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

One fox awakens on the beach.

When I am in control of this anthromorphic creature, I feel tiny. I have to maneuver it around a colorful and difficult world. 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. Start TunicAndrew Shouldice developed ‘The isometric adventure games,’ with very little. But I quickly find a stick.

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. The pages are not easy to read so I give up and start looking for translation clues. The first thing I need to do is find the sword.

I can tell that I’m supposed to explore, and that’s what I do. As the terrain opens up, I use my stick to hit everything with it. You have so many options, so many places to explore and so many different rooms. 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. It also allows me to travel more freely and defeat my enemies much easier. 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. Because of its camera placement, the landscape’s stylization is somewhat limited. There are some paths that have been intentionally blocked by outcrops and tree lines. It is reminiscent visually 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 get a shield eventually and some bomb-like potionlike items that make things ice. Of course, my first action is to turn. Myself into ice.) Others items, such as shiny coins of gold or pepper-like objects, are more obscure. I’ve got the pages in the manual that explain them, but I still haven’t deciphered the language. It’s often this way in Tunic, I’m left to experiment. To find the answer, I look through random pages in my instruction manual. If I pay attention, there is usually something I can work with.

This is the ethos I need to embrace. Tunic — to have the courage just to try. You can find secrets everywhere and hint of much more than what you 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, the publisher sent TunicCodes to Press, the reviewer was reminded that this game requires collaboration and directed them to a Discord server to chat with other players. 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 can do it all by myself, and not need to talk through the details with others. But everyone’s path through TunicEvery person’s understanding of the world will be different. Each individual will experience it differently. 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 fantastic.

The feeling was nostalgic. It was like sitting with a friend and playing video games, flipping through the manual pages. The feeling was like taking notes, noting clues and tips to return to 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.

This is the big question: How will this type of collaboration develop as more people have access to it? 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

TunicYou can see that it is more than you think. 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. Although it is hard, the game never feels too punishing. But, it is the most important thing. Death’s Door It trusted its players. 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 to be discovered 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 On March 16, the game will release on Mac, Windows PCs, Xbox One and Xbox Series X. Finji provided a code for the download of the game to be reviewed on PC. Vox Media also has affiliate relationships. They do not affect editorial content. However, Vox Media might earn commissions for products bought via affiliate links. Find out more. additional information about Polygon’s ethics policy here.