As 2022 shapes up to be a great year in gaming, there are a litany of titles that are likely to go overlooked - with one such game being Tunic. The first few months alone are lined with experiences including Horizon Forbidden West, Ghostwire: Tokyo, Pokemon Legends: Arceus, and Elden Ring, as well as plenty of games set to release this year without a set date, it’s likely going to be tough for smaller devs to share in the limelight.
Tunic is an isometric, top-down adventure game that was announced at E3 2018, and players immediately noticed the similarities to some entries in The Legend of Zelda series. However, Tunic isn’t the only game that draws inspiration from such an esteemed franchise, as Acid Nerve’s Death’s Door captured the hearts of many upon its release in summer 2021. Death’s Door and Tunic perhaps have more in common with each other than they do with the series they draw inspiration from, and with the former succeeding greatly both critically and commercially, Tunic has the opportunity to benefit from Death’s Door’s continued success.
The Trail That Death’s Door Blazed
Death’s Door released alongside a number of independent offerings. Cris Tales arrived the very same day and The Forgotten City released just one week after, leaving the summer of 2021 propped up by games away from the AAA space. However, while Death’s Door garnered strong critical acclaim upon its release, it wasn’t until January 20, 2022 that it piqued the interests of mass audiences by joining Xbox Game Pass. A strong narrative theme, tight gameplay, charming visuals, and curious puzzles all combine to make Death’s Door one of this generation’s more successful indie games; one that has more than earned its Legend of Zelda comparisons.
It would be foolish to presume that Tunic will just be a cookie-cutter copy of Death’s Door, or indeed of any Legend of Zelda title, as its development far precedes the former title. Tunic looks to have an aesthetic and design all its own, not least because the protagonist is a fox as opposed to a crow. However, as Acid Nerve’s offering whets the 2D Zelda-like appetite of many, Tunic’s arrival on March 16 is primed to capitalize on people’s love of Death’s Door. The pair seem to share more than a few similarities, so when credits roll on Death’s Door, the opportunity to continue with Tunic presents itself.
Tunic Finding a Place in a Budding Genre
The top-down, isometric gameplay popularized by The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening and A Link to the Past has not been short of clones. The games’ popularity has spawned a Zelda-inspired genre all its own, and while many have been faithful to the formula, they often lack the charm of the Nintendo originals. Tunic has the opportunity to join the few that do this right, and not without paying homage to the series that inspired it. From the traditional sword-and-shield weapon set to the fox’ clothes bearing a resemblance to Link’s iconic green outfit (with a pink bandana that seems a subtle nod to Link’s pink hair in A Link to the Past), Tunic can succeed where titles like Oceanhorn failed. Riding the wave that Death’s Door established would be a smart way to achieve such a feat.
It is unclear if Tunic will be on Game Pass upon release or soon after, but with its Xbox console exclusivity, it would be a logical to assume it could follow a similar format to Death’s Door. Thanks in-part to Death’s Door’s critical praise, those who take advantage of the Microsoft subscription service were likely more inclined to play Acid Nerve’s game. Bringing Tunic to the service could once again attract new eyes to a genre that is starting to really gain traction.
Tunic’s single-person development team and somewhat tight budget means there’s a chance it’s drowned by the slate of games arriving in March 2022. Yet its promotional material has painted a delightful picture, and by following in the footsteps of Death’s Door, there’s every chance such a small game can garner a big reception.
Tunic is set to release on March 16 for PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
