On the surface, Tunic's fun art style and engaging tone bear a striking resemblance to The Legend of Zelda series. But hidden beneath that cheery, charming exterior lies a game that will test your resolve: the seemingly warm and welcoming world of Tunic is teeming with enemies who will try to beat you down. I am ready to die. A lot.

There is little storytelling, save for an abrupt opening in which a fox friend washes up on the beach. And what little plotting there is in The Tunic is intentionally vague. The world's broad mystery is a nice addition to the game rather than a compelling reason to play it. Simply delving into the fascinating environment, battling the obnoxious inhabitants, and uncovering the many layers is a fascinating story in itself. This beautifully constructed isometric world is nothing short of a joy to explore. Both the overworld and the dungeons are intricately designed and varied environments. Some are filled with dangerous obstacles, such as life-destroying goop, while others offer treasures, shortcuts, and easy paths to follow.

As is typical of metroidvania, reaching certain areas requires the right tools and abilities. Many of the game's locations can be explored directly from the beach, but the difficulty or lack of equipment prevents one from deviating too far from the game's intended path. For example, one can reach the Dark Tomb early in the game, but it is difficult to tackle the skeletons and spiky pits without finding a lantern. I enjoyed expanding my inventory and revisiting areas to obtain previously inaccessible treasures.

While the green costumes and simple sword and shield may make the anthropomorphic fox in the tunic seem like a fluffy red link, many of the game's mechanics are straight out of the "Souls" series. Strange statues are places to replenish health potions and magic, but they also respawn enemies. When you die, you drop gold, and you must return to where you fell to regain your lost riches. Touching a fallen gold nugget triggers a range-of-effect attack that damages the enemy and pushes it back. It takes a significant amount of cash not only to buy items, but also to level up. With each level up, this foxy hero seems to gain momentum.

There is a sense of meaningful progress in expanding the arsenal of weapons, such as bombs and magic. Other weapons, however, are of limited use, leaving the player to rely on his trusty sword to defeat the game's enemies. Battles require careful timing and use of stamina, dodging between enemy blows and timing your attacks. The enemy will not take it easy on you just because you are flustered. The enemy must be willing to kick his tail and make it back to the last checkpoint. Each of Tunic's enemies is well designed and varied throughout. The fast and agile crocodiles can do a lot of damage when caught in the jaws, and the fairies are floating pieces of wall that use their blast ability to freeze you in place.

In terms of combat, the real highlight is the boss fight. You won't have much time to appreciate its artistry as you dodge powerful slam attacks and escape devastating lasers, but every encounter is a spectacle. Struggle against a powerful foe for the umpteenth time, and you'll find yourself shouting things that don't fit Tunick's innocent tone. It takes patience, but is great fun to tackle.

Some games painstakingly explain the ins and outs of the mechanics before letting you roam freely around the world, but Tunic does not. The most important lesson will probably be learned after the cubs have spent a long time in a hopelessly lost state. The first few pieces are easily discarded, but they will soon realize their importance. If you're not sure where to go next or need guidance on how a particular mechanic works, it's all there on the beautifully crafted pages if you look carefully enough. The manual itself is like a puzzle, and its cryptic design is a clever way to explore the inner workings of the game. This makes it more engaging than a traditional tutorial.

Tunic's shortcomings are thankfully as small as its fuzzy protagonist. All of its offensive abilities can only be mapped to three buttons, which is fine at first, but quite limiting when you want to use its array of consumables along with swords and magic in combat. Occasionally, when moving between areas, isometric levels take longer than expected for this type of game to load. In addition, enemies sporadically tear through the environment, and flying enemies often retreat until they are just out of sword reach, which can be incredibly frustrating until ranged magic attacks can be used.

Though inspired by many great games, "Tunic" has its own uniqueness and flair. Its simple, colorful graphic style and emphasis on old-fashioned fun make for an undeniably engaging experience. At the same time, the contrasting challenges add to the immersion and satisfaction that make this captivating adventure one you won't soon forget.