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 beingTunic. The first few months alone are lined with experiences includingHorizon Forbidden West, Ghostwire: Tokyo, Pokemon Legends: Arceus,andElden 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.
Tunicis an isometric, top-down adventure game that was announced at E3 2018, and players immediately noticed the similarities to some entries inThe Legend of Zeldaseries. However,Tunicisn’t the only game that draws inspiration from such an esteemed franchise, as Acid Nerve’sDeath’s Doorcaptured the hearts of many upon its release in summer 2021.Death’s DoorandTunicperhaps 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,Tunichas the opportunity to benefit fromDeath’s Door’s continued success.
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The Trail That Death’s Door Blazed
Death’s Doorreleased alongside a number of independent offerings.Cris Talesarrived the very same day andThe Forgotten Cityreleased just one week after, leaving the summer of 2021 propped up by games away from the AAA space. However, whileDeath’s Doorgarnered strong critical acclaim upon its release, it wasn’t until June 21, 2025 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 makeDeath’s Doorone of this generation’s more successful indie games; one that hasmore than earned itsLegend of Zeldacomparisons.
It would be foolish to presume thatTunicwill just be a cookie-cutter copy ofDeath’s Door,or indeed of anyLegend of Zeldatitle, as its development far precedes the former title.Tuniclooks 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 2DZelda-like appetite of many,Tunic’s arrival on March 16 is primed to capitalize on people’s love ofDeath’s Door. The pair seem to share more than a few similarities, so when credits roll onDeath’s Door, the opportunity to continue withTunicpresents itself.
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Tunic Finding a Place in a Budding Genre
The top-down, isometric gameplay popularized byThe Legend of Zelda: Link’s AwakeningandA Link to the Pasthas not been short of clones. The games' popularity hasspawned aZelda-inspired genre all its own, and while many have been faithful to the formula, they often lack the charm of the Nintendo originals.Tunichas 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 inA Link to the Past), Tuniccan succeed where titles likeOceanhornfailed. Riding the wave thatDeath’s Doorestablished would be a smart way to achieve such a feat.
It is unclear ifTunicwill 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 toDeath’s Door.Thanks in-part toDeath’s Door’s critical praise, those who take advantage of the Microsoft subscription service were likely more inclined to play Acid Nerve’s game. BringingTunicto 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 theslate of games arriving in March 2022. Yet its promotional material has painted a delightful picture, and by following in the footsteps ofDeath’s Door, there’s every chance such a small game can garner a big reception.
Tunicis set to release on March 16 for PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
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