Common Questions

No. The lead developer, Andrew Shouldice, filled the game with a strange, unreadable language on purpose, so that players would feel they were in a world that was not meant for them. Signposts show baffling symbols instead of saying what lies around the next corner, and the inventory screen uses the same runes. TUNIC itself is localized into 27 languages. Developer post, PlayStation Blog

The manual is written in the same glyphs, Finji notes, but its pages are full of hand-drawn illustrations. Finji launch post, Xbox Wire Some labels are in ordinary words: the Overworld map on manual page 28 includes "THE OVERWORLD" and "TO EAST FOREST". Manual page 28, Finji launch post Instruction Manual suggests ways to inspect those clues before looking up a full translation.

No. The store description says its pages reveal maps, tips, special techniques and secrets. Steam store page Finji describes it as a manual that doubles as a puzzle book, or triples as a strategy guide. Publisher post, PlayStation Blog Finji's launch post on Xbox Wire advises studying the pages to get a lay of the land and the upper hand on enemies. Finji launch post, Xbox Wire Review a new page when it is found instead of saving every sheet for the end of the game.

Yes. TUNIC has options that let players customize the combat challenge: they can opt out of some of the more technical parts of combat or turn on a No Fail mode. Finji pitched these options at players who are new to dodge-rolling action games, playing with a child, tired from a long week of work, or mostly there for the puzzles. Publisher post, PlayStation Blog The update of 27 September 2022 added a reduced combat difficulty mode for players who want easier fights without turning on No Fail mode. Update notes, 27 September 2022 Look through the game's settings if combat is stopping you from exploring.

Andrew Shouldice describes TUNIC as a game about a tiny fox in a big world, where you explore, fight monsters and find secrets. Developer post, PlayStation Blog In the store description's premise, stories say a great treasure is hidden somewhere in the land. Steam store page Red arrows on the Overworld map on manual page 28 point to three routes off the map: "TO EAST FOREST", "TO WEST GARDEN" and "TO MOUNTAIN DOOR". Manual page 28, Finji launch post Two of the five achievements Steam shows openly are about bells: Ding, "Rang the Eastern Bell", and Dong, "Rang the Western Bell". Steam achievement list Ding covers the Eastern Bell achievement and what page 28 shows about the bells.

Finji's advice to stuck players is that all of the answers are in the manual. For anyone really stuck, it points to its Discord community, whose members make an effort to protect new players from spoilers. Finji news, 7 May 2024 When asking, name the area and the pages already found, then ask for a gentle hint. Avoid opening a complete manual gallery or achievement list when only one answer is needed. Finji called the full printed manual "spoiler-filled" when it announced a physical edition. Finji announcement, 7 March 2023 Steam's achievement page hides the details of 31 achievements until they are unlocked, but it also offers a link that shows them all. Steam achievement list Tips for Beginners covers stamina, items and reading new manual pages.