Overview of Undertale
Undertale is an indie role-playing game developed by Toby Fox and released in 2015. The game quickly became a cultural phenomenon due to its innovative mechanics, unique storytelling, and memorable characters. It blends humor, deep narrative choices, and emotional moments into a retro-style RPG that subverts typical game conventions. The player controls a human child who falls into the underground world of monsters, and the game offers the player a chance to either fight or befriend the monsters they encounter.
Plot Summary
Introduction
The game begins with a human child, the Player, falling into the Underground, a vast, hidden world beneath the surface. The Underground is inhabited by monsters, who were once banished there after a war with humanity. The player’s goal is to escape the Underground and return to the surface.
A key feature of the game is that the Player’s actions—whether they choose to fight monsters or act with mercy—affect the course of the story. These choices shape the narrative, the relationships with characters, and ultimately, the outcome of the game.
The main characters the Player encounters include:
- Frisk: The silent protagonist, controlled by the player.
- Flowey: A sentient, sadistic flower who serves as the first antagonist.
- Toriel: A kind monster who helps the Player early in the game.
- Sans and Papyrus: Two skeleton brothers, one lazy and humorous (Sans) and the other eager to prove himself (Papyrus).
- Undyne: A passionate and fierce fish-like warrior.
- Alphys: A shy, nerdy scientist monster.
- Mettaton: A robotic star with a flair for drama.
- Asgore Dreemurr: The king of the monsters.
- Asriel Dreemurr: Asgore’s son, whose backstory is central to the game’s emotional weight.
Gameplay Mechanics
Undertale is a turn-based RPG that has traditional RPG elements, such as combat, exploration, and puzzles. However, the game features an innovative system for combat:
- Combat: In battles, the player has the option to either attack or act. During combat, the player can interact with the enemy in non-violent ways. This can involve activities like complimenting, befriending, or showing mercy to the monster. This system allows for peaceful resolutions rather than killing.
- Mercy and Pacifist Route: Instead of always fighting, the player can choose to spare monsters. This leads to the “Pacifist” route, where the player befriends everyone they meet. It’s possible to finish the game without killing anyone, leading to the happiest ending.
- Neutral Route: The default path where the player may kill some monsters but not others. The decisions in this route lead to various outcomes, based on the player’s actions throughout the game.
- Genocide Route: If the player deliberately kills every monster they encounter, they enter the “Genocide” route, which leads to a darker and more tragic ending.
- Exploration and Puzzles: In addition to combat, players explore the Underground, solving puzzles, meeting various characters, and uncovering secrets that shed light on the monsters’ world.
Major Character Breakdown
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Flowey:
- Flowey is the first character the Player meets. Initially, he appears to be an innocent and helpful character, but he soon reveals his cruel and manipulative nature. He is an embodiment of the game’s central theme: the impact of choices. Flowey’s ultimate goal is to collect all the souls in the Underground, gaining immense power to destroy the world. His story arc is tied to the Player’s decisions and their relationships with other characters.
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Toriel:
- Toriel is the first true ally the Player meets in the Underground. She is a motherly figure, protective and caring, and serves as a tutorial for many of the game’s mechanics. Toriel is pivotal in the game’s emotional storytelling, and the Player can choose to leave her behind or return to save her.
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Sans and Papyrus:
- These two skeleton brothers provide both comic relief and moments of seriousness. Papyrus is earnest but naive, while Sans is a laid-back but perceptive character who has deep knowledge about the Player’s choices. Their interactions with the Player depend on the route they take, with Sans being one of the major figures in the Genocide route.
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Undyne:
- Undyne is a brave and passionate warrior who leads the Royal Guard. She is a central figure in the Neutral and Pacifist routes and has a fierce determination to protect her people. Her character arc is a journey of friendship and growth, particularly in the Pacifist route, where she shifts from an enemy to an ally.
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Alphys:
- Alphys is a shy, introverted scientist with a secretive and often awkward personality. She plays a significant role in the Pacifist route, where her character develops alongside the Player’s interactions with her. She struggles with self-esteem and has a complicated history with another character, Mettaton.
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Mettaton:
- A flashy robot star who provides a lot of the game’s humor and drama. Mettaton is an entertainer with a larger-than-life personality, and his interactions with the Player often involve dramatic confrontations. His character is crucial in the Neutral and Pacifist routes.
