Undertale
Platform: PC and Mac
Price: $9.99
Time to Beat: 6-9 hours
Undertale, a highly acclaimed crowdfunded RPG, was developed and published by indie studio, Toby Fox. In the game, the protagonist is a human child who is attempting to return to the surface of the Earth after finding themselves in the monster-filled Underground. Along the way, the player will meet a cast of characters and experience a range of emotions.
One of the most unique elements of Undertale’s combat system are the options players have during battles with monsters. Players can choose to defend themselves, attack, or interact with the enemy in numerous ways — flirting, befriending, terrorizing, consoling, etc. — with a mercy option that is available to spare their lives. Each decision ultimately affects the plot and gameplay.
What makes Undertale such an endearing experience is its creative mixture of both comedy and emotion. For every character who operates in a serious manner, there is a comedic foil who provides relief in the midst of an emotional narrative. The presence of meta-comedy is also further evidence that the game operates from a position in which it doesn’t take itself entirely serious. Combine that with one of the more memorable soundtracks in gaming history, and you get one of the most satisfying play environments in recent memory.
