Legend of Zelda-inspired adventure game Tunic has captivated players since its release on PC and Xbox in March of last year. With its intriguing gameplay and immersive world, fans have delved into the depths of the game, searching for hidden secrets and uncovering its mysteries. However, what surprised even the creator, Andrew Shouldice, was the discovery of a secret language known as Tuneic. This musical cipher-based language, which was not explicitly acknowledged in Tunic, has fascinated players, and they have unraveled its secrets quicker than anticipated.
Not only did players uncover Tuneic, but they went even further and unearthed a second secret language along with hidden developers’ rooms. These passionate players even ventured into the realm of speedrunning, pushing the boundaries of the game and breaking it in ways that the creators had never imagined were possible. The depth of their exploration astounded Shouldice and his team, as they discovered the game’s secrets at an astonishing pace.
The excitement and joy of finding secrets within Tunic have resonated with players. As Shouldice aptly puts it, “If you’ve got a big bag of secrets, and you start taking them out, eventually you get to the point where you’re looking at crumbs at the bottom, [asking yourself] ‘Is this a secret? Does this mean something?'” The creator is thrilled to see fans engaging in such in-depth secret-seeking, but he also acknowledges that Tunic is more than a mere treasure hunt. It is a personal experience for the developers themselves, creating something meaningful from their perspective.
Shouldice draws an intriguing parallel between game development and baking a cake, emphasizing that the personal touch is not necessarily meant to be shared with the players. He explains, “Let’s say you’re making a cake and you give it to someone, and they really enjoy it. And when you were making that cake, you were thinking of them, right?” For him, these hidden secrets are not assets meant for the players’ enjoyment but rather personal moments for the developers to cherish.
Kevin Regamey, the audio designer for Tunic, further emphasizes this sentiment. In a Twitter thread, he reveals the phrase that the development team used throughout the game’s creation: “content for no-one.” This phrase encapsulated the team’s approach to hidden elements in the game. They took pleasure in creating and hiding these features solely for their own gratification, without any expectation that they would be discovered by players. The possibility of these secrets remaining undiscovered was accepted, and that was perfectly okay with the creators.
Despite the dedication and hard work of fans in uncovering the secrets of Tunic, it seems that there may not be much left to discover. Shouldice tells us, “People have taken all things out of the bag, and now they’re asking questions about ‘who made the bag? What were they thinking when they made it?'” The time for uncovering secrets may have come to an end, but the journey and the memories created along the way remain forever ingrained in the hearts of the players.
In the end, Tunic is more than just a video game. It is an immersive experience that resonates with players, unveiling hidden layers that reflect the personal touch of the developers. The exploration of Tuneic and the other secret languages, as well as the discovery of hidden rooms and breaking the game through speedrunning, have added depth and excitement to the gameplay. Although the secrets may have been unveiled, the impact and joy that Tunic has brought to both players and creators will endure, solidifying its place as a beloved masterpiece in the world of adventure gaming.
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