Tunic is a very good game. Recently played it. Although some of the puzzles /secrets I would have never found if I didn't look them up. Still have no idea how to find some of the other trophies ๐
I think its more Zelda-like then souls-like
this post was submitted on 04 Mar 2026
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Soulslike - Discussion, News, Memes
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This is a community for discussion, news, and memes pertaining to the video game sub-genre "soulslike".
Given Lemmy's size, the definition of soulslike may be treated relatively loosely. While games like the numerous FromSoft titles, the recent Star Wars Jedi games, Lies of P, Nioh and similar games should be the focus, games that incorporate soulslike elements - like Hollow Knight and Blasphemous, for example - may also be discussed here.
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To be fair, Dark Souls itself does draw a fair bit from Zelda and its like. The plot themes of Tunic felt very specifically Souls-adjacent to me, though - a seemingly weak but indomitable protagonist facing off against the decaying remnants of a collapsed golden age, gradually finding out that it's part of a seemingly everlasting cycle, and the lore being revealed only through fragmentary text found throughout the world.
I don't think Tunic should have been a souls-like. I saw the first trailer for it and fell in love. I was so excited for a Zelda-like game but the moment I realized it had a campfire system, I lost interest. Honestly, I felt a little led on.
I was ready for puzzles, exploring, items, and maybe a little sword swinging Link to the Past style, but by the second boss I turned on assist mode options because the combat was between me and the parts of the game I wanted to play. Deciphering the manual is a lot of fun, learning the game's secrets is A LOT of fun, the bosses were arguably fun, but just walking around dealing with open world enemies? It wasn't for me.
I've 100%'d Elden Ring. I'm going back through the Dark Souls series. I enjoy souls-likes, but this was a mashup that made both halves worse.
Totally fair! I personally enjoyed the combination, but that's always going to be a subjective thing. I think you're right that it doesn't initially present itself as being Soulsy though, I was quite surprised to start noticing the similarities
At its core is some unique game design that made me figure out a way to get over its problems rather than give it up entirely. If the devs didn't add Celeste-style accessibility options I probably would have binned it.
I definitely felt misled by the trailer.
Tunic is an amazing game. Definitely go in blind as much of the fun is discovering all of the secrets in the game, many of which are hidden in plain sight. The use of the old school game manual is chef's kiss for both creativity and nostalgia and remains a constantly important tool. I don't think i technically 100%'d all of the hidden stuff but I was really close.
I'm just now discovering it!
Tunic is great. I'm not a souls like game player at all.
I recommend it but I dunno if its a strong souls like as much as it is a nostalgic experience.
I love Tunic, but I try to somewhat keep it to myself to not be annoying. It's so good though.
The souls-like challenge of Tunic isn't the combat (except maybe the final boss) but the puzzles. Translating the runes without relying on the internet was gnar.
Also the only game I have gone from start to finish using the "keep yourself at super low health and use the RTSR to boost your damage" type build. Because that made it super easy.