Tunic review: A Zelda-inspired action game with a twist

On a beach, a fox wakes.

As I control this animal, it makes me feel small. It is a beautiful, vibrant, unforgiving environment. I can dive, roll, and run, all essential in avoiding the many different enemies that lie ahead — blobs that are pink and gooey and others that are as sharp as ice. I begin TunicAndrew Shouldice created a simple isometric adventure game called. I do manage to find a stick quickly.

The stick is useful, but, of course, it won’t be enough. I know there’s a sword somewhere. There’s always a sword in these sorts of games, the ones that pull nostalgia from the likes of Legend of Zelda. The first time I pull up Tunic’s in-game manual, it’s not much help: It’s missing lots of pages, and the ones I Do have are largely covered in a runic language I can’t yet decipher. While I try to find clues that will translate the language, I quickly give up. First I have to find that sword.

I can tell that I’m supposed to explore, and that’s what I do. My stick is my weapon of choice. I aim to avoid any dangerous-looking foes, and follow the scenery as it unfolds. There are many paths to take, many rooms to look into, and many to peruse. I don’t feel ready for some of these places, and I’m isolated in a world that I don’t understand. Then I found the sword. It makes me feel relieved. The sword allows me to cut through bushes and access other areas. Also, I can move around the globe and fight familiar foes with greater freedom. They still get hits. It’s time to find a shield.

Image: Bart Liang, Nicole Carpenter/Polygon

Tunic is a game that’s intentionally vague, but it’s never obtuse. As a small fox in a seemingly endless world, I’m hesitant to move forward but too curious not to. Camera positioning makes it difficult to see the stylized, isometric landscape. Some paths are intentionally hidden behind trees or outcrops. The world is visually reminiscent of squares. Legend of Zelda’s map.

Soon, everything makes sense. Tunic’s in-game manual, alongside plenty of curious items. Sometimes these are keys, often for doors I haven’t found yet. I eventually pick up a shield and potionlike bombs which turn everything to ice. The first thing that I do when turning is to get a shield. You into ice.) Others items, such as shiny coins of gold or peppers with spicy looks, are more obscure. I’ve got the pages in the manual that explain them, but I still haven’t deciphered the language. This is often true in. Tunic, I’m left to experiment. To find the answer, I look through random pages in my instruction manual. I usually find something useful if I examine the pages closely.

This is what I believe in and must live by. Tunic — to have the courage just to try. There are many secrets, and there is more to the world than I see. Often, it’s stuff like a shimmering treasure chest that’s just out of reach, or the allure of a manual page across a river with no bridge. First instinct is to reach for everything: huge tuning forks or large hooks. Then, I try to find locked doors. I don’t always like not knowing what to do next, but I never want to stop trying: Tunic’s mystery is compelling enough to feel like I’m not simply running around in circles. It’s always hinting at something larger, encouraging me to look at its cryptic puzzles from new angles. Some of these puzzles are ones that I might never solve —at least, not on my own. The game is trustworthy, so I can trust it. It doesn’t always indicate the next step clearly.

Bart Liang, Polygon

Finji was the publisher TunicCodes to Press, the reviewer was reminded that this game requires collaboration and pointed them to a Discord server to chat with other players while they play. There were rules there, of course — like not being mean to each other and chatting only about the game. We were free to talk about what we liked. Tunic journeys.

Finji was correct: Collaboration improves Tunic. There is no doubt that I’d be able to play TunicI did it on my own without consulting other players. But everyone’s path through TunicEach person will see the world differently and have their own understanding. And most importantly, another person may have found manual pages that I haven’t yet, providing new information for us both. Although it may not be necessary, the communal aspect is wonderful.

The experience was nostalgic. Like playing a game with friends, where you flip the manual pages. You felt as if you were taking notes and circling clues that might be useful later. Sometimes it was completely unexpected. A person found something so bizarre, unlike anything I’d seen yet in this world — and it flipped the game upside down. There’s the community aspect to the language, too: Little bits open up as others present theories and translation methods, each pulling a different piece of information into the puzzle. It feels real when someone achieves even the smallest breakthrough.

It is a big question. Will the public gain access to this kind of community collaboration? Tunic? You have many options to make it happen, whether you want to do it organically or between friends on social media, or through Discord, such as the one that I was able to access. The community will certainly be much larger once the game is released, but it’ll be up to players to create these experiences themselves.

Image: Nicole Carpenter/Polygon

TunicIt is much more than it appears at first glance. When I began playing, I couldn’t help but make a comparison to Death’s DoorThe similarly unique and isometric game standout, ‘The Standout Game from 2021. There are similarities in the graphical style, sure, but in the combat as well — you could also call Tunic a more “generous” kind of hard video game. This game is extremely difficult, but not too hard. But, it is the most important thing. Death’s Door Trust its players and it will trust you Tunic — maybe to an even greater extent. It trusts that you’ll decipher that manual page, discover that hidden path, help a friend find that next key. It trusts that, whether alone or with a community, you’ll figure things out.

A person’s experience of playing Tunic will absolutely be what they’ve made of it. These settings allow players to move in any direction they wish, even if there are no secrets or challenging gameplay. There will be those who enjoy learning everything and defeating the bosses of this world. Amazing is the way you can do it! TunicAll of these players are served without any compromises. It is an enjoyable, puzzling adventure.

Tunic The game will be available on Mac, Windows PC and Xbox One. Finji provided a code for the download of the game to be reviewed on PC. Vox Media is an affiliate partner. Although these partnerships do not impact editorial content, Vox Media could earn commissions from products sold via affiliate links. Find out more. additional information about Polygon’s ethics policy here.