Tales of Kenzera: Zau, an ambitious Metroidvania title slated for release on April 23rd, weaves an afrofuturist aesthetic inspired by Bantu culture into its core gameplay experience.
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‘Tales of Kenzera’ Fuses Metroidvania Gameplay With Afrofuturist Vision
Conceived by Abubakar Salim’s Surgent Studios, the game represents a profound melding of the personal and creative – born from the founder’s own journey through grief after losing his father. Salim’s unveiling of Zau at The Game Awards in December was an arresting spectacle, his raw vulnerability resonating with audiences as he detailed how processing that loss catalyzed this sonic exploration of death, rebirth and the enduring bonds that transcend mortality.
Early footage hints at a lush, dreamlike realm where vibrant hues and sweeping vistas intermingle with strange, futuristic visions. Zau, a shaman archetype, must overcome daunting obstacles in his quest to reclaim his father’s spirit – an archetypal hero’s journey reimagined through the multifaceted prism of the African diaspora.
“In contrast to Western culture, Bantu culture uses color and brightness to express these emotions,” explains lead artist Ackeem Durrant, articulating the creative team’s intent to subvert paradigms surrounding how grief is portrayed artistically.
This conceptual symbiosis manifests across dual time periods – a “legacy era” paying homage to ancestral traditions muscularly coexisting alongside an “Afrofuturist epoch” that envisions advanced technologies harmonizing with the natural world. Traversing this dualistic wonderland, Zau wields mystical powers against metallic chimeras and navigates cavernous temples awash in bioluminescent majesty.
While the dreamlike visuals invite comparisons to Black Panther’s mythic realm, lead animator Griffin Warner underscores Kenzera’s singular identity: “It’s not something we wanted to get too close to.” This pronounced individuality echoes the afrofuturist ethos of reclaiming narratives and identities long suppressed.
