LogFAQs > #963638664

TUNIC (PC)

Before I start, I just wanna say can we please stop having games with "Souls Elements". I just want to enjoy my Action Adventure and games like Death's Door prove it can still work. I almost gave up on this game because of the boss battles, of which there are mercifully fewer.

I think this is a strong contender for game of the year for me. The creator sounds familiar I can't quite put a finger on what he's made but some of the soundtrack is by Lifeforced which I know did the Dust Force OST, a personal favorite of mine.

Part Link to the Past, part ehh Dark Souls, and part Fez (making it longer cos the short name is a spoiler in itself) (Post-Game Content only), I went into this blind and almost gave up but powered through the open world exploration. Much like Death's Door, you play as the cutest fox. Seriously thought this was game was gonna be easy based on that cover alone.

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/0/2/6/AADCaiAADDUa.jpg

ADVENTURE!

What makes this game stand out is two-fold: First, the interesting use of the "game manual" which is a collectible that you unlock as you play which is a brilliant narrative device that either hints you on locations you haven't seen and enemies you haven't fought, or teaches you skills you already knew all along but the game never told you you'd have until that moment. A sort of reverse twist on the ol' Zelda/Metroidvania formula. Like Ittle Dew, its open world nature invites you to acquire the tools and weapons you want out of order and the game plays perfectly fine. The manual itself is sure to tickle your 90s nostalgia as it even has pencil scribbles for hints unseen. And speaking of which, probably my favorite moment was that this manual is absolutely crucial in unlocking the game's true ending. A masterclass in game design.

The second thing that makes this game stand out and people might disagree with me on how nice it is but this is the first game I've seen that has...accessibility options. Built-in to the game is the ability to turn off the stamina bar AND give you god mode if you wish. Now before you whine, yes I did finish the bosses legit. But this game is more than just a DarkSoulsclone, it's extra special and I feel like this god moddery is a nice option to people who just wanna solve the puzzle.

And puzzles there are! There are ALOT. Beyondthe true ending of the game, lies several fiendish riddles. We're talking The Witness-level complexity here. I did my best but I'll be the first to admit, after getting roughly half of them I went and got a guide for the rest. There's an one ARG element beyond all that which hints at either a sequel or a DLC possibly.

Anyways, great game to ahem start the year off. If you're like me and you're patiently holding off on Elden Ring, then this is a nice substitute. It's got everything and it's very endearing as you wander and solve things on your own.