For decades, the video game industry has been inspired by cultural legends and myths to bring to life heroes from Greek and Roman, Egyptian or Nordic mythologies… But where is Africa?
African folklore remains, unfortunately, still largely under-exploited by the video game industry. Fortunately, this is changing, notably thanks to the release of games like Tales of Kenzera: ZAU. A platform and adventure game strongly inspired by Bantu cultures in East Africa and in which you play as a young grieving shaman named ZAU, who signs a pact with the god of death Kalunga so that he can revive his father deceased.
From hairstyles and clothing to in-game music, including voice dubbing entirely in Swahili, everything is done to represent African cultures with dignity, in accordance with the wishes of its creator, Abubakar Salim. “ I want to show that people want to hear our stories. That they want to hear our voices. We have so many fascinating perspectives and talented creators. I want Tales of Kenzera: ZAU to be a way to open doors and inspire », he explains at the microphone of RFI.
Captures from the game Tales of Kenzera: ZAU
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It is, of course, not the first adventure game to highlight African myths and cultures. Last year, The Wagadu Chronicles was released as an MMO (massively multiplayer online game) featuring Afro-fantasy and role-playing. Impossible not to also reference Aurion: Legacy of the Kori Odan, a pioneer in the field, a PC game coming soon to Xbox. These are games that paved the way for Tales of Kenzera: ZAU can see the light of day.
But if Tales of Kenzera stands out, it’s firstly because it made a sensational entrance, having been announced at the Game Awards! Tales of Kenzera did what others have not succeeded in: being published by a big fish, which is none other than Electronic Arts – publisher which is behind The Sims or Fifa. Just that !
Then, the game is strongly supported by the charisma of its creative director Abubakar Salim, already known in the industry, since he lends his voice to the character of Bayek de Siwa in Assassin’s Creed Origins, highly appreciated by fans. Furthermore, the character of ZAU is inspired by his own story, because the game is designed as a tribute to his father, who died of cancer ten years ago. Abubakar recounts, in the game and in a self-produced documentary, a period of life with which we can all identify, the ordeal of losing a loved one.
Finally, you just have to see to what extent this game already shines among Afro-descendant and African players, but not only that! Tales of Kenzera: ZAU is above all a good game, which shines for its originality and its gameplay. So here is finally a game that talks about African myths, while being beautiful, pleasant to play and offering a great story. What more ? As an African player, as an Afrogamer, I feel like I’m finally being served. A big thank you to Abubakar Salim, for this nugget which, we hope, will inspire more than one.
