’s exhausting to search out out the place the sport will go away you if you give up the sport. My largest concern with the checkpointing is when there’s a reaction-based platforming problem. A few of these are aspect challenges, so the very fact they’re meant to be tough doesn’t hassle me there, however when these are in the principle story, I felt like I used to be being punished for not having preternatural data of what was coming subsequent. Prolonged trial-and-error segments have been the bottom level of Tales of Kenzera.
Fortunately that low level is the outlier, however that is nonetheless total a stellar online game. Lasting within the ballpark of 8-10 hours, Tales of Kenzera is a well-paced Metroidvania that may be a blast to play, that includes novel unlockable skills, a very good problem, and most of all, an unimaginable story. Simply be able to shed a tear or two, particularly should you’re in my footwear of being a dad or mum to a younger child as a result of hoo boy – that complete father/son ingredient is performed to perfection. The story is a real triumph and the gameplay helps it completely.