Tunic is greater than it seems. It treads acquainted floor to basic Legend of Zelda-style adventures, with easy fight, a big overworld, and a number of bosses and dungeons. Nevertheless, it is what’s added on prime that basically shines.
To begin with, the cunning hero does not actually have a sword, however all through the sport you may slowly accrue all of the tools you want. Your stock homes weapons, devices, consumables, and passive perks — all of which have their makes use of. Within the numerous treasure chests, you may additionally discover gadgets with which to improve your stats, amongst different rewards. It is primary stuff, nevertheless it’s executed effectively and introduced clearly.
Fight is straightforward, as talked about. A mix of sword swipes, some magical talents, and some helpful bombs are your offensive choices, and you finally get a defend to go together with your defensive dodge roll. Enemies are properly designed and surprisingly difficult, together with some bosses that may be actual issue spikes. You may tone down the issue everytime you like, although. It really works effectively sufficient, however occasional points with the lock-on could cause some premature deaths.
Higher, and extra essential than fight, is exploration. Navigating the overworld will take you to numerous areas, every full of hidden paths and head-scratching puzzles. Backtracking happens very often, which may make sure elements of the sport can really feel barely tedious. Nevertheless, thorough explorers are rewarded handsomely.
A key a part of Tunic is its digital instruction booklet. Its gorgeously illustrated pages are strewn throughout the map, and discovering them not solely offers you important info, however they’re additionally paramount for fixing lots of the recreation’s head-scratching puzzles. It is an extremely elegant means of supplying you with a nudge with out over-explaining all its secrets and techniques.
We can’t spoil what occurs, however Tunic slowly peels again layers proper to the very finish. It is a cohesive, satisfying recreation that scratches an old-fashioned action-adventure itch, going above and past with subversive, cerebral puzzles. It possibly goes on a contact longer than it must, however this little gem of a recreation punches above its weight.
