On May 27th, Tom Clancy’s The Division 2 will be available across all Game Pass Tiers, just in time for the new Battle for Brooklyn DLC (which retails for $14.99 and includes six to ten hours of gameplay). to a T, the latest title from Katamari Damacy creator Keita Takahashi arrives on May 28th. A free demo is available now on PC to try out.

Another big Sega role-playing game joins the service on May 29th with Studio Zero’s Metaphor: ReFantazio. Even more impressive is it will be playable for all subscription tiers. Spray Paint Simulator is out on the same day, while Crypt Custodian and Symphonia will be available on June 3rd.

Of course, it’s worth noting that Game Pass Standard subscribers can access new titles like Creatures of Ava, Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 (recently announced for PS5) and S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl on May 22nd. All three will be playable on Xbox Series X/S.

Check out the range of titles leaving Game Pass on May 31st:

• Cassette Beasts (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Firework (PC)
• Humanity (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Remnant 2 (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Slayers X: Terminal Aftermath: Vengance of the Slayer (Cloud, Console, and PC)

ANIMAL WELL 

The golden age of Metroidvanias continues to deliver modern classics, and Animal Well has surely joined that list. With no combat whatsoever and a striking pixel art aesthetic, it allows itself to stand out in a crowded genre, while its finely crafted and dense world, which remains a constant joy to explore from start to finish, is also a highlight. For fans of Metroidvanias, this one is unmissable.

Specifically, the studio’s next title is described as a afro-gothic isometric action RPG. As per Salim, the game is being developed under the name Project Uso, and is going to be set in the same universe as Tales of Kenzera: Zau.

Billed as a “darker, more visceral, [and] gritty” game than the studio’s sidescrolling Metroidvania debut, the game is inspired by Planescape: Torment. Salim says Surgent Studios is currently “looking for a funding partner to bring it to life.”

Talking about the game, Salim revealed that players will play as an android cradling the spirit of Eshu, the God of Chaos.

“The story (with Zau) is that as a shaman you’re challenging the God of Death as a way of looking at the idea of healthy handling grief, so I came up with the idea of what if one reader is inspired to defy death itself, so they create this android which is fashioned to cradle the spirits of the dead,” he said. “And what if that spirit isn’t a human being, it’s a God, Eshu, the God of Chaos, so now you’ve got these two mentalities in one frame? That’s something I thought would be really cool to explore.”

According to Salim, Project Uso will feature real-time combat, and will also use a new system dubbed the “Crucible” system that will see players rolling against themselves.

“We want to really focus our time and attention on the mechanics, on the gameplay on the feel of it as a whole, because I think that’s what’s really key,” he said. “That’s what is going to make it really sing.

“As passionate Dungeons and Dragons players, the Surgent team and I knew we wanted to try our hand at creating our own RPG system. As a way to give Project Uso a fast-paced, real-time feel, we created the Crucible system, which requires players to roll against themselves.”

Surgent Studios has also shared concept images for the title. You can view them below.

pic.twitter.com/gulWFDsFZS

— Surgent Studios | ZAU OUT NOW (@surgentstudios) July 2, 2024

Original story follows:

Surgent Studio, an independent development team led by actor Abubakar Salim, has been hit with layoffs. As reported by Game Developer, though the studio itself has yet to make an official announcement regarding the same, several of its former employees have confirmed on social media that they were let go.

That includes technical artist Jordan Smee and level designer Pete Brisbourne on LinkedIn, and a producer going by Raysura on Bluesky. The full extent of the layoffs is unconfirmed, but clearly, multiple at the studio have been impacted.

Surgent Studios released its debut title, Tales of Kenzera: Zau, earlier this year. The Metroidvania action-adventure title, which was published by EA, was met with mostly positive reviews, though there’s been no word on how the game has sold.

In our review of the game, we gave the game a score of 7/10, saying, “Tales of Kenzera: Zau delivers a genuinely touching and heartfelt story in a rich and mystical world, even if it lets itself down with its combat, platforming, and design.” Read the full review through here.

