The Intricate Ways ‘Tales of Kenzera: Zau’ Addresses Grief

I never thought that we would get a game about grief, African culture and how to navigate it all. But here we are, with Surgent Studios’ debut game Tales of Kenzera: Zau.

The game takes root in the personal loss that Abubakar Salim, Founder of Surgent Studios, experienced when he lost his father 10 years ago. Losing a parent that you’re so close to takes a huge toll on you. I should know, it happened to me around the same time as Abubakar. Someone you so clearly can think of having been in your life, supported everything you’ve done and was there for you no matter what. For me, this journey meant that I broke down and it took me 2 years to seek the help I needed. However, I’m happy to say that 11 years later I am doing well, my heart still misses him daily but I still have my mother who continues to be the most amazing person.

Before I dig deeper into my own journey let’s talk about Tales of Kenzera: Zau, a game that is rooted in grief and African culture. You play as Zau, a young Shaman, who has just lost his baba. He’s struggling with the feelings that comes with losing someone whom you’re so close to and decides to bargain with the god of Death himself, Kalunga, to make a deal to bring his baba back and show himself worthy as Nganga, a spiritual healer. Throughout the game you get to explore Kenzera’s vast world with metroidvania inspired gameplay, and with you you have the power of the Sun and Moon masks. By wielding these powers you get to fight your way through your journey to bring back your baba.

Everything around you is inspired by Bantu tales, rich with untold lore of chaos and order, memories of ancient shamans, sacred spirits and fascinating creatures. All this whilst music by multi-award-winning composer Nainita Desai play.

I started playing this game, knowing that there would be times I’d remember my own dad. The things he told me growing up, how he shaped me as a person and more. The way that Zau spoke of his baba kept bringing up my own memories.

In the game there are points where Zau will sit down to reflect (and this will add a bar to your health), and it was during these times that I did just the same. Zau would reminisce about something and I’d feel a connection to what he was saying and how. I never thought I’d play a game where I’d think about my dad so much. The way they crafted the world, the family bonds and the music. It all made me feel closer to him in some ways.

Zau continues to fight for his baba and for himself. When you lose someone it can be hard to let them go, so you’d do anything you can to go back to how things were. For Zau this of course meant that he literally wanted to bring his baba back.

However, throughout the journey you get to know more stories and others’ own loss. It was throughout his story being told in the game that I kept saying “You’ll realise you can’t bring him back, Zau”, and I think I was able to say that because I was telling myself it.

Spoilers for the end of the game

At the end of the game it is revealed that Kalunga was actually his own baba, who had joined him in this whole journey. Who had watched him learn, help and fight his way through towards this end goal. Of course, to finish his journey he needs to fight his own baba, to truly prove himself worthy as the shaman taking over after him. By the end, Zau understands that this is how things are. Baba is in the realm of the dead now, having the peace he deserved, and Zau is still alive to help those around him as a Nganga.

End thoughts (Spoiler-Free)

The game doesn’t tackle the modern western way of mental health, but it does tackle the topic elegantly. We’ve all had a journey with grief, and some of us are having it right this moment. Just know, the journey looks different for everyone but we all suffered the same thing. To seek help, guidance and comfort during this time is important for your own healing.

I miss my dad every single day. The day he died I lost a huge part of me and have been working, and still am, on filling the void. This game, Tales of Kenzera: Zau, gave me time to reflect and recall those moments I did have with my dad before he passed. Remembering his childhood in Somalia, his smile, his oh so wise words of wisdom, and his hugs. I miss his hugs the most.

So if you haven’t, give the game a shot. You don’t have to have dealt with grief yourself or have an understanding of African culture. This game is for everyone to play and experience more than anything.

Thank you Abubakar, and Surgent Studios, for sharing such an emotional journey in such a beautiful package.

Written by JaneDash, Ambassador of Safe In Our World.

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