Undertale

2D RPG turned cult classic

Undertale is a premium role-playing game from Toby Fox. This indie game puts you in control of a child who has fallen into the Underground, a different realm beneath the surface of the Earth. To put a unique twist, you can choose to fight enemies or simply avoid them, with your actions in the game affecting the story.

The game’s writing, cast of characters, and unique combat mechanics have made Undertale a cult classic. The visuals in this game are reminiscent of old-school games like Wordle NES, but with darker themes comparable to The Binding of Isaac or Fear & Hunger.

Survive and escape from the Underground

Undertale is set in the Underground where monsters were banished after a war with humans. The unnamed player character is a human child who accidentally fell into this realm, tasked with finding a way out. Along the way are various encounters with monsters, giving you two options. You can either use the Level of Violence (LV), or LOVE, to kill the monsters or try to survive encounters without killing.

The player’s decisions determine the ending. As for the game, it offers a wide variety of symbols and references, drawing from classic video games like Final Fantasy to modern internet culture items such as memes. The combat system is also unique in the way that it involves dodging bullet hell attacks from the monsters. This raises the general difficulty level of the game.

Still, there are parts of the game that are considered divisive. For one, the game is mostly pixelated 2D, with a good chunk of the game using solid colors that give that dated appeal. Additionally, the game is already generally challenging, with difficulty spikes that are equally frustrating and rewarding. Add an attempt where the player doesn’t kill anyone, and you have an exceptionally difficult game.

A unique yet memorable indie title

Undertale, a game set in the Underground, challenges players to find a way out while navigating encounters with monsters. Choices between violence and mercy influence the ending, creating a unique experience. The game blends classic video game references with modern culture, featuring a distinct combat system with challenging "bullet hell" attacks. Despite its divisive pixelated graphics and difficulty spikes, the game offers a deeply rewarding and memorable adventure.