Surgent Studios' debut game, Tales of Kenzera: Zau, is another incredible EA Originals title.
VGChartz's Lee Mehr: "Reminiscent of The Last Case of Benedict Fox, Tales of Kenzera: ZAU feels like 2024's definitive example of mismanaging Metroidvania 101 tenets. And it's a shame to be that harsh when its inspiration feels like a wonderful antidote to the soulless company (EA) backing it and the commercialized entity (TGA) which first advertised it. Through an impassioned sense of grief, Abubakar Salim wanted to craft a story that authentically tries to wrestle with those same feelings. That's a great achievement of the medium as a potential creative outlet. Unfortunately, though, it's saddled to a haphazardly-designed game that falls short of sustaining that enthusiasm and squaring up against its contemporaries."
Ouch. I'll admit this one is more of a 5.5/6 score coin flip (if you will), but that's about all I can muster for it. There's so many other Metroidvanias out there that do a better job at game design.
Antony writes: "We talk with composer Nainita Desai on how she poured grief and acceptance into Tales of Kenzera: ZAU's stirring soundtrack."
"Tales of Kenzera: Zau is a light Metroidvania that would bring a tear to a glass eye - a personal and moving tale in a stunning game world."
- Stuart Cullen, TechStomper
Nice PS Extra bonus.
Another 2D sidescroller… pass