Tales of Kenzera: Zau is available on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, and PC.

Set in the mystical lands of Kenzera, Surgent Studios’ 2.5D game puts you in the shoes of Zau, a young shaman looking to revive his late father’s spirit, for which he strikes a bargain with Kalunga, the God of Death- to find the three Great Spirits who have resisted Kalunga’s calls and help them pass on from the world of the living into the realm of the dead. From that central narrative premise to how expertly it handles heavy themes like grief and loss, to the rich and vibrant world where the game is set, there’s a lot to be impressed by when it comes to virtually anything related to Tales of Kenzera: Zau’s narrative ambitions.

"If you’re expecting Tales of Kenzera: Zau to deliver an experience that can rival recent genre greats like Hollow Knight or Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, it’s likely that you’ll be left disappointed. If, however, what you’re looking for is an engaging and well-told story, Tales of Kenzera: Zau is an easy game to recommend."

Chief among them is the deeply personal tale at the heart of the experience. Made as an homage to his own late father and the relationship he shared with him by game director and veteran voice actor Abubakar Salim (who also voices Zau in the game), themes of grief and how to deal with the loss of a loved one are always front and center in Tales of Kenzera. Each section of the game sees Zau trying to help a lingering Great Spirit move on into the realm of the dead, and each section and the unique arc it comes with ties into Zau’s own personal story in fascinating ways, often making for some genuinely moving moments.

It helps that the core cast of characters is as endearing as it is. The central duo of Zau and Kalunga are both multi-layered personalities, and both are not only well written, but also brought to life just as effectively and believably by excellent voice acting performances. The side characters you meet throughout your journey, though not nearly as prominent as Zau or Kalunga, also serve as solid additions to the cast, each bringing their own unique charms and valuable contributions to the story and its emotional core.

The setting, too, does a lot of heavylifting. Inspired by African cultures and mythologies, the lands of Kenzera are consistently gorgeous and a pleasure to simply exist in. There’s a magically atmospheric feel to the game’s world, backed by excellent visuals that, though not the most impressive from a technical perspective, benefit massively from gorgeous art design and meaningful diversity in environments. Though it’s at times a bit frustrating that Tales of Kenzera’s pared-back approach to things such as exploration don’t allow you to dive as deeply into some of the game’s environments as you’d wish (more on this in a bit), it is, at the very least, always a pleasure to simply exist and move about in the world.

"Each section of the game sees Zau trying to help a lingering Great Spirit move on into the realm of the dead, and each section and the unique arc it comes with ties into Zau’s own personal story in fascinating ways, often making for some genuinely moving moments."

Without a doubt, the story and the setting are the stars of the show in Tales of Kenzera: Zau, though when you come to its gameplay and design elements, the experience does come across as a lot more uneven. A lot of that is, of course, down to the fact that this is a story-focused game – probably much more than anything you’re used to seeing in the Metroidvania genre – which means the game’s priorities often lie with being as approachable and accessible as possible. On one hand, that comes with the obvious benefit of the game’s excellent story being easy to fully experience for as many players as possible. On the other, that also means Tales of Kenzera is frequently much more straightforward than fans of the genre would want.

At times, in fact, it’s almost easy to forget that Tales of Kenzera: Zau is, technically speaking, a Metroidvania. The labyrinthine, interconnected, backtracking-focused design that the genre is associated with is heavily pared back here, to the point where the vast majority of the game feels like a linear experience where you’re constantly progressing forward in one direction. There are definitely a few areas where you can take branching paths or try and seek out hidden secrets, challenges, collectibles, and explorable sections, but for the most part, they’re heavily de-emphasized for the bulk of the experience, which means exploration isn’t nearly as meaty or rewarding as you’d want in a Metroidvania.

