Tunic Game (PC Review)
Since it was first announced at E3 2018, I have waited for the Tunic game patiently. Any news and information regarding the game’s development, I consumed it with a fevered passion and greed for more. When the demo was released for a limited time in 2020 and 2021, I spent a lot of time exploring and enjoying the small snippet. I was rabid for this game to release and finally enjoyed the whole experience.
Developed by: Andrew Shouldice
Published by: Finji
The first thing to note is that Tunic takes a lot of inspiration from the Legend of Zelda series. These inspirations are found throughout the game and intertwined in the visuals from level design, enemies, and weapons. Yet, the more you play the game, the clearer it becomes that Tunic is not a Zelda clone, but a masterfully designed and crafted game.
Game Play
When you start to play Tunic, your cute fox character awakens on a beach and starts your adventure. There isn’t a tutorial or handbook when you begin, but one you can craft by picking up the scattered pages. This forces the player to enjoy the game’s true secret, exploring the world. Many chests containing weapons or coins are scattered down hidden pathways, ramps, and ledges.
One aspect of the game that does take time to get used to is that very few things are in English. It sometimes gets frustrating trying to understand the made-up language and its meaning to the accompanying pictures. After a while, things begin to make sense when you complete more of the instruction booklet.
Littered throughout the game are save points that heal and refill your health bottles. The more advance you get with weapons and objectives, the less they appear. You have to explore more of the areas to find health bottles and powerful weapons. The in-game menu allows you to customize which weapons or accessories you would like to equip.
The game play of Tunic is simple to pick up. I played it using the Steam Controller, and its integration mirrors the Xbox layout. It was effortless to know which buttons did what and not confuse them for something different. The action buttons can be customized with weapons and accessories, allowing you to tailor your play style easily.
Flaws
I was a fan of Tunic when it was announced at E3 2018, and I am even more of a fan now. The game does have flaws and issues. One of the biggest ones, as mentioned, is that very little is in English and forces the player to rely on photos for directions. With having to collect and build the instruction booklet, you can pick up pages that are not relevant or helpful for that moment. While looking for the sword, I picked up pages for a shield I didn’t have yet.
Another issue with the game is the lack of a clear direction or purpose. As you explore the world, more open up on what you have to do, but you can invest an hour or two figuring it out. At times all I had for a weapon was a wooden stick going up against monsters with swords, shields, and lances.
Final Thoughts on Tunic
Overall, Tunic hits on everything I could have wished for. From the stunning visuals, soundtrack, character design, game play, and concept. The flaws with the game make the beginning areas very bumpy and can turn some people off if they cannot push through them. Tunic has separated itself from its Zelda inspiration and be its own journey even with its faults.