Tales of Kenzera: ZAU is a single-player action-adventure platformer available on Nintendo Switch. Players take on the role of Zau, a young shaman navigating the lands of Kenzera in a story centered on grief and healing, drawing from Bantu cultural elements. The game blends precise platforming with rhythmic combat that revolves around switching between two masks.
Gameplay
Core movement includes double jumps, wall jumps, and dashes that allow fluid traversal across 2.5D side-scrolling levels. These abilities expand as players progress, opening new paths through ability-gated sections. Combat occurs in dedicated arenas or chokepoints where exits seal off, pitting Zau against groups of restless spirits. Enemies often feature color-coded spirit shields that match the masks, encouraging strategic switches rather than repetitive attacks.
The Sun mask handles close-range melee strikes with spears and fiery effects, while the Moon mask delivers ranged energy projectiles and freezing capabilities. Players toggle between them instantly to adapt to flying foes, shielded targets, or clustered groups. Each mask connects to its own skill tree, letting players upgrade melee combos, projectile recharge, special spirit attacks like whirlwinds or blasts, and timing-based bonuses for perfect strikes or recharges. Platforming sequences mix precise jumps over disappearing platforms with timed dashes and occasional chase elements that can be skipped after repeated attempts on supported difficulties.
Game Modes
The experience centers on a linear single-player campaign that follows Zau's journey through distinct realms toward three major spirit encounters. Difficulty settings shape the challenge: Story mode offers the most forgiving combat and traversal support with full health restoration at checkpoints, while Relaxed, Balanced, and Challenging provide graduated options. Brutal difficulty heightens emphasis on precise dashing, skill use, and pattern recognition. Later updates added Hard Spirit Trials at existing locations, rewarding completion with toggles such as Big Head Mode.
Story and Setting
Zau strikes a bargain with the god of death to reclaim his father's spirit, traveling through once-vibrant lands now populated by ancestral spirits. The narrative unfolds through voice performances and environmental storytelling that explores themes of loss and acceptance. Three powerful beings stand as primary obstacles, each tied to the broader mythological backdrop. The soundtrack supports the emotional tone with original compositions that underscore both quiet moments and intense sequences.
Is It Worth Playing?
Players who enjoy focused action-platformers with meaningful combat variety and a personal story will find solid value here. The mask-switching system keeps encounters engaging across the roughly 8-to-12-hour campaign, and accessibility features like adjustable difficulties and chase skips broaden its appeal. On Nintendo Switch it runs in TV, tabletop, and handheld modes, though performance favors docked play for clarity. Updates have continued post-launch with new trials and balance adjustments, indicating ongoing support. Those seeking deep non-linear exploration or high-skill combat depth may find the structure more straightforward than some genre peers, but the combination of responsive controls, colorful presentation, and emotional core makes it a worthwhile choice for the right audience.