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Asgore Dreemurr:
- The king of the monsters, Asgore is a tragic figure caught in the middle of a decades-long war between humans and monsters. His choices shape much of the game’s final arc, and his relationship with his son, Asriel, is deeply intertwined with the story.
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Asriel Dreemurr:
- Asgore’s son, Asriel, has a tragic backstory that is central to the game’s emotional weight. Asriel’s fate and the revelation of his past are what drive the game’s climactic moments.
Endings
The game offers three major routes based on the Player’s actions:
1. Pacifist Route
- In the Pacifist route, the Player spares every monster they encounter. By doing so, they form relationships with the characters and ultimately prevent the war between humans and monsters. This leads to the best possible ending, where the Player restores peace and allows monsters to live freely. The true final boss in this route is Asriel Dreemurr, who is resurrected through the player’s actions.
- True Pacifist Ending: The Player and the monsters return to the surface, and the Player has the chance to reconnect with the characters. This is the happiest ending, full of hope and reconciliation.
2. Neutral Route
- The Neutral route occurs when the Player kills some monsters but not all of them. There are many variations of the Neutral route, depending on which monsters the Player kills. The ending of this route can be bittersweet or tragic, and certain characters may end up alive or dead, depending on the Player’s choices.
- Ending Variations: Some characters may remain trapped in the Underground, or the Player might see a world divided. The choices made throughout the game impact the narrative’s tone, with more somber and unresolved endings.
3. Genocide Route
- The Genocide route involves deliberately killing every monster encountered throughout the game, which eventually leads to the Player being pursued by an increasingly hostile and powerful set of enemies, including Sans. In this route, the Player’s actions have significant consequences on the world, and the Player becomes the ultimate antagonist, leading to a darker and more destructive ending.
- Ending: In the Genocide ending, the Player kills the final character, and the world is left in ruins. Sans provides an emotional and intense final battle, and the ultimate outcome is the extinction of all monsters.
Themes and Symbolism
- Choice and Consequences: The game revolves around the idea that the Player’s actions (whether they kill or spare monsters) have far-reaching consequences. It explores themes of morality, redemption, and the impact of one’s choices.
- Friendship and Family: Much of the game is about the relationships the Player forms with the monsters. The bonds of friendship and the importance of family are central, especially with characters like Toriel, Undyne, and Asriel.
- Identity and Power: Undertale also examines themes of self-worth and the abuse of power. Characters like Flowey and Asriel represent different sides of these themes, as they struggle with their identities and the consequences of their actions.
- Human vs. Monster: At its core, the game is a commentary on the nature of conflict between humans and monsters. It explores the cycle of hatred and the potential for breaking that cycle through empathy and understanding.
Reception and Legacy
Undertale received critical acclaim for its innovative mechanics, emotional storytelling, and the depth of its characters.
The impact of Undertale continues to resonate with gamers and creators, making it a landmark title in gaming history.
Undertale is widely regarded as a masterpiece for several reasons. It stands out not only as a game but as a unique and innovative experience in the world of video games. Here are some of the key factors that make Undertale a masterpiece:
1. Innovative Gameplay Mechanics
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Choice-Driven Combat:
- Undertale redefines traditional RPG combat by giving players the choice between violence and pacifism. Instead of forcing players to defeat enemies through battle, the game allows players to spare them, interact with them, and learn about their personalities. This system of mercy and dialogue is not just a unique mechanic; it alters how players approach the game. It makes combat feel meaningful and emphasizes empathy over violence, which is rarely seen in games, especially RPGs.
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Impact of Choices:
- The consequences of your decisions are felt deeply throughout the game, and the story adapts based on your actions. Whether you choose to kill or spare monsters, the world reacts accordingly. This dynamic creates a more personalized experience for each player, leading to different storylines and endings. The game rewards you for taking the time to understand and befriend the characters, making the consequences of your choices feel significant.
2. Deep and Emotional Storytelling
- Exploration of Morality: Undertale challenges traditional RPG tropes, such as good vs. evil. The game doesn’t just present a simple “hero vs. villain” narrative. Instead, it asks players to confront their own moral compass, forcing them to make tough decisions about violence, mercy, and empathy. The game’s various routes—Pacifist, Neutral, and Genocide—are all shaped by these moral choices. The ultimate questions Undertale poses are about the power of compassion, the consequences of hatred, and whether it’s possible to break destructive cycles.
