The latest indie isometric action-adventure, Tunic, proves that looks are often deceiving. Its cutesy art style and serene background music are used as a perfect cover to incorporate a plethora of challenges within a seemingly modest concept. Its mechanics are unmistakably reminiscent of older The Legend of Zelda games, and perhaps even more so with the existence of the protagonist’s two signature weapons: a sword and a shield.
Tunic‘s gameplay offers a balanced blend of Soulslike and Zelda experience. The game’s unique accessibility features and a wonderfully designed in-game instruction manual put a twist on its formula and adjust the perceived difficulty to accommodate a border audience. While Tunic does not provide any explicit guidance, it does include well-disguised hints that will help the players discover some of its secrets. After being thrust into a deceptively large overworld and obtaining the first available melee weapon, players will soon realize that better equipment is needed.
Where To Find The Sword In Tunic
Upon discovering the Stick at the beginning of the game, players should ascend the next three flights of stairs to reach the first bonfire shrine and save their progress. They will notice another set of steps to the left of the shrine, which they should take. Crossing the bridge that connects the small plateau to a larger area will lead the players to a golden key. After obtaining the key, they should backtrack to a signpost pointing toward Hero’s Grave, which happens to be situated a level above the cave that housed the Stick.
The newly acquired key will grant players access to previously locked areas, allowing them to uncover the path to a more powerful melee weapon, the Sword. Once they have unlocked the door east of the Hero’s Grave signpost and passed through the house, players will emerge back in The Overworld, where they will be greeted with two sets of ladders. Players should climb the ladders that lead to upper levels and continue the upward trek until they discover the next signpost.
Heading in the direction of the East Forest signpost will take the players to East Belltower first. Instead of opting for the narrow staircase, they should take the hallway and descend the ladders that only go halfway down. As the players will not be able to turn back past this point, they should press on and keep an eye out for the next two signposts. The second signpost will indicate that Hero’s Grave is ahead, and to reach it, players will need to go around the corner and follow the pathway on the right-hand side of the screen.
The area in the immediate vicinity of Hero’s Grave will shower the players with more obstacles. Because the main path is blocked by thick vegetation, players need to take the only side path available. It will lead them to a locked gate and a set of stairs that they have to scale in order to reach a ladder, which will grant them access to the mechanism that operates the gate. After opening up the path ahead, players will get the opportunity to claim the Sword that lies in wait at the memorial.
Where To Find The Shield In Tunic
As the players exit East Belltower via Guardhouse One with the Sword in hand, they should make their way to the first bonfire shrine. Clearing the thick vegetation west of the East Forest signpost will reveal a shortcut that leads players to a page from the instruction manual. Since it showcases a portion of the map of the overworld, players might notice a particular location is highlighted. This is indicative of their next destination.
Old House may be a stone’s throw away from the first bonfire shrine, but it is locked, and players will need to find the key first. As such, they should climb down the ladders next to the Old House and head southwest to discover a layered slope, which will lead them to lower levels. The path past the cave will eventually take them to a fountain and a set of stone steps that they need to descend. To get the golden key that lies east of their current location, players will need to either distract the two opponents guarding it or defeat them.
With the key to the Old House in their inventory, players should be ready to head back and invite themselves in. The first room in the house features a treasure chest that does not contain the Shield, but if the players divert their attention to the left wall, they can discover a small passage that leads to the back of the house. Once inside, players should make a right turn and follow the glowing path until they reach a makeshift bridge. On the other side, the Shield awaits, effectively marking the end of players’ arduous quest for better equipment.
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