Tunic Review – A Dyed-In-The-Wool Treasure

Tunic captures perfectly the feel of that childhood game that got you hooked on video games. This game simulates an old-school guidebook and balances out telling the players little while giving all the details they need. It is an exciting game that inspires genuine triumphant discovery.

Tunic’s historical inspired design is filled with love for gaming. Players steeped in the hobby’s traditions will find following their instincts richly rewarding as they quest through its gorgeous world. Tunic blends both the old charm and the modern sensibilities of current titles in a striking way. Tunic, an isometric action/adventure game, has plenty of Zelda and Souls games. It’s a winning combination.

Real-time combat required me to watch out for potential offensive openings and keep my endurance high. Each swing, dodge and block cost me a portion of the bar. Fortunately, my stamina was not low enough to stop me attacking. However, I took more damage once the bar had run out. The distinctly relaxing music introduces an intriguing contrast to the tough battles, and the ‘Chill Beats To Fight To’ vibes take the sting out of being viciously cut down. As does the world’s simple-but-beautiful visual aesthetic. Dying meant dropping a portion of the hard-earned currency I’d won from my victories. Tunic is a great way to make sure you don’t lose anything. You can either run back to where you were killed to retrieve your money, or spend the remaining funds on things that will give you an advantage.

Tunic allows players to experience this style of gameplay without being put off. The Souls-like combat is intense, but the challenge feels satisfying rather than punishing – though a few later bosses definitely gave me trouble. Although each boss is different, they all have their own style and attack strategies to learn, most of them play the same. A formidable challenger will do everything in its power to bring you down on a closed-off field. There is no escape from this conflict.

Tunic’s fighting is great, but discovery and exploration might be its most impressive elements. While your journey is straight-line, its many paths have branches that branch off to create more branches. The destination, regardless of the direction, was always noteworthy. I discovered new areas and undiscovered locations late in the game, so it didn’t matter where I headed. The world felt infinite. This is an admirable feat in a game that has very specific paths.  

Each route had a surprising number of treasure troves and was full with interesting things. Many of these routes were difficult to access until I discovered a passage hidden from view or used clever combinations of items in order to get there. Tunic made me proud of my ability to solve puzzles without resorting to hectic work. In an amazing display of unintrusive design, the sense of discovery didn’t stop once I’d collected my prize.

Some things – like the sword or the very Zelda-esque key items that opened new zones or allowed me to get past obstacles – were self-explanatory. However, others, which I won’t spoil, were complete mysteries. One of my favorite moments from the game involved a curiously mundane object that didn’t seem to do anything. Later on in the journey, I got a wild idea about what this object might be useful for. After thinking that I couldn’t be right, I put my theory to the test and found surprising success. I audibly celebrated my accomplishment, along with the developers’ skill in designing a wonderful ‘ah-ha!’ moment.

I wasn’t left entirely without guidance, however. Tunic’s gameplay is inextricably linked to collecting the pages of an instruction booklet scattered throughout the world. Despite being predominately filled with unreadable glyphs, the nostalgia-inspiring manual somehow contained all the information I ever needed to know about Tunic – if I paid close attention. One page might demonstrate combat mechanics, while another serves as a map, and still another could give a veiled look at the game’s narrative. The story was the focus of a whole section, which I found out as I dug deeper. But the snatches of largely incomprehensible text didn’t tell the whole tale. Tunic, even though it lacks transparency, paints a captivating narrative that gives me an understanding of what is happening, while also leaving a lot up for my interpretation. I loved this.

As I read the manual closely, I saw that there were many, numerous, and hand-written pearls. This gave me the sense that I had received Tunic – along with its booklet – from an older sibling, a friend, or a second-hand store and had inadvertently gained access to secret knowledge. I studied the pamphlet’s official print as well as the helpful, if obscure, ink-scrawled hints meticulously, and the game constantly rewarded me for it. The answer to my questions was always within the pages if I got lost in my quest. I love when a game includes me, as the player, in its meta-narrative. Tunic used this concept to recall my youth memories of inheriting gaming games. It also integrated real-world experiences in the gameplay. This made my connection with the game more intimate and personal. 

Although Tunic is a great experience, it can be frustrating due to its unique complexity. It is very easy to figure out the puzzles and find the answers in Tunic, even though it is not clear at the start. But when I got stuck near the end of the game, I couldn’t simply run down another path, and my progress slowed to a halt. This however was not a common occurrence in the otherwise brilliant experience. And my frustration gave way to admiration when I discovered the easy-to-miss secret I’d been glossing over had been right there in the booklet the whole time. The developers’ attention to detail and the work poured into those collectible pages is remarkable.

My main quest was always diverting from my original goal, so I spent 20 hours rolling credits. Despite that, I know there’s still a lot for me to do in the game, and I’m excited to go back in to find every secret and experience everything its aesthetically striking world has to offer. Tunic is an amazing achievement, which combines nostalgia and modernity in a way that’s both refreshing and nostalgic. It’s absolutely a must-play gem.

#Tunic #Review #DyedInTheWool #Treasure