Thankfully, moving through the world still feels enjoyable more often than not. Tales of Kenzera’s platforming and traversal mechanics aren’t as precise as a Hollow Knight or a Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, nor as smooth and fluid as an Ori and the Will of the Wisps or a Metroid Dread, but within the more straightforward and pared-back structure of the experience, they do their job well enough. Chaining together jumps, double jumps, slides, and dashes while trying to navigating environmental obstacles and challenges never feels like it’s stepping outside of the tried-and-tested conventions of the genre, but though they don’t break new ground, these sections are generally fun to play through.

"At times, in fact, it’s almost easy to forget that Tales of Kenzera: Zau is, technically speaking, a Metroidvania. The labyrinthine, interconnected, backtracking-focused design that the genre is associated with is heavily pared back here."

Occasionally, however, the game can be bogged down by moments of frustration. These can come in a few forms. Movement and platforming can feels a bit sluggish and imprecise at times, which is often down to the game failing to register your inputs from time to time, seemingly at random. Certain sections also come with frustrating design decisions, from inconsistent checkpointing to sudden difficulty spikes in platforming challenges, especially with one-hit kill hazards. Though these issues remain relatively easy to forgive for the most part, they do add up in the long run, which means it does feel like Tales of Kenzera doesn’t quite hit its potential where platforming and traversal are concerned.

Combat is similarly uneven. Zau is equipped with two shaman masks that he’s inherited from his father, allowing him to wield the power of the sun and the moon, providing melee and ranged abilities respectively. You can switch between both masks on the fly, and flitting from one form to another while dodging and dashing around your enemies feels satisfying right off the bat, especially as you begin unlocking new abilities that allow you to freeze foes, throw heavy spears at them from a distance, and more.

Unfortunately, Tales of Kenzera’s combat doesn’t have enough depth to sustain itself for the entirety of the game’s runtime. Though boss fights are always unforgettable spectacles that expertly combine fast and aggressive combat with fluid platforming and plenty of visual splendour, the deeper you get into the game, the more repetitive all of its combat encounters outside of boss fights become. From lacking enemy variety to liberally repeated encounter types to paper-thin progression mechanics, Tales of Kenzera’s combat, though fun in a superficial sense, doesn’t evolve as much as it should have to meet its potential.

"Tales of Kenzera’s combat doesn’t have enough depth to sustain itself for the entirety of the game’s runtime."

Ultimately, what your takeaway from Tales of Kenzera: Zau is after you’ve rolled credits on its roughly eight-hour journey will depend on the areas you wanted the game to prioritize before diving in. Surgent Studios’ debut game excels beyond expectations in a number of areas, with a brilliantly captivating story, excellent voice acting performances, and a rich and magical setting that boasts an incredible sense of place. On the other hand, in terms of design and gameplay, the game is definitely not on the same level as the many, many modern Metroidvania greats we’ve been treated to in recent years, whether in terms of combat, platforming, or level design. Narratively, Tales of Kenzera undoubtedly succeeds in delivering on its promises, but there’s also little doubt that if it was a better Metroidvania, the entire experience could have been markedly more memorable, even if it has no shortage of unforgettable moments as it is.

This game was reviewed on the PlayStation 5.

Tales of Kenzera is a 2.5D Metroidvania action-adventure title. Set in the land of Kenzera, the game sees players stepping into the shoes of young shaman Zau, who sets out on a quest to convince Kalunga, the God of Death, to revive his dead father.

Developer Surgent Studios has revealed that Tales of Kenzera: Zau’s main story will be roughly 8-10 hours long, though with optional content, you can get 12-15 hours of play time. The game will feature options for full voice overs in both English and Swahili.

Tales of Kenzera: Zau launches on April 23 for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, and PC. The game will also be available via the PlayStation Plus Game Catalog at launch.

In its preview, One More Game reported that Tales of Kenzera: Zau will be roughly 8-10 hours long if you’re sticking to the main story, and about 12-15 hours with optional content. According to studio founder and game director Abubakar Salim, Surgent Studios wanted to craft an experience befitting its $20 price tag, with the focus being on telling a story and making the game as accessible as possible.

