Undertale Review

Undertale 
Developer: Toby Fox
Publisher: Toby Fox
Reviewed On: Nintendo Switch
Available On: Windows, Mac, Linux, Steam, PlayStation 4, Play Station Vita, Nintendo Switch

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As I look in the mirror, I reflect: “Despite everything, it’s still you.” This piece of dialog was stated by my character as I approach the end of the game. This profound piece of text was not what I was expecting when first booting up Undertale. Prior to playing the game, I assumed it would be a fun, light-hearted entry into the plethora of the 8-bit and 16-bit indie titles that have cropped-up in the past decade. And while Undertale does deliver incredibly enjoyable and amusing gameplay in a 16-bit inspired world, it is so much more than that.

Developed in a span of three years, Undertale was almost solely built by the game’s creator, Toby Fox. Funded via a 2013 Kickstarter, the game was released for PC and Mac in September of 2015. In these three years, Fox single-handedly developed the game’s design alongside its chiptune themed soundtrack. Now, three years after its initial release, Undertale has finally come to a Nintendo platform via the Switch.

In Undertale, you play as a self-named child who falls into the “Underground” – a surreal landscape that lies underneath the everyday world of humans. This unknown atmosphere, which is filled with talking plants, celebrity robots, and love-struck lizards, serves as the setting of your journey. Trying to escape from this unknown world back to your homeland, you encounter one-of-a kind characters and embark on an incredible journey.

Soon after starting this journey, I realized Undertale is unlike any other game I have played. This was first underscored when what I though was a battle of low consequence lead to the death of a pivotal character. This made me realize that I was not playing a typical RPG, but one where my decisions greatly impacted my story and the world in which it took place. The dynamic storylines of Undertale are truly exciting. It was only after finishing my first run-through that I found I had chosen one of many paths to completing the game.

Playing what is referred to as the” Neutral Run,” I approached my first playthrough like a typical RPG – one where you defeat enemies to level-up your stats to beat stronger, more challenging enemies later in the game. However, after completing the game, I not only found that this path was one of many, but one that I may have regretted. In addition to the Neutral Run, players can embark on what fans refer to as a Genocide or Pacifist Runs – defined by the level of brutality or mercy you bestow on the monsters you battle.

These variable playstyles and the consequences wrought from them made for enthralling gameplay, in which every decision felt urgent, impactful, and permanent. In addition to creating gripping gameplay, Undertale’s approach to RPG progression is mold-breaking. The core focus of traditional RPGs is to constantly increase your stats and battle gear to surmount future obstacles. While these stats are important in Undertale, they take a backseat to developing your inner self. Throughout the game, you must make decisions that ultimately shape your compassion, mercy, or cruelty.

In the process of defining my character, I unearthed the most enjoyable part of Undertale- it’s story. Where Undertale’s animation style is intentionally simplistic, its narrative is quite complex. While each decision you make completely alters how the story unfolds, every iteration of this story is incredibly heartfelt and reflective, touching on themes of self-preservation, kindness, and human nature. Moreover, the game’s emotional narrative does not come off as forced or preachy. Instead, it is quite self-aware, often mocking trite video game tropes, some which the game adopts itself.

As I meandered through the Underworld, I found that the game’s seemingly simplistic, yet intricate design was also applied to its battle system. Battle sequences take place in a small, square box, where you must achieve reaction-based puzzles. However, each character you encounter provides a unique take on the battle system, making every encounter feel new and exciting. When facing a muscle-bound merman, you will find yourself dodging flexing biceps, and tears when facing off against a ghost with low self-esteem.

Some of the most enjoyable moments I experience in Undertale occurred when my expectations of the RPG format were subverted, delivering something completely fresh and new. However, the game’s abandonment of RPG guidelines did produce some deficits. This is most notable in the game’s inventory system. When equipping new items to my character through the in-game menu, there was no simple way to compare my current items to those I was wanting to use, forcing me to look up each item’s info.

My review of Undertale would not be complete if I didn’t mention the soundtrack. While the game’s 16-bit atmosphere takes a minimalist approach, it was wholly engrossing. I believe this was, in-part, due to the game’s musical composition. Crafted entirely by Fox, the Undertale’s soundtrack ranges from soft, mournful melodies to upbeat, chiptune ballads. Even after completing the game, these songs are stuck in my head. In fact, I am currently listening to the soundtrack as I write.

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Final Thoughts: 

Going into Undertale, I was expecting an enjoyable and light-hearted RPG. However, the game completely usurped my expectations, turned them on their head, and poked fun at them. This self-aware, witty take on traditional RPGs created an experience like no other. Paired with a gripping storyline, enthralling battle system, and engrossing soundtrack, Undertale provided a one-of-a-kind experience that continues to bring me back for more.