- Character Development: Each character in Undertale is richly developed, with unique personalities, motivations, and backstories. You grow attached to them, and this attachment makes your interactions with them impactful. Characters like Toriel, Undyne, Papyrus, and Flowey stand out as some of the most memorable in gaming. The characters’ depth and relatability elevate the emotional stakes of the game, particularly when their fates depend on the player’s actions.
3. Narrative and Themes
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Subversion of Expectations:
- From the very beginning, Undertale plays with and subverts players’ expectations. The game starts like a typical RPG with a hero descending into a dungeon, but it quickly challenges the norms of the genre. Characters may speak directly to the player, breaking the fourth wall, or the game itself will comment on your choices in ways that make you question the mechanics of the game. This meta-narrative aspect is part of what makes Undertale so distinctive.
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Themes of Life, Death, and Identity:
- Undertale grapples with big philosophical and emotional questions. It explores concepts like the value of life (both human and monster), the consequences of our actions, and how we shape our identity. The way it ties gameplay choices to deep, meaningful themes makes it feel like more than just a game—it becomes an introspective experience.
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The Power of Forgiveness and Redemption:
- A core theme in Undertale is the potential for redemption and forgiveness. The Pacifist route, where you show mercy and kindness to your enemies, reinforces the idea that people (or monsters) are not defined by their worst actions. The game urges players to see beyond the surface level, to understand the complexities of others, and to offer forgiveness where it’s due.
4. Rich Art and Music Design
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Pixel Art with Heart:
- Undertale uses a simple 8-bit pixel art style that evokes nostalgia for retro games. Despite its minimalism, the art is highly expressive and visually distinct. Each monster and environment is crafted with care, and the art complements the game’s tone—whether it’s whimsical, somber, or dramatic.
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Iconic Music:
- The soundtrack, composed by Toby Fox, is one of the standout features of Undertale. The music is not just catchy but incredibly emotional, complementing the gameplay and story in ways that heighten the player’s emotional connection. Tracks like “Megalovania,” “Hopes and Dreams,” and “Once Upon a Time” are not only iconic but add an extra layer of depth to the narrative. The music also adapts based on the route you take, making it more personal and resonant.
5. Emotional Impact and Replayability
- Tugging at Heartstrings: Undertale is one of the few games that can leave players feeling genuinely emotional. Whether it’s the heartbreaking moments in the Pacifist route or the haunting consequences of the Genocide route, the game makes players reflect on their actions and the relationships they’ve built with the characters. The emotional weight of your choices—especially in the Genocide route—hits hard and lingers long after the game ends.
- Replayability: Undertale is designed to be replayed. The different routes offer new experiences, with unique characters, encounters, and endings. It’s the kind of game that encourages players to see how their choices affect the world, making it highly replayable. Each playthrough offers new perspectives, allowing the player to fully explore the narrative’s complexities.
6. The Power of Humor and Heart
- Comedy with Depth: The game balances its heavy themes with moments of humor and lightheartedness. Characters like Papyrus and Sans provide comic relief, while the dialogue and interactions are clever and often break the fourth wall. This blend of humor and emotion makes the serious moments feel even more impactful. The game’s ability to make you laugh and cry in equal measure is a testament to its emotional range.
- A Personal Connection: Undertale is one of those games that makes you feel like you’re not just playing, but participating in a story. It pulls you in with its unique tone, memorable characters, and meaningful choices. By the end, you feel a personal connection to the world and its inhabitants, whether you’ve chosen to protect them or destroy them.
Conclusion: Undertale as a Masterpiece
Ultimately, Undertale is a masterpiece because it pushes the boundaries of what a video game can be. It takes risks with its gameplay, narrative, and themes, and it succeeds in creating an experience that is both deeply emotional and thought-provoking. It challenges players to reflect on their actions, the consequences of those actions, and the humanity (or monstrosity) that lies within us all.
It’s a game that stays with you long after you’ve finished it, one that sparks conversation and reflection. Undertale is not just a game—it’s a journey of empathy, choice, and consequence that resonates with players on a deeply personal level. And for all these reasons, it’s rightly considered a modern classic and a true masterpiece of the medium.