“We almost want to treat it like a good season of TV,” he said. “Plus, at a $20 price point… respect the wallet. Gaming is an expensive hobby, and we want to make this as accessible as possible, especially with the idea of a universal theme of grief.“

Tales of Kenzera: Zau launches on April 23 for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, and PC. It will also be available with PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium at launch.

They include Dave the Diver, Construction Simulator, Raji: An Ancient Epic, Nour: Play With Your Food and Deliver Us Mars, all playable on PS4 and PS5. PS4 players can look forward to The Crew 2, Oddballers, The Lego Ninjago Movie Videogame and Lego Marvel’s Avengers. Finally, Miasma Chronicles and Stray Blade are playable exclusively on PS5.

PlayStation Plus Premium subscribers can look forward to three classic titles – Alone in the Dark: The New Nightmare, Star Wars: Rebel Assault 2: The Hidden Empire and MediEvil, all from the PlayStation One era and playable on PS4 and PS5. Stay tuned for more updates on the Game Catalog in the coming weeks.

Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes

Among the many franchises that Konami has ignored through the years is Suikoden, and though it’s remastering the first two games, the potential next chapter is coming from a completely different studio. Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes is a spiritual successor, produced and directed by Yoshitaka Murayama, the driving force behind the first three games (who recently passed away).

It features three core protagonists – Marisa, Seign and Nowa – in the fantasy world of Allraan, where rune-lenses have become a popular commodity. With the Galdean Empire using them to command and conquer, it’s up to the trio to assemble allies from across the land to fight back. Cue over 100 different allies with unique stories and abilities, from the magical girl Mellore and her crew to CJ, Isha and Garoo from Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising.

Combat is turn-based, but battles play out differently based on the environment. If there are cliffs or other elevated positions, they can prove advantageous for long-range party members. This also affects the presentation of battles, giving them a cinematic flair. Players can also unleash Hero Combos to team up and deal devastating damage. On top of this is War Mode, which offers real-time combat over a larger scale, and the Alliance Headquarters, with mini-games and different activities available.

Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes launches on April 23rd for Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PS4, PS5, PC and Nintendo Switch.

Phantom Fury

You’re forgiven for not remembering Bombshell, an isometric character action game with a whopping 43 Metascore. Phantom Fury is the follow-up, releasing on April 23rd for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PC and Nintendo Switch, but offers first-person shooter gameplay instead. It sees Shelly Harrison on a bombastic journey through the US, battling mutants, cyborgs and enemy soldiers to secure an artifact. While the standard handguns and shotguns are available, Phantom Fury has some unique options – like Bowling Balls and electric foam.

Weapons can be upgraded and modified, while Shelly can eventually unlock new abilities like a shield or punching enemy groups into a fine red mist. It may have some boomer shooter vibes, but with extensive interactivity (including playable arcade machines) and fast-paced combat, it may be a worthy FPS diversion.

Underspace

For many, Freelancer is the pinnacle of sandbox space combat titles, which very few have managed to compete with, much less surpass. While it’s too early to call Underspace a competitor, the prospect of a hand-crafted universe with cosmic horrors and Eldritch creatures to navigate (appropriately named Croft) is too enticing to ignore. Like Freelancer, you can pursue the main quest or be whatever you want, exploring the universe and solving puzzles, battling massive space serpents, interacting with more than 40 factions and venturing into the deepest reaches of space. And yes, you can engage in trade, shipping and piracy with co-op support.

There is a catch, though – Underspace launches on April 10th for PC in early access. The developer has clarified that extensive ship customization, several interiors and questlines, and even cockpit textures won’t be available. Multiplayer is also launching in a “very early state” without many key features. Early access will still offer plenty of campaign content, bosses, enemies, points of interest and more to explore, but further polish is still required. Even with all that in mind, we’re keen to try Underspace and embrace the void.

Sea of Thieves

Rare’s highly successful live service pirate title comes to PS5 as part of Microsoft’s new multi-platform approach. Since launching in March 2018 to a mixed reception, Sea of Thieves has undergone an exceptional transformation over the years, with new content, mechanics, cosmetics and even narrative-focused questlines with Tall Tales (which crossover with the likes of Monkey Island and Pirates of the Caribbean).

