Turnip Boy Commits Tax Evasion was released in April 2021 and is an action-adventure indie game that draws inspiration from the Legend of Zelda series, particularly A Link to the Past. As its title suggests, the game doesn’t take itself too seriously; and it also doesn’t overstay its welcome, taking only a couple of hours to complete.
The game was warmly received by critics, exemplified by its solid 74 Metascore on Nintendo Switch, and it has recently been added to Microsoft’s Game Pass subscription service. Given its short length, funny dialogue, and encapsulating soundtrack, the game is worth trying for Game Pass subscribers. For players who are planning to dive into the comedy adventure, we’ve listed some useful tips.
7 Talk To Everyone
Throughout Turnip Boy Commits Tax Evasion’s adventure, players will meet a plethora of NPCs who can be spoken to. The NPCs aren’t just for show, as many of them give players side quests that often provide rewards like hearts and hats.
Moreover, one of Turnip Boy Commits Tax Evasion’s biggest strengths is its humor, which most commonly shines through dialogue. So, to get the most out of the short adventure, it’s worth speaking to every NPC in the game.
6 Rip Up Every Tax Document
As one would expect from the title, the world of Turnip Boy Commits Tax Evasion is littered with tax documents. Thankfully, players aren’t tasked with filling these out or paying them; they just have the glorious task of ripping them to shreds.
Ripping tax documents isn’t only for personal satisfaction; it also provides players with achievements. Furthermore, players who find and tear every single one are rewarded with a secret boss fight and ending.
5 Make A Physical Note Of Side Quest Information
Given how small of a game Turnip Boy Commits Tax Evasion is, it’s understandable that there’s no world map or mini-map. Not only would mini-maps and waypoints feel excessive in a game with such a tiny map, but it would also take away the rewarding feeling of exploration - a topic that has been widely discussed since the release of FromSoftware’s Elden Ring.
Despite the game’s short length and small map, it’s still worth making a physical note of side quests and their locations, as it’s deceivingly easy to miss-remember where a specific NPC is after finding their requested item.
4 Don’t Miss The Heart Fruit
One of the many similarities that Turnip Boy Commits Tax Evasion has to the Legend of Zelda franchise is that the game rewards players with a full health heart for completing a “dungeon.”
However, obtaining the heart isn’t as easy as just walking into it like in The Legend of Zelda, as it first needs to be watered. After beating one of the game’s bosses, be sure to look for a yellow, heart-shaped plant, as watering it will reward the player with a new heart.
3 Read Signs And Books
Sign and book reading is far from the most enthralling gameplay mechanic, which is why it's frustrating for players when they take the time to read one, only for it to have pointless information. It also conditions players to skip reading them in other games, which is unfortunate for those that offer genuinely good guidance or provide world-building insight.
Turnip Boy Commits Tax Evasion has plenty of helpful and interesting information in its books and signs, so players should take the time to read every one that they come across.
2 Head To The Options If You’re Struggling
While most experienced action-adventure players won’t have too much trouble with the enemies and bosses in Turnip Boy Commits Tax Evasion, difficulty in gaming is, of course, subjective.
Consequently, players who don’t like a challenge in their games may initially be disheartened to see that there isn’t a standard easy/medium/hard selection at the start of the game. However, if players pause the game, they will find an option to significantly increase their attack strength, and a “God Mode” option that makes the player invincible.
Struggling players shouldn’t feel bad for enabling either of the options because, as the game says itself, “Turnip Boy was made to be played by as many people as possible!”
1 Don’t Rush
As alluded to before, Turnip Boy Commits Tax Evasion is a short game. In fact, many players will see the final credits roll after just a couple of hours, while beating the game 100% is only likely to take another hour or so.
Consequently, players shouldn’t feel the need to beeline straight to the final boss, as the game will be over before they know it. Instead, to get the most out of the game, players should take the time to fully explore each area, complete every side quest, and speak to every NPC. Unlike many AAA games released today, beating Turnip Boy Commits Tax Evasion 100% isn’t a time sink that will start to drag.
Turnip Boy Commits Tax Evasion is out now for PC, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch.