Undertale
Mar 16, 2021 5 years ago
A small child falls into the Underground, where monsters have long been banished by humans and are hunting every human that they find. The player controls the child as they try to make it back to the Surface through hostile environments, all the while engaging with a turn-based combat system with puzzle-solving and bullet hell elements, as well as other unconventional game mechanics.
What it’s like
Undertale is a deconstruction of the traditional RPG that prioritizes empathy over violence. You navigate a surreal underground world where every encounter offers a choice: fight or spare. The combat is a unique hybrid of turn-based strategy and bullet-hell evasion, but its true depth lies in its narrative consequences. The game remembers your actions across playthroughs, breaking the fourth wall to create a meta-commentary on player agency and moral responsibility. With sharp, satirical writing and an unforgettable soundtrack that blends retro chiptunes with emotional ballads, it crafts a tone that shifts seamlessly from whimsical comedy to psychological horror. It is less about mechanical mastery and more about how you treat the world and its inhabitants, rewarding kindness with profound emotional resonance and challenging cynicism through its structural design.
Strong in Atmosphere / MoodAudio / MusicCharactersStory / NarrativeWriting / DialogueExploration / WorldGameplay / MechanicsPacingPolish / PerformanceProgression / ReplayabilityVisuals / Art
Keep in mind The combat system can feel repetitive or overly punishing for players who prefer fast-paced action or traditional turn-based tactics. Additionally, the heavy reliance on meta-narrative elements may alienate those who prefer immersive worlds without fourth-wall-breaking interruptions.
AI-generated from catalog data, informed by reviews from ign.com, reddit.com, rpgfan.com, gamersnexus.net, metacritic.com.
Screenshots
Releases
| Platform | Region | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mac | Worldwide | Full release | Sep 15, 201511 years ago |
| PC (Microsoft Windows) | Worldwide | Full release | Sep 15, 201511 years ago |
| Linux | Worldwide | Full release | Jul 17, 201610 years ago |
| PlayStation 4 | Worldwide | Full release | Aug 15, 20179 years ago |
| PlayStation Vita | Worldwide | Full release | Aug 15, 20179 years ago |
| Nintendo Switch | Worldwide | Full release | Sep 18, 20188 years ago |
| Xbox One | Worldwide | Full release | Mar 16, 20215 years ago |
