Those with a PlayStation Plus subscription have a new Day One release to explore later this April with a brand-new game featuring some familiar voices from HBO’s House Of The Dragon. The persistent library accessible through PS+ Extra and Premium known as PlayStation Plus Game Catalog is a crucial part of the membership. Like Xbox Game Pass, this feature makes it possible to get some major releases on day one without making any individual payment.
As revealed on the official PlayStation Blog, the next big day-one addition to the PS Plus catalog is coming on April 23 with Tales of Kenzera: ZAU, a unique Metroidvania set to launch across all major modern platforms. Developed by the new Surgent Studios and published under Electronic Arts’ EA Originals label, the game draws on the personal experience of director Abubakar Salim to tell a single-player story about grief and courage. Without a PS Plus subscription, Tales of Kenzera: ZAU will retail for $19.99. PlayStation describes the game as follows:
In Tales of Kenzera: ZAU, the titular character of Zau makes a deal with the god of death in an attempt to bring his recently passed father back from the grave. Cosmic powers give him unique brawling abilities to deploy against enemies, including everything from elemental attacks to time manipulation. The Highlands, Woodlands, and Deadlands all provide colorful environments to explore in a 2.5D landscape, all inspired by Bantu tales from a variety of African cultures.
Fans of Assassin’s Creed are likely to know Abubakar Salim from his performance as Bayek of Siwa, the protagonist of Assassin’s Creed Origins who features arguably some of the most compelling voice acting in the franchise. He’s also appeared in games like Diablo 4 and Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical, and will be lending his voice to the role of Zau in Tales of Kenzera: ZAU. This is the first game he’s directed, although it could lead to more from Surgent Studios if it ends up resonating with its audience.
Salim is just one among an impressive voice cast array, who have featured in major games, television shows, and films alike. In a standout selling point, it will also be possible to play Tales of Kenzera: ZAU in Swahili, an experience that features its own alternative cast. Music for the game is provided by Nainita Desai, who previously composed for the Sam Barlow titles Telling Lies and Immortality, along with a stint on Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2.
Fans of HBO’s House of the Dragon will likely also be familiar with some of the game’s cast. Steve Toussaint, who played Lord Corlys Velaryon in the first season of the show, will be voicing the character Bomani. Meanwhile, Salim himself is also set to appear in the show’s second season, where he will play Alyn of Hull, also known as Alyn Velaryon. The full cast list for both the English and Swahili versions of the game can be seen below.
Tales of Kenzera: ZAU obviously isn’t the only game coming to PS Plus in April. The monthly additions of Immortals of Aveum, Minecraft Legends, and Skul could all be possible draws for anyone with an active subscription. Dave the Diver is also joining the PlayStation Plus catalog on April 16, one week before the debut of Tales of Kenzera: ZAU.
Source: PlayStation Blog