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Tunic is highly recommended, but definitely not for everyone. While it's best to go in as blind as possible, you should be aware of what you’re getting into.
Tunic is a Zelda-inspired, soulslike game with Metroidvania elements. Though the combat and exploration are integral, it's the puzzles that truly elevate the experience. Before getting into that, let’s talk about the main game itself. Tunic is based very heavily around your intuition. There is almost no hand-holding; you're expected to figure things out on your own. This includes not only the story and your objectives but also the game's very mechanics. While much of the work is placed on the player, the game does offer some guidance: a big part of Tunic involves collecting pages for the in-game manual, which is fragmented and largely written in a strange runic language. It's up to you to piece together the context and make sense of it. Like most Metroidvanias, you acquire items that help you progress, but often, you'll discover that you could have advanced earlier if only you had understood or known some element sooner. There is no set path; most of the world is open to you, and the challenge lies in figuring out what to do next. This is the core of Tunic: most progression comes from you, the player, understanding something new about the game.
Alongside this, Tunic features more standard gameplay elements typical of soulslike games. Much of the main gameplay consists of dodging enemy attacks, weaving in your own, exploring areas, finding hidden paths, and facing difficult bosses. While the combat can be engaging, it sometimes feels like a chore where you hit the enemy roll away and wait your turn and repeat ad nauseum. Certain areas are brutally difficult, especially early on when you might wander into challenging areas prematurely. Some encounters shift from nearly impossible to surprisingly easy once you figure out the right strategy. Despite these frustrations, the combat is still solid and enjoyable. However, it’s not what makes Tunic truly special.
What sets this game apart is the puzzles. There's almost always more than meets the eye, and the most memorable moments come from solving these challenges. The puzzles are based heavily on intuition and keen observation. Games that emphasize cryptic puzzles can often leave players feeling lost; this does happen in Tunic, but generally, the game does an excellent job of subtly guiding you in the right direction — though it often requires effort and attention on your part. The difficulty of some puzzles should not be underestimated; you WILL get stuck, but every challenge IS solvable on your own. I would recommend using as little outside help as possible; solving things on your own feels immensely rewarding, though some elements may require a significant, sometimes absurd, time investment. So, you should try to persevere, but you shouldn't be ashamed to consult a guide if you truly are lost.
Additionally the graphics are great, the sound design and music is great, and the design for the ingame manual is really cool.
Tunic isn’t for everyone, but for those who have the patience and a willingness to embrace its odd features, it can be a truly phenomenal experience.