Ok - explain Tunic to me

[Captain Keen]

Obviously, I'm just bad at the game. This has to do with A) being ancient (I watched the stars ignite in the sky, I saw the mountains rise from the sea), but also that this isn't my kind of game *at all*. I play this because my 3yo finds it amusing to watch.

For the same reason, I need to improve my play, because doing the same bits over and over again are less fun for him.

So ... there's no healing mechanic other than potions and shrines? So basically, my 3 potions need to last me until I reach the next shrine?

What does the focus thing do? Just lock me onto one enemy?

What are the silly things I find that seem to have no function? Like .. pottery shards?

What else do I need to know to suck slightly less? =)

[Perseus]

Originally posted by Captain Keen:

So ... there's no healing mechanic other than potions and shrines? So basically, my 3 potions need to last me until I reach the next shrine?

Not really and basically yes.

Originally posted by Captain Keen:

What does the focus thing do? Just lock me onto one enemy?

Yes. It's useful because you always face that enemy, and attacks will always be directed at that enemy.

Originally posted by Captain Keen:

What are the silly things I find that seem to have no function? Like .. pottery shards?

If you mean the yellow things, it's money.

Originally posted by Captain Keen:

What else do I need to know to suck slightly less? =)

I'm not currently sure how to be more specific without being spoilery, but i imagine other people will offer advice as well :
Experiment;
Use your items;
Try to understand what some of the manual's pages are trying to tell you¹;
Use patience when fighting enemies;
Keep an eye on your stamina bar;
Keep an eye out for secrets and shortcuts. The perspective can hide many secrets and some shortcuts, so it's useful to consider what might lie behind what you can see.

¹To be clear, i'm not telling you to translate the language, you don't need to do that to understand most of what the manual says.



One last thing : If you want, the game does have options to change the difficulty, though unless some stuff has been added i don't know about, you can't customize it all that much. You can :
-Make the game easier in general by *i think* making enemy patterns simpler/slower?
-Remove the stamina limitations.
-Turn on No Fail mode.

[WonderSparks]

There's a lot of ways you can improve how you play Tunic, be that a matter of "getting good" or by simply toggling certain options, as Perseus suggested; honestly, if this isn't your kind of game, and neither you nor your kid have a problem with it, I'd highly recommend turning on No Fail mode so you can experience the game without worry of getting your butt cratered every five seconds lol

But yes, to reiterate, there's a lot of learning involved in getting "good" at Tunic--enemy patterns, where things are and how to get to them, particularly how to get through certain areas with as little resistance as possible--and some of it will probably come to you in time. Provided you have time to give it.
But certainly don't be afraid of asking for some guidance/tips! There's a lot to take in, and I can understand having apprehension regarding trying out your consumable items just to see what they do, among other things. Since Tunic explains very little to you, you're left to your own devices as to trying to figure out what does what; some of it's pretty clear, depending on which pages of the manual you have, sometimes you don't even need the manual and can get a good idea just by looking at the item in question, but some things can be pretty obtuse. Ultimately, patience is perhaps your greatest tool for success in this big world!

[Captain Keen]

Thanks for the input so far.

What do wells do? Apparently nothing.
What do the small tuning forks do? Also nothing, it seems.

[WonderSparks]

Originally posted by Captain Keen:

What do wells do? Apparently nothing.

Nothing at first, but don't worry, they do have a use! Don't forget to make a wish!

Originally posted by Captain Keen:

What do the small tuning forks do? Also nothing, it seems.

Those also have a use!
Everything will become more clear in time, just keep going and you'll probably find out~!

[Waffle Washer]

Originally posted by Captain Keen:

Thanks for the input so far.

What do wells do? Apparently nothing.
What do the small tuning forks do? Also nothing, it seems.

All things have a use in this game. And just about every path you walk has or is a puzzle.
The game can be confusing and frustrating at first, but once it "clicks" your mind will be blown. It's kind of like a hallucinogen. I can't really explain it to you, you just kind of have to experience yourself.

[Sammun Mak]

Tunic is a hard game combat-wise (that's what you're experiencing) but it's an even harder game in terms of slowly figuring out things. A small example of that is what the well is for. It's up to you if you think that's worth your time, but the people in this forum will tell you this is a very unique top-tier gaming experience if you play it on its own terms of figuring things out yourself.

