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Tales of Kenzera review: a compassionate Afro-futurist exploration of grief


Eurogamer's review of Tales of Kenzera: Zau, which lacks creative game design but makes up for it in vital, passionate storytelling.

The beautiful environments reflect all of Africa, from savannah to jungles, deserts and volcanoes | Image credit: Surgent Studios / Eurogamer If there's one Metroidvania convention Tales of Kenzera gets absolutely right, it's the free flow of movement. Bosses are suitably imposing, often including tense chase sequences reminiscent of the Ginso Tree from Ori and the Blind Forest | Image credit: Surgent Studios / Eurogamer If some of this feels familiar, there are multiple gameplay devices that reveal Salim's gaming influences, from the Gears of War-style reload to prevent spamming shots, to the Ori-esque parrying of projectiles. Lessons with Kalunga really hit home | Image credit: Surgent Studios / Eurogamer Still, while it's easy enough to pick out flaws, they're forgivable due to the game's primary focus on compassionate storytelling, told mostly through expressive artwork.

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