Tales of Kenzera: Zau Studio Reveals Gameplay of New ‘Afro-Gothic RPG’

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Tales of Kenzera: Zau Studio Reveals Gameplay of New 'Afro-Gothic RPG'

Key Takeaways

  • Project Uso by Surgent Studios is an afro-gothic RPG inspired by Planescape: Torment and promises darker, more visceral gameplay.
  • The game’s artwork will lean towards stylized graphics rather than photorealism, with a focus on gothic environments and themes of defying death.
  • Project Uso follows Tales of Kenzera: Zau‘s success, incorporating elements of Dungeons & Dragons with a unique RPG system.

As a fan who has followed Abubakar Salim’s journey from the captivating world of Kenzera: Zau to the intriguing realms of Project Uso, I am absolutely thrilled! The fusion of Afro-gothic elements with Planescape: Torment-inspired gameplay is a tantalizing prospect.

In a recent announcement, Surgent Studios from the world of “Tales of Kenzera: Zau” has unveiled fresh gameplay clips for its upcoming project, tentatively named “Project Uso“. This new title is characterized as an “afro-gothic RPG”, and it’s said to draw inspiration from games such as “Planescape: Torment“. Although it belongs in the same universe as “Tales of Kenzera: Zau”, this single-player, isometric game will offer a darker, more visceral, and gritty experience compared to its predecessor.

The lab has crafted a complete working model of “Project Uso”. Instead of relying on photorealism, the artwork will be characterized by a distinctive color scheme. As Surgent Studios pursues a publishing partner for its second game, “Tales of Kenzera: Zau” aligns with some of the top Metroidvania games and was a notable addition to the 2024 lineup. Based on clips from their upcoming project, it appears that the team is on track for another successful venture.

Exclusively for VGC, Abubakar Salim, head of Surgent Studios, unveiled gameplay snippets from Project Uso. During the discussion, he elaborated on the concepts that shaped this title’s narrative and the recurring motif of death. The footage displayed the game’s dark ambiance and settings, and introduced characters such as The Voice Within and the God of Chaos Eshu. Project Uso carries forward the afrofuturistic influence from Tales of Kenzera: Zau, and Salim shed light on the motivation behind the game, stating, “Zau was about discovering ‘who am I without a parent?’ In contrast, Uso will delve into ‘what does it mean to be a parent?’

Tales of Kenzera: Zau’s Abubakar Salim Shares Project Uso Gameplay

The game titled “Tales of Kenzera: Zau” drew inspiration from Moon Studio’s “Ori” series, such as “Ori and the Blind Forest” and its sequel “Ori and the Will of the Wisps“, along with other Metroidvania games. It also incorporates Bantu mythology. In a new development, “Project Uso” was inspired by the mechanics of “Dungeons & Dragons“, featuring its unique RPG system. The game’s Crucible system provides a swift, real-time gaming experience and requires players to engage in self-rolling. This creative venture reflects Salim’s enthusiasm for creating daring and thrilling games rather than playing it safe, and continues the theme of death from “Zau“. Unlike “Zau“, where the goal was to confront the God of Death to learn how to handle grief, “Uso” focuses on defying death. This results in the creation of an android designed to nurture the spirits of the deceased.

Recently, Salim took on a new role in season 2 of “House of the Dragon” and gained popularity for his voice work as Bayek in “Assassin’s Creed Origins”. This talented actor and developer established Silver Rain Games, which was later rebranded to Surgent Studios. Their first project was “Tales of Kenzera: Zau”, and their current production, “Project Uso”, is eagerly anticipated by fans of “Zau”.

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2024-10-30 16:13