Undertale - The Game That Turned Pacifism Into A Strategy

Undertale is a video game that took the gaming world by storm. It was released on September 15, 2015, and instantly captured the hearts of gamers everywhere. It was developed by Toby Fox, who is better known as the person who composed the music for Homestuck. Undertale is a game that subverts many common RPG tropes, leading to an experience that is both hilarious and touching.

Plot

The game opens with the player falling into a cave from the surface world, encountering creatures called “monsters” along the way. The player must make their way through the underground kingdom to get back to the surface, all while dealing with the various inhabitants and their unique personalities. What sets Undertale apart is its emphasis on choice; the player can choose to fight the monsters, or attempt to spare them.

Gameplay

Undertale’s gameplay is turn-based, like most RPGs, with a twist: instead of attacking, the player has the option to “act” on the monster. Each monster has a unique set of actions that the player can take, ranging from complimenting them to making them cry. Through these actions, the player can pacify the monsters and spare them rather than killing them. The game rewards the player for this behavior; sparing more monsters will lead to a different ending compared to killing them.

Characters

One of the most endearing parts of Undertale are the characters. Each monster has a distinct personality, and most of them are hilarious. There’s Sans, the skeleton who tells terrible puns and is really lazy, and Papyrus, his brother who aspires to join the royal guard but is not exactly intimidating. There’s also Undyne, a fish warrior who likes yelling about anime, and Alphys, an anime-obsessed lizard who helps the player on their journey.

Music

The music is undoubtedly one of Undertale’s strongest features. Toby Fox’s composition is incredibly varied, ranging from peaceful ballads to intense boss battle themes. The game’s soundtrack was so well-received that it has even been played by orchestras in live performances.

Reception

Upon release, Undertale quickly garnered a massive fanbase. Its unique gameplay and charming characters made it a fan favorite, with many praising its emphasis on pacifism. Despite some backlash for its overzealous fanbase, the game has remained popular and has inspired numerous fan works, such as comics, animations, and even a musical.

Conclusion

Undertale is a game that boldly embraces pacifism, subverting many common RPG tropes in the process. It’s a game that is just as hilarious as it is touching, with memorable characters and a fantastic soundtrack. If you’re a fan of RPGs, or just enjoy games with a unique twist, you should definitely check it out. Who knew that sparing monsters could be so entertaining?