Undertale - A Game That Changes the Rules
The first time I played Undertale, I thought I knew what to expect from an RPG. Kill monsters, gain EXP, level up – that's how these games work, right? Then I spared my first enemy, and everything I thought I knew about gaming was turned upside down. This wasn't just another RPG – it was something entirely different.
Let me tell you about my first encounter with Toriel. I did what years of gaming had taught me to do: I fought back. Only after did I realize there was another way – that every encounter, even boss fights, could be resolved peacefully. That revelation changed not just how I played Undertale, but how I thought about games in general.
The bullet-hell meets turn-based RPG combat system is genius. Each enemy has unique attack patterns that tell you something about their character. And the ACT menu? Pure brilliance. I'll never forget trying to figure out how to spare each new monster – it's like solving a personality puzzle!
Every decision matters in Undertale:
- Spare or fight enemies
- How you interact with characters
- Which dialogue options you choose
- Even saving and resetting has consequences
- The game remembers EVERYTHING 😱
The cast of characters is unforgettable:
- Sans with his puns and hidden depths
- Papyrus and his spaghetti obsession
- Undyne's passionate determination
- Alphys and her adorkable personality
- Flowey... (well, you know...)
Toby Fox's soundtrack is a masterpiece. Each theme perfectly captures its character or situation:
- Megalovania (you know why!)
- Hopes and Dreams
- Death by Glamour
- Spider Dance
- And that emotional True Lab theme...
Undertale doesn't just break the fourth wall – it shatters it completely. The way it remembers your choices across playthroughs, calls out your saves and reloads, and even acknowledges when you're watching Let's Plays... it's meta-commentary done right.
The three main routes offer completely different experiences:
1. Pacifist: The true heart of the game
2. Neutral: Your first-time experience
3. Genocide: A haunting deconstruction of completionist gaming
1. Talk to everyone, multiple times
2. Save often (but remember, the game knows...)
3. Pay attention to every detail
4. Don't spoil yourself
5. Follow your heart in choices
The pixel art style is deceptively simple:
- Expressive character sprites
- Creative battle animations
- Memorable character designs
- Perfect use of limited color palettes
- Atmospheric environments
The Undertale community is something special:
- Amazing fan art and animations
- Incredible music remixes
- Thoughtful theory discussions
- Creative AUs (Alternate Universes)
- Passionate but welcoming to newcomers
1. The first Flowey encounter
2. That dinner with Sans
3. The True Lab revelations
4. The final Pacifist battle
5. Every single date sequence 💕
Undertale has influenced game design in numerous ways:
- Showing how combat can be optional
- Demonstrating the power of choice
- Proving indie games can be revolutionary
- Showing how to subvert expectations
- Making players question their gaming habits
Undertale isn't just a game – it's an experience that makes you question everything you know about gaming. Its messages about mercy, friendship, and determination remain as powerful today as when it first released.
What was your first route? Who's your favorite character? Share your Underground stories below! And remember: stay determined! ❤️
#gaming #undertale #rpg #indiegames #pixelart