Tunic

 Switch
User Score
8.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 47 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 42 out of 47
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 47
  3. Negative: 3 out of 47

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  1. MetroidDatabase
    Aug 10, 2023
    7
    TL;DR. Overrated. Switch version is even moreso due to framerate issues and probably lower polycount on models.

    The game has: - Extremely weak combat mechanics; his sword is super underwhelming, and you're forced to use it the entire game. - Extremely confusing game progression; you really don't know if you're ever going the right way at any given time and the game does a great job at    TL;DR. Overrated. Switch version is even moreso due to framerate issues and probably lower polycount on models.

    The game has:
    - Extremely weak combat mechanics; his sword is super underwhelming, and you're forced to use it the entire game.
    - Extremely confusing game progression; you really don't know if you're ever going the right way at any given time and the game does a great job at never telling you that, either.
    - Secrets that you can only find by running up against walls or going outside of the game's point of view and hoping for the best. Back doors, alternative paths, and hidden walkways are also completely covered up by the surrounding geometry. It is a conscious decision by the developers.
    - Never feeling a full sense that your character got much stronger than when you started. (VERY basic RPG character progression)
    - The game doesn't pause when you open your inventory, and you are frozen in place making you completely open to being attacked. There's no quick weapon switching, either. You have to navigate the very basic and clunky menu.
    - The map is integrated into the lost instruction manual pages, so even when you find them, you have to tediously flip to the proper page to find out where the heck you even are. In the end, they don't even want you to rely on the map; they want you to memorize the game instead.
    - Purposefully obfuscated clues described with a fantasy language that has no translation made this game an extremely frustrating experience. This applies to every item and upgrade in the game. You're given an English label for its name, but the description is unreadable.
    - 100% perfect pathfinding enemies that will track you down between rooms. You can try to avoid enemies at times but it is not recommended because They. will. chase. you. They. will. kill. you.

    It's a cute game that goes from happy cutesy adventure to an extremely dark wtf-is-going-on game, storywise. I don't think it's anywhere near being a masterpiece. I know a lot of people will disagree with me but that's what subjectivity is all about. I think Tunic could've really shown the test of time had they made the game a little more friendly to a wider audience, but instead they chose to make it something only players with a INCREDIBLE amount of patience and an INCREDIBLE amount of gaming skill can accomplish (just like the old days). If you're not one of those people, this game is not for you. It's not Dark Souls, but it's not Zelda, either. Maybe somewhere in between.

    I get the whole "meta" nature of the game, but it wasn't the saving grace. It's a basic, top-down action-adventure game with really basic, uninventive combat controls and a purposefully confusing progression system to make the game longer than it really is. I loved the environments and the music though, but that was just the icing on top. Took me about 14 hours to get through. I will not be going back to it, ever again.    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

7
#7 Best Switch Game of 2022
42
#42 Most Discussed Switch Game of 2022

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
88

Generally favorable reviews - based on 8 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. Hey Poor Player
    Oct 10, 2022
    90
    Tunic is intuitive gameplay at its finest, requiring you to figure things out as you go. You’ll either sink, or you’ll swim, and though I sank far more often than I swam, I still couldn’t get enough of this game. If you need a little Dark Souls with your Zelda, this is one of those games that you don’t want to pass up.
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  2. 4P.de
    Oct 9, 2022
    81
    If you love 2D Zeldas or Death's Door, you have to grab it: Tunic is an imaginative action-adventure with clever ideas, a picturesque game world and really poisonous bosses - also on Switch.
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  3. TouchArcade
    Oct 4, 2022
    90
    If you enjoy action-adventures and don’t mind a game that isn’t big on going easy on the player, you should give TUNIC a look. It’s gorgeous, clever, challenging, and simply a joy to pick away at. While it is quite difficult by default, there is an impressive number of options for those who want to tailor the game to their preferences. This Switch port, while obviously not quite up to the versions on other platforms from a technical standpoint, is very good and more than capable of delivering the experience to players. Really something special.
    Read full review
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