Why Unicorn resembled a Tribal-class design solution

Was HMS Unicorn conceptually similar to the multi-role Tribal-class destroyers?

Yes; each was classified for one principal role but deliberately remained useful in several related fleet jobs.

The comparison is institutional rather than visual. Tribal-class ships could act as destroyer leaders, ordinary destroyers, or small-cruiser substitutes depending on the task. Unicorn was officially a forward aviation support ship but could also serve as a light carrier, maintenance ship, escort-carrier support vessel, or command platform. Both designs bought flexibility by making one hull useful across several categories.