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Tales of Kenzera™: ZAU similar games & best alternatives

Tales of Kenzera™: ZAU

PC (Microsoft Windows), Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5 • 2024

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Quick resume

Wield the dance of the shaman. Reclaim your father’s spirit. Brave the beautiful and treacherous land of Kenzera with the God of Death in Tales of Kenzera™: ZAU, a metroidvania-style adventure crafted by Surgent Studios.

Global score

83/100

Genres

Action, Adventure, Indie, Platform, Puzzle

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    Pros

    • Emotional and well-told story
    • Beautiful art and soundtrack
    • Fluid and responsive combat and movement
    • Unique african mythology setting
    • Good value for price

    Cons

    • Mostly linear with limited exploration
    • Some platforming and chase sequences frustrating
    • Combat can become repetitive late game
    • Minor control and camera issues reported
    • Lack of deep customization or multiplayer

    Motivations

    • Autonomy

      Game with the same Autonomy vibe

      3

      "Players can switch between characters at any time and choose different combat styles, but the game is overall linear with limited freedom of movement."

      Capsule for The First Templar - Steam Special Edition The First Templar - Steam Special Edition

      "Players can switch between two masks with different combat styles and abilities, choose paths and tackle challenges, though the game is mostly linear with limited exploration."

    • Competence

      Game with the same Competence vibe

      3

      "Combat and platforming provide moderate challenge with skill progression and boss fights, though combat can become repetitive and some players find it easy."

      Capsule for Flynn: Son of Crimson Flynn: Son of Crimson

      "Combat and platforming provide a moderate challenge that ramps up, especially in late game and boss fights, rewarding skill and strategy."

    • Competition

      Game with the same Competition vibe

      -4

      "Focus is on personal story progression and individual experience without competitive or ranked elements."

      Capsule for Class of '09: The Re-Up Class of '09: The Re-Up

      "Focus is on personal progression and story experience without competitive or ranked elements."

    • Continuation

      Game with the same Continuation vibe

      2

      "Players report engaging story and gameplay encouraging completion, but limited replay value and short length reduce habitual play."

      Capsule for Rise of the Argonauts Rise of the Argonauts

      "Players report engaging story and gameplay that encourage completion and some replay, though the game is relatively short."

    • Cooperation

      Game with the same Cooperation vibe

      -5

      "Single-player experience with no multiplayer or cooperative features."

      Capsule for High Hell High Hell

      "Single-player experience with no multiplayer or cooperative features."

    • Creativity

      Game with the same Creativity vibe

      2

      "Players can customize combat style via weapon ammo types and arrest or kill decisions, but level design and missions are mostly linear."

      Capsule for Judge Dredd: Dredd vs. Death Judge Dredd: Dredd vs. Death

      "Players can customize combat style by switching masks and upgrading skills, but level design and progression are mostly predefined and linear."

    • Domination

      Game with the same Domination vibe

      -5

      "No evidence of exerting control or superiority over others; game is single-player and narrative-driven."

      Capsule for Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden

      "No evidence of exerting control or superiority over others; game is single-player and narrative focused."

    • Escapism

      Game with the same Escapism vibe

      4

      "Players use the game as a joyful escape, with emotional and immersive storytelling providing distraction from real life."

      Capsule for My Friend Peppa Pig My Friend Peppa Pig

      "Players use the game to immerse in a unique African-inspired world and story, providing emotional engagement and distraction from real life."

    • Expectation

      Game with the same Expectation vibe

      -4

      "Players engage voluntarily out of interest in story, characters, and gameplay; no indication of obligation or external pressure."

      Capsule for The Caligula Effect: Overdose The Caligula Effect: Overdose

      "Players engage voluntarily out of interest in the story, setting, and gameplay; no indication of obligation or pressure."

    • Experimenting

      Game with the same Experimenting vibe

      3

      "Players experiment with different combat tactics, weapons, and slow-motion usage to overcome challenges."

      Capsule for F.E.A.R. F.E.A.R.

      "Players experiment with mask switching, combat strategies, and platforming challenges, though within a mostly linear structure."

    • Exploration

      Game with the same Exploration vibe

      -3

      "Game is mostly linear with limited areas to explore; discovery is constrained within short levels."

      Capsule for Gravity Bone Gravity Bone

      "Game is mostly linear with limited backtracking and exploration; maps reveal entire areas on entry reducing discovery."

    • Expression

      Game with the same Expression vibe

      -3

      "No character customization or avatar personalization; fixed visual style and assets."

      Capsule for SAMOLIOTIK SAMOLIOTIK

      "No significant character customization or avatar personalization; visual style is fixed and consistent."

    • Fantasy

      Game with the same Fantasy vibe

      4

      "Set in an imaginative Egyptian-themed world with supernatural elements and powers, blending fiction and mythology."

      Capsule for PowerSlave Exhumed PowerSlave Exhumed

      "Set in an imaginative African mythology-inspired world with shamanic powers and spiritual themes."

    • Fellowship

      Game with the same Fellowship vibe

      -5

      "No social or community features; strictly single-player experience."