[Aumires]

Originally posted by Captain Keen:

So ... there's no healing mechanic other than potions and shrines? So basically, my 3 potions need to last me until I reach the next shrine?

What are the silly things I find that seem to have no function? Like .. pottery shards?

These two are related. Get a couple more. You can also find whole potions.
The empty square in your menu can be filled with something sorta helpful eventually too.

Other silly things have different functions though and you will know soon enough what is it, but as you would expect, will make you stronger in some way.

Originally posted by Captain Keen:

What else do I need to know to suck slightly less? =)

Read the manual. No, for real, and I don't mean any offense. You really, truly, need to check the manual, each and every time you get a page.

[Gness Erquint]

I get an impression that doesn't gel with the kinds of advice you guys are giving gramps here.

Lemme ask clarifying questions to OP:
Are you stumped?
Do you have your aim set on a known objective?
Are you failing to get to a destination you identified or do you find yourself aimless with nowhere apparent to go?

I probably won't remember to revisit the thread, so I'll just suggest that if gramps sounds confuddled regarding these questions: perhaps drop the spoiler-guarding, since the whole game is one big clump of spoilers — it's a learning game.
The gramps' aim seems to be to entertain a 3yo, not to figure out the artfully crafted mysteries.

Disregard if my impression is wrong. And I wish all the giggles in the world to the kid.

[Captain Keen]

Originally posted by Gness Erquint:

I get an impression that doesn't gel with the kinds of advice you guys are giving gramps here.

Lemme ask clarifying questions to OP:
Are you stumped?
Do you have your aim set on a known objective?
Are you failing to get to a destination you identified or do you find yourself aimless with nowhere apparent to go?

I probably won't remember to revisit the thread, so I'll just suggest that if gramps sounds confuddled regarding these questions: perhaps drop the spoiler-guarding, since the whole game is one big clump of spoilers — it's a learning game.
The gramps' aim seems to be to entertain a 3yo, not to figure out the artfully crafted mysteries.

Disregard if my impression is wrong. And I wish all the giggles in the world to the kid.

No, your impression is spot on. The point here is to make the game entertaining for my son to watch (also, hey - who are you calling gramp? I'm a father, not a grandfather). So, he get's bored real quick if I run around looking for answers and solutions. What I really need is a way to make the game faster. He wants stuff happening, new areas unfolding, and so on.

So give no regard to my enjoyment of the mysteries of the game - spoil me rotten. The whole point here is to make junior giggle, and give me an easy tool for us to do stuff together. Rather than dragging him down from the curtains all the time.

[WonderSparks]

Originally posted by Captain Keen:

So give no regard to my enjoyment of the mysteries of the game - spoil me rotten. The whole point here is to make junior giggle, and give me an easy tool for us to do stuff together. Rather than dragging him down from the curtains all the time.

Fair enough! In that case... let there be more direct answers (and other things)!

Originally posted by Captain Keen:

So ... there's no healing mechanic other than potions and shrines? So basically, my 3 potions need to last me until I reach the next shrine?

You'll occasionally find red shards in treasure chests, three of them makes a new flask, if you haven't already figured that out yourself!

Originally posted by Captain Keen:

What do wells do? Apparently nothing.
What do the small tuning forks do? Also nothing, it seems.

The wells are used specifically to expand your equipment capacity--those cards you've likely been picking up fit into the square slot(s) in your inventory--by tossing the coins you find into the well (use the coin while facing a well)
The tuning forks are primarily used as grapple points for an item you find in the ruined atoll, deep in the Frog's Domain. I hear there's another use for them, but I've yet to figure it out, myself lol


There's also plenty of stuff hidden behind terrain and things, thanks to the camera angle, as well as often behind waterfalls. One item in particular I find to be very useful is the muffling bell, located behind a waterfall near the end of the underground segment on your way into the eastern fortress; it makes it harder for enemies to detect you, making combat easier to avoid (or making surprise attacks easier).
Also, if you haven't already found it, there's a magic-based projectile weapon up at the top-left side of the overworld, in front of the golden obelisk you've likely seen on your map (you did pick that page of the manual up, right?). This thing is really good at dealing with certain enemy types; the fairies you fight in the west garden die in one hit, while the scavengers in the quarry (located behind the mountain, considered to be the final area) die in three hits, I've found.


Hope that helps!