Don’t let its cartoony visuals fool you, as Sea of Thieves offers some realistic sailing to go with its combat and exploration. While it still doesn’t have a proper character creator, the new Safer Seas option allows players who don’t want to engage in PvP and explore the seas with their crew at their leisure, with some limitations. It’s out on April 30th for PS5, with Digital Deluxe owners receiving five days early access.

Final Fantasy 16: The Rising Tide

Final Fantasy 16 had a strong start when it launched last year and though its first DLC, Echoes of the Fallen, was pretty short, The Rising Tide looks to redeem it. Players explore a new region, Mysidia, with new locations, side quests and fresh enemies, including Tonberries. The focus of this DLC is on Leviathan, the forgotten Eikon, and along with a boss battle against it, Clive also gains new abilities, including one that has an Active Reload mechanic. An increased level cap is inbound, which should be helpful in the new end-game activity, Kairos’ Gate.

It’s a wave-based survival mode with increasingly tougher enemies and bosses, with new items and weapons as rewards. Beat all of the stages and a new secret boss becomes available. As a send-off to Final Fantasy 16, The Rising Tide is worth looking forward to when it launches on April 18th for PS5. Even for those who aren’t picking it up, a free update will go live, allowing you to create sets of Eikonic Skills, among other quality-of-life improvements.

Stellar Blade

Shift Up calls modern action games an inspiration for Stellar Blade which is pretty clear based on gameplay and the recent demo. Though sci-fi, the Earth is in ruins, and players explore linear levels and semi-open world segments alike, taking on requests while accompanied by a helpful drone.

For all its similarities, however, Stellar Blade offers high-fidelity visuals and detail with a crisp frame rate, and unique combat mechanics that mix Sekiro-like parrying with special attacks, perfect dodges and combos. The main campaign promises to last about 25 hours, with plenty of collectibles and unlockables to discover. Time will tell if Stellar Blade can rise further beyond its inspiration when it launches on April 26th for PS5, but so far, it’s looking good.

Tales of Kenzera: ZAU

From smaller titles from relatively lesser-known developers to triple-A level games like Immortals of Aveum and Wild Hearts, the EA Originals label has seemingly come full circle with Tales of Kenzera: ZAU. The story involves a boy reading a tale by his late father about Zau, who explores the land of Kenzera.

As a 2.5D Metroid-style game, there are some stunning visuals with beautifully realized environments to go with fast-paced combat. Tales of Kenzera: ZAU promises to be a perfect encapsulation of what grief is when it launches on April 23rd for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PC and Nintendo Switch.

Dead Island 2: SoLA Expansion

2023’s excellent Dead Island 2 received an expansion back in November of last year. Now it’s all set to released another one in the form of SoLA. Releasing on April 17, this expansion will takes players to a music festival in the heart of LA. Apparently, this festival is turning everyone into zombies. The SoLA expansion promises an interesting setup, so we are intrigued to see how it pans when we go hands on with it later this month.

TopSpin 2K25

It’s been over 13 years since the last entry in the acclaimed Top Spin franchise, but the wait is nearly over as TopSpin 2K25 nears release. Legends like Roger Federer and Serena Williams headline the 24-player roster with true-to-life venues like La Caja Mágica, Pala Alpitour and Foro Italico, and online multiplayer with cross-platform support. Solo players can venture into MyCareer and fight to become Grand Slam Champion, with MyPlayer offering an extensive range of options to customize your appearance, gear and more. TopSpin 2K25 launches on April 26th for Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PS4, PS5 and PC.

Gigantic: Rampage Edition

Launched in 2017, Motiga’s Gigantic is making an unexpected comeback with Gigantic: Rampage Edition. Developed by abstraction and published by Gearbox for $19.99, it features the same MOBA-style gameplay loop, with teams of five players working together to take out the opposing Guardian. However, all microtransactions are now removed, with cosmetics acquired through gameplay.