      Capsule for Zero Stress King: Idle Defense Zero Stress King: Idle Defense

      "No social or community features; strictly single-player experience."

    • Growth

      Game with the same Growth vibe

      3

      "Players develop combat skills, learn traversal mechanics, and progress through story and upgrades."

      Capsule for Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered

      "Players develop skills and abilities through upgrades and experience points, improving combat and traversal."

    • Health

      Game with the same Health vibe

      -5

      "No physical activity or health-related gameplay elements; standard sedentary gaming."

      Capsule for The First Berserker: Khazan The First Berserker: Khazan

      "No physical activity or health-related gameplay elements; standard sedentary gaming."

    • Idle

      Game with the same Idle vibe

      -4

      "Requires focused attention during platforming and combat; not suited for background or idle play."

      Capsule for Blaster Master Zero 2 Blaster Master Zero 2

      "Requires focused attention on platforming and combat; not suited for background or idle play."

    • Intimacy

      Game with the same Intimacy vibe

      -4

      "Emotional engagement with story and characters but no social interaction or relationship building."

      Capsule for Stray Cat Crossing Stray Cat Crossing

      "Emotional engagement with narrative and characters but no social or relationship-building features."

    • Leadership

      Game with the same Leadership vibe

      -5

      "No leadership or group management elements; single-player narrative."

      Capsule for Amnesia: Rebirth Amnesia: Rebirth

      "No leadership or group management elements; single-player narrative."

    • Progression

      Game with the same Progression vibe

      4

      "Players accumulate weapons, armor, and upgrades to enhance combat effectiveness."

      Capsule for Warcube Warcube

      "Players accumulate upgrades, skills, and collectibles that enhance combat and survivability."

    • Relaxation

      Game with the same Relaxation vibe

      2

      "Generally balanced challenge with moments of flow, though some frustration possible in platforming."

      Capsule for Lightmatter Lightmatter

      "Generally balanced challenge with moments of flow; some frustration reported in platforming and chase sequences."

    • Sensation

      Game with the same Sensation vibe

      4

      "Vibrant visuals, dynamic soundtrack, and satisfying combat provide strong sensory stimulation."

      Capsule for Hades Hades

      "Vibrant visuals, dynamic combat effects, and a rich soundtrack provide strong sensory stimulation."

    • Status

      Game with the same Status vibe

      -5

      "No social recognition or status systems; individual experience."

      Capsule for The Turing Test The Turing Test

      "No social recognition or status systems; individual experience."

    • Story

      Game with the same Story vibe

      5

      "Highly praised narrative with memorable characters and emotional depth central to the experience."

      Capsule for FINAL FANTASY IV FINAL FANTASY IV

      "Highly praised narrative with emotional depth, voice acting, and cultural themes central to the experience."

    • Strategy

      Game with the same Strategy vibe

      3

      "Combat requires tactical use of cover, timing reloads, and positioning; some strategic planning involved."

      Capsule for Dust & Neon Dust & Neon

      "Combat requires tactical mask switching and enemy prioritization; platforming demands timing and planning."

    • Thrill

      Game with the same Thrill vibe

      2

      "Some suspense in boss fights and platforming challenges, but generally lighthearted and controlled."

      Capsule for The Deadly Tower of Monsters The Deadly Tower of Monsters

      "Some suspense in boss fights and platforming challenges; generally moderate risk and tension."

    • Value

      Game with the same Value vibe

      4

      "Players feel the game offers good value for time and money with quality content and polish."

      Capsule for Crypt Custodian Crypt Custodian

      "Players feel the game offers good value for its price with quality content and polish."

    • Violence

      Game with the same Violence vibe

      3

      "Combat involves defeating enemies with attacks and abilities; action-oriented but not excessively violent or gory."

      Capsule for Starlight Revolver Starlight Revolver

      "Combat involves defeating enemies with melee and ranged attacks, though not excessively violent or gory."

    • Survival

      Game with the same Survival vibe

      2

      "Players must manage health and avoid death in challenging combat and platforming."

      Capsule for They Always Run They Always Run

      "Players manage health and avoid instant-death hazards; some challenge in staying alive during combat and platforming."

    Analysis

    A very typical example of its motivational profile. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Expression, Fellowship, Cooperation, Competition. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Value, Story. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Exploration.

    How to use the graph
    Similar games map

    Each dot is a game. They are arranged from the same motivation profile as in the “Motivations” section below. Closer dots usually mean more similar reasons to play (exploration, competition, relaxation, etc.)—not that one game is “better” than another.

    • Larger dot with a light outline: the game you are viewing.
    • Colour: groups of games with comparable motivation patterns (statistical clusters).
    • Hover a dot to see the game name; click to open its page.
    • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom out and see more games.

    Why don’t the axes read like a score? This view uses t-SNE: it only keeps who is close to whom. The scales are not “good to bad” or hours played—they separate groups on the map. Read distance between dots, not the axis numbers.

    Where to buy

    Come talk about it on Discord!

    Last update: 30/04/2026