by Ellie Day, Senior Copywriter at Electronic Arts
Prepare to embark on a poignant single-player story inspired by the rich myths of Bantu cultures, in Tales of Kenzera: ZAU. This metroidvania-style game will be available on Steam starting April 23, 2024, taking you on a thrilling emotional journey based on actor Abubakar Salim’s own experience with grief, and discovering how love gives us the courage to press on after devastating loss.
Welcome to Kenzera
These lands are both beautiful and treacherous, and it will require all your skill and courage to navigate them successfully. You will rise to the challenge as Zau, a young shaman who bargains with the God of Death to bring his Baba (father) back from darkness. Your journey will take you through mystical realms rich with untold lore of chaos and order, memories of ancient shamans, sacred spirits, and fascinating creatures. Every journey must begin somewhere, and yours will start in Patakatifu, the great crossroads that connects all the lands of Kenzera.
The Sanctuary
Patakatifu is a place of both beginnings and endings. Built in honor of the Great Spirits, many would visit the ancient pool to remember the past, reflect on the present, and look forward to a hopeful future. It is here where you will bargain with the God of Death, Kalunga, and from here your adventures will start.
The Great Spirits
Patakatifu is dominated by three enormous statues representing the three beings Zau encounters on his journey, but they also demonstrate how grief connects us: they cry together and their tears collect and blend in the pool below.
You'll immediately notice that the dominant color in Patakatifu is purple – this represents the spirituality of the site and conveys the reverence and respect people afforded to the three powerful figures depicted in stone.
The markings on the ground call back to African symbolism, and similar patterns are used in all facets of the world of Kenzera, from clothing to architecture. The statues themselves reference the designs of African masks, whose influence can be seen throughout the game.
Finding Your Way Home
This sanctuary includes one more element that may not be quite as obvious at first, but look off in the distance and you will see the mighty branches of a baobab tree. These trees are massive, surviving in incredibly harsh conditions and thriving on next to nothing. That resilience is also revered in this space, as you can see from the swirling purple aura around it. The tree grounds Zau and always shows him where home is – as his village is nestled at its base.
The Journey Begins Soon
Are you ready to discover a universe inspired by Bantu tales? You don't have long to wait, and you can pre-order Tales of Kenzera: ZAU now to make sure you start your adventure with some special perks – including a 10% discount, Kalunga's Blessing visual effect variant, 2 shaman points for unlocking in-game skills, and the “Soulshifters” digital companion comic*
*Conditions and restrictions apply. See http://ea.com/games/tales-of-kenzera/zau/disclaimers for details.