Undertale Review: A Morality Playground in Pixel Form
This indie RPG proves you don't always have to fight to survive.
last updated Dec 29, 2023
Boasting a combat system that swings between bullet-hell dodging and emotional dialogue choices, paired with a soundtrack that can only be described as an impeccable symphonic concoction, Undertale is a testament to the power of indie game development.
A Symphony of Choices
Undertale isn't your typical walk in the pixelated park. Packed with an arsenal of choices that actually matter, this RPG rewrites the old testament of 'fight or befriend'. Each encounter with the game's quirky creature-cast can unfurl into a butterfly effect bonanza, where your moral compass isn't just tested—it's put through the wringer. The game's turn-based combat system is more than just a series of clicks; it's a complex dance of action and consequence, ensuring that whether you choose pacifism or violence, you'll be in for a unique narrative journey. Think chess meets choose-your-own-adventure, with a side of sassy humor—all wrapped up in a seemingly simple gameplay package that oozes depth.
Melodies That Stick Like Honey
Let's just service the mammoth in the room: Undertale's soundtrack is nothing short of legendary. No gamer's playlist could ever be complete without the likes of 'Megalovania' fueling their eardrums. Composer Toby Fox crafts an aural masterpiece that's so catchy, earworms around the globe don their finest top hats out of respect. Balancing charming chiptunes with emotional ballads, the enchanting score resonates with each step of the journey and manages to narrate its own story—one of hope, heartache, and head-bopping badassery. From the whimsical tunes accompanying quaint villages to the adrenaline-pumping undertow of boss encounters, earbuds and speakers the world over have found their happy place cavorting within the audio landscape of Undertale.
8-Bit Aesthetics with 10-Bit Appeal
Our graphics standards today might have blown past 8-bit realms faster than Sonic with a speed power-up, but Undertale stands firm with its charmingly retro visuals. The game's pixelated graphics are proof that beauty isn't always in the polygon count. It's in the creativity, the style, and the love poured into every sprightly sprite and brooding backdrop. Whether you're wandering through shadowy corridors or soaking in the sunlight in grassy meadows, the game manages to breathe life and personality into every frame. Performance, you ask? Silky smooth like a level 99 butter knife, ensuring that frame drops are as rare as an unmemorable Undertale character. The visuals marry seamlessly with the gameplay, reinforcing that in the right hands, pixel art is timeless.
A Few Bones to Pick
It's tough to find flaws in a game that's sparked such a passionate community, but no game is without its quirks. A handful of players have gripped about the difficulty curve resembling a rollercoaster designed by a thrill-addicted lunatic, specifically when tackling the infamous genocide route. Fierce bouts with certain bosses have tested the resilience and patience of many a gamer. However, such spikes in challenge are few and far between, serving more as rites of passage than unwarranted hurdles. It's more about learning patterns and improving rather than succumbing to frustration, and it reflects the game's overall philosophy—persevere, learn, grow. If you've got the determination, every obstacle is surmountable.
STEAM RATING
Developer & Publisher
tobyfox
Release Date
September 15, 2015
Final Verdict
Undertale might come across as a quirky, retro little game with a fondness for fonts (looking at you, Sans and Papyrus). Yet, beneath its pixel-patterned surface lies a rich narrative tapestry woven with the kind of player choice and consequence that video game philosophers could wax poetic about for eons. Boasting a combat system that swings between bullet-hell dodging and emotional dialogue choices, paired with a soundtrack that can only be described as an impeccable symphonic concoction, Undertale is a testament to the power of indie game development. For an experience that will linger long after you've logged off, let the temptation of Undertale—charming, challenging, and chocked full of substance—tug at your gamer's soul.