It also adds two new heroes and maps, a new game mode called Rush and cross-platform play. Ranked Mode and additional hero skins are coming in post-launch updates. Gigantic: Rampage Edition launches on April 9th for Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5 and PC, and regardless of its long-term success, it’s good to see it return.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Arcade: Wrath of the Mutants

Playing like the Konami classics of old, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Arcade: Wrath of the Mutants features Turtle Power that builds upon defeating enemies and can unleash powerful screen-clearing attacks. Local co-op is supported for four players, on top of the original stages and boss fights, though Wrath of the Mutants adds three more stages and six new bosses. Launching on April 23rd, it could offer some fun for those who want more TMNT brawling action.

Freedom Planet 2

Following extensive acclaim with its PC version, Freedom Planet 2 is out now on Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S on April 4th. The action platformer offers a new threat with Merga, the water dragon, and four characters – Lilac, Carol and Milla from the first game, and the now-playable Neera. Adventure Mode offers a mix of story cutscenes and a world map to explore, while Classic Mode focuses on the stages alone.

Boss fights are even more over-the-top than the first game – with the new Battlesphere Arena offering an extensive range of optional challenges. Thankfully, new Potions, Amulets and Charms can provide some buffs for one’s character, while a revival system offers a risky second chance. If you enjoy 2D Sonic the Hedgehog titles or want a fun action platformer, Freedom Planet 2 is well worth the time.

Inkbound

Roguelike turn-based combat in a universe where books act as worlds to be explored by the creators of Monster Train? That’s Inkbound in a nutshell, but there’s more. The combat allows free movement from players, but during online play, you can coordinate and act simultaneously with up to three other players. There are also several character classes, abilities and upgrades, hundreds of items and more to make each run feel fresh. Inkbound is currently in early access, but version 1.0 is out on April 10th for PC, adding new cutscenes, cosmetics and other content.

Sand Land

As set in a desert world, players control Beelzebub in SAND LAND, who ventures with Thief and Sheriff Rao to discover the Legendary Spring.

Though it’s an action RPG, the focus is on vehicle design, as players cobble together tanks, bikes and jump-bots from various parts depending on the need. The sense of adventure and aesthetic, alongside the combat, set it apart from the crowd, and we’re curious to witness the Sand Land’s world when the game launches on April 26th for PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC.

Braid Anniversary Edition

The classic side-scrolling indie platformer from Thekla Inc. returns with updated visuals and gorgeous new backgrounds (with the old art style available to switch to at any time). However, there’s more to Braid Anniversary Edition than revamped sound effects, revised tracks, or the +15-hour developer commentary and interviews which discuss the design. It also features 35 new levels with new puzzles, though other additions remain to be revealed.

Hilariously, only four or five new levels were to be added before things got out of hand. Either way, Braid Anniversary Edition should satisfy long-time fans and draw in new ones when it launches on April 30th for Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One and PC.

Recently, for instance, the developer took to Twitter to reveal that in addition to English, Tales of Kenzera: Zau is also going to feature full Swahili voice overs at launch. Given the game’s strong emphasis on authentic representation of African culture, that’s a massive bonus. Earlier this year, fellow Metroidvania title Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown did something similar when it launched with a Farsi VO option. Hopefully, this is a trend we’ll continue to see more of.

Additionally, Surgent Studios has also revealed the full voice cast for the game’s English and Swahili options. Abubakar Salim – best known as Bayek in Assassin’s Creed Origins, who is, incidentally, also Tales of Kenzera’s director and Surgent Studios’ founder – will voice protagonist Zau in English, in addition to voicing Zuberi. In Swahili, said role will be taken up by Neville Misati. Meanwhile, God of Death Kalunga will be voiced by Tristan D. Lalla in English, and Maqbul Mohammed in Swahili. You can check out the full voice cast below.

Tales of Kenzera: Zau will launch on April 23 for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC. It will also be available via the PS Plus Game Catalog at launch.

https://twitter.com/ZauTheGame/status/1775553899073606042