For the last decades in the context of video gaming, some genres are among the most popular and these genres make several players and then sometimes these genres will disappear for a while and after a certain point, they will reappear and then the person become interested again. The Metroidvania genre, blending exploration, platforming, and RPG elements, seems poised for a comeback in 2024, with titles like Tales of Kenzera: It is he who has fought in the battles nowadays. Combining emotional storytelling with dynamic combat mechanics, Tales of Kenzera: ZAU will differ from other sporting events by creating a new storyline and taking us all into another world for a real time.
Combat as a reflection of grief: Room for player choice and depth of characters’ emotions
Combat in Tales of Kenzera: ZAU is not simply about defeating rivals. It is also about the uncertainties of mourning. Abubakar Salim, the game’s developer and the lead designer highlights player license and freedom as the key to the game’s success in combat. Giving players the means of using different approaches to cope with situations, the game reflects the unstable feelings of mourning and grief quite naturally. At times, players may feel like they are in command, eliminating enemy ships with a catlike agility. Sometimes they will just feel too much, that will lead them to disordered behavior that can look like chaos or running around. This fluidity shows the emotional change of loss handling, flow of control is greatly different from one moment to another.
Drawing Inspiration from gaming classics: Collision of different styles.
When crafting the combat mechanics of Tales of Kenzera: ZAU, our team brought various game ideas to the table intending to create a remarkable gaming experience. Lead designer Zi Peters cites titles like Super Metroid, Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, Devil May Cry, and God of War, were the main inspirations. By incorporating elements from these beloved games, Tales of Kenzera: ZAU tries to recreate the combat experience, not only making it familiar but also new at the same time. From the effectiveness of Devil May Cry to the epicness and cinematic of God of War, the dynamics and entertainment elements of the combat system are built by all these inspirations.
A Dance of Swords and Bullets: Melee and Shooter Systems.
One of the unique aspects of combat in Tales of Kenzera: ZAU has the advantage of being able to incorporate melee and side-scrolling shooter style in one game. The players must decide whether they want to confront the adversaries face to face flicking their swords or switch to a ranged mode of attack and unleas a hail of bullets from a distance. This versatility, thus, not only adds more dimension to the combat but also allows the players to profess suits of their taste. Either by choosing the close ‘n’ personal encounters or the strategic long-ranged attacks, players are allowed to engage in fights in a manner that suits them the most.
Elevating the emotional experience: Storytelling is another distinct feature of video games.
Beyond its combat mechanics, Tales of Kenzera: In the world of ZAU, there is a heavy focus on storytelling and making a real world. The emotional path of the main character, ZAU, is manifested not only in the game’s storyline but also through its level creation and game mechanics. This is made possible by the detailed design of each game element that aims to invite players into the ZAU world, allowing them to relive his ups and downs. By seamlessly blending gameplay with storytelling, Tales of Kenzera: The goal of ZAU is to make a game that will not only deeply engage you but also help you forget about real life for a while.
