[ Words Alan Wen ]

FIRST PLAY TALES OF KENZERA: ZAU PS5, XSX, Switch, PC

It’s not every day that gaming has the equivalent of someone like George Clooney producing, writing, directing and starring in his own films. Tales of Kenzera: Zau is anew game made by Surgent Studios, acompany founded by actor Abubakar Salim –who first broke through via his lead role in Assassin’s Creed Origins.

While it’s set in amythical world inspired by African Bantu culture, it also tells apersonal story of grief inspired by Salim’s own experiences of loss. The title character Zau (voiced by Salim, naturally) is ayoung warrior shaman who makes abargain with the god of death as he goes on ajourney to save his father’s soul.

Kenzera is abeautiful but treacherous place, presented with depth in 2.5D environments, where you’ll encounter many mythical characters. Central to this are two masks that Zau wears, each changing his playstyle: the Moon mask allows him to launch spears as fast projectiles, while the Sun mask is for melee combat. There’s depth to the latter as you can execute more powerful attacks with well-timed button presses and even launch enemies for air combos.

These masks are also the basis for unlocking new abilities. One unlocked early on for the Moon mask freezes water for ashort time, for example.

As the title suggests, there are potentially more Kenzera stories to come. But this is abold start, combining the emotional and ethereal vibes of Ori and the Blind Forest with the satisfying platforming action of Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown.

FIRST LOOK THE NEXT BIG INDY HIT?

INDIANA JONES AND THE GREAT CIRCLE

XSX, PC

Tomb Raider and Uncharted may be great games but they essentially riff on Indiana Jones. Now that the world’s pluckiest archaeologist is finally getting his own action-adventure game, set between Raiders of the Lost Ark and The Last Crusade, it’s time to show the imitators how it’s done. Mind you, there’s also a big perspective shift: in The Great Circle, the player steps into Indy’s shoes in first person.

This seems like a natural fit for developer MachineGames, best known for the recent instalments of Wolfenstein. You’ll be fighting Nazis here too, just not with the same level of ultraviolence. But one of your weapons will be that iconic whip, which can also be used to traverse environments and solve puzzles.

One element this game does take from the world of Wolfenstein is occasionally pulling back the camera during traditional cinematics, which makes sense when you’re playing a Hollywood legend. Better yet, this virtual Indy uses Harrison Ford’s likeness, while Troy Baker provides a soundalike. Even the music is composed by Gordy Haab, whose work on multiple Star Wars games demonstrates his talent for reinterpreting John Williams’ classic themes.

BEST OF GAMES TO PLAY ALONE BUT FAR FROM ALONE

UNICORN OVERLORD

Switch, PS5, PS4, XSX

This fantasy real-time strategy emulates classic ’90s tactics games but also does something new. No more charging into battle with nameless grunts: there are over 60 unique characters to recruit for your army. You can even combine them to form their own special parties.

EIYUDEN CHRONICLE: HUNDRED HEROES

Switch, PS5, PS4, XSX, XB1, PC

Suikoden was one of the first RPGs that asked why you should stick with aparty of four when you could have over a hundred. While it’s getting its own remaster this year, Hundred Heroes is anew ‘spiritual successor’ that comes out on 23 April.

SAGA: EMERALD BEYOND

Switch, PS5, PS4, PC, iOS, Android

One of Square Enix’s lesser-known RPGs, SaGa takes more inspiration from Western RPGs, with a greater focus on player choice shaping the narrative. In this case you take the roles of six different characters who can also travel between 17 different worlds; it arrives in this world on 25 April.

INCOMING

Game reviews p78-81

APRIL

• STELLAR BLADE

• SAND LAND

• FREEDOM PLANET 2 (CONSOLES)

• BRAID ANNIVERSARY EDITION

• DEMON SLAYER: KIMETSU NO YAIBA – SWEEP THE BOARD!

MAY

• SENUA’S SAGA: HELLBLADE II

• HOMEWORLD 3