Undertale (PC, PS4, Switch) & Deltarune (PC DEMO)

[Pompadour]

Official Steam Page

I checked around to see if there was a thread made for this yet, but to my surprise, there wasn't one! That's okay though, better late than never!

Undertale is an RPG made "mostly by one person" by the name of Toby Fox, a guy previously known for his "Earthbound Halloween Hack" among the Mother fanbase, and his music compositions for the giant webcomic Homestuck. For the past several years Fox has spent time working on Undertale, releasing a demo just a few years ago that met with very positive feedback. A kickstarter later, and a few updates here and there, Undertale finally released Sept. 15th, and has so far received many, many positive reviews.

The story is about a young child who falls into a giant cavern inhabited by monsters and other oddities. After being rescued by the kind and motherly goat Toriel, you start off your journey to find a way to escape back to the surface. As you play, you learn just what kind of monsters live undergound, and what kind of dangers await for your human soul...

The game as a whole takes a pretty wild spin on the RPG formula, especially with its battle system. It's the traditional turn-based battle style, but combined with a bullet hell. Each enemy has its own unique attack pattern, and some take a bigger learning curve than others depending on how you play. You are also provided with two choices on how to fight: to kill, or to spare. Each option provides their own set of advantages and challenges, and even hold a major effect on the story itself. It's something you can experiment with and find out just what you can do, and what are the consequences for those actions.
(Though I'm a bit of a weenie and stuck with an all-pacifist playthrough. But learning how to reason/befriend your enemies was worth it. But that's just me. )

It's also clear Undertale has some very deep Earthbound-inspired roots. The dialogue is very self aware and quirky, going all out in its level of goofiness... and can easily turn intense and downright scary at any moment with heaps of heartbreak in between. However, the game definitely takes these roots and makes something original and memorable out of it, with colorful characters and settings, and scenes that are bound to bring out a chuckle or two.

For me, I absolutely love this game, haha. I never even bothered with the demo years back, so I may have a different perspective from those who did, but... MAN. Undertale was great. I love the music, the settings, the characters... this was a pleasant surprise for me, and I am very happy I got the chance to play it. Not to say I don't have some nitpicks of course. Some moments can be a little over the top to the point it's a bit cheesy (at least in my opinion), and many important details about the plot may be hard to find, or found in a way that I personally don't have the guts to go through. The Bullet Hell stuff might be fun, or INFURIATING to others, and I can't blame them at all if they don't like it... but overall, great game. I can't wait to see what other secrets people might find as they explore some more!

Also, you get to date a skeleton.

And it's great.

Has anyone else played Undertale yet? Or want to? Feel free to talk about it here!

-

~--Pompadour's Fancy 2018 Update--~

Three years after Undertale's initial release, the official Undertale Twitter unexpectedly - and cryptically - announced something brand new happening in the Undertale universe. On Halloween day we got our answer, and it's Deltarune! A story connected to Undertale, but indirectly so. How does it differ from the first game, and where does it all tie in (if it really ties in at all)? Well, you can find out by playing the official Demo!

https://www.deltarune.com/

I'll spare story details, as I feel it's best to experience it on your own. As for the gameplay, Deltarune takes Undertale's known features and spices it up even more; some things are familliar, other things may take some getting used to, but overall I feel like it's a natural evolution from the first game. For a demo, it's quite a meaty one, and should provide a good amount of play time, and plenty of speculation for those really into that kind of thing. We got all the time to wonder and speculate, considering the full game may not be finished for many years... and I sure wish Toby the best. Here's hoping his potential team can help ease the weight of such a hefty project!

[Celestia]

I have sadly only played the demo, and don't really have the money to spare to get the game right now. It's a shame because this game is right up my alley. T_T Fortunately I've managed to avoid major spoilers so far, hopefully I'll be able to get the game soon.

My favourite thing about the game is that you simply don't have to fight anyone. I'm definitely going to go for an all-pacifist run, it sounds a lot more fun than just monotonously killing everything like you usually would in an RPG (and most games in general). Plus it was a lot more fun reasoning with / befriending the enemies in the demo. It's a really neat concept.

Edited September 20, 2015 by Celestia

[Pompadour]

About a month later, and the game continues to hold the spot as the highest rated PC game on Metacritic, graced with straight 100s from the likes of Destructoid, Giant Bomb, Jim Sterling, and several others. Granted the game DOES get a bit of an unfair advantage by having only 16 reviews, but It's great a game like this can receive such praise, especially up against titles like MGSV! Save for that one site that gave Undertale a 65, but I guess that'll happen at some point :V

Meanwhile, fans have been quick to find as many secrets as they can within the game, experimenting with the multiple paths the game provides, and even going as far as altering the game's data. And boy, they found a LOT. Several unused songs, unused graphics, and even a character that never appears in-game.... and MAN it's almost creepypasta in nature. You can read more about the character here if you'd like! Be wary of spoilers, of course. But man, what a thing to find. Hope we can get more insight on these mysteries! (Especially since people are already writing fanfics about this guy, haha)

Besides that, who else has played/beaten the game yet? Hope you can get the game soon too Celestia! If you haven't already, that is. : O

[Emperor Robrainiac]

Funny that this topic pops up right after I beat the game! 

Upon first glance, I nearly passed it up, thinking "Oh look, yet another Earthbound/Yume Nikki-esque RPG. Yippie." I can't remember how or why I found it, but I ended up watching a video of a "date" with one of the characters, and I laughed my ass off. I ended up changing my mind, and bought the game a few days ago. 

Boy, I don't regret the purchase, not one bit. This is definitely a game that makes you question your choices... Me, I ended up killing two characters and I felt really bad for doing so after the battle... Poor Toriel...

The combat is very unique... I'd say if you have the right skills, you could probably go through a boss fight with little to no damage... I can't say I've ever done that, but I can say that the uniqueness of the combat system kept me from getting frustrated and annoyed when fighting bosses.

And the I ending I got... Ho-lee shit, that final battle. I really don't want to share anything, because you just gotta play Undertale bind to get the full experience. I will say, though, I was on the edge of my seat.

So yeah, this game is a lot of fun, very interesting, and I'm looking forward to my second playthrough. I have a feeling I'll be discovering something new every time I play it.

[Sean]

The prologue area got me over-emotional. Something about it was just so fucking sad that I nearly came close to crying. And the part right after it made me laugh, a lot

I'll play some more tomorrow.

[FriendBot]

Count me in as another fan of this game as well!

I have successfully managed to do a pacifist run but apparently you can't really do that on your first run, so you can only do a neutral run or something like that. 

But who gives a crap, I really had a great time playing through this game!

The characters are so likable (well except one little piece of shit plant but whatever).

With all the characters I have interacted, they all had their moments that made me really like them! Whether it's Toriel, Papyrus, Sans, Undyne, Alphys or heck even Mettaton!

I really do like the cast and the gameplay is certainly something I never thought I would see in a RPG but considering that I haven't played Earthbound, which this game does have some strong connections to, and I have pretty little experience with the genre, it probably wouldn't be that surprising. But I liked it, it's a pretty interesting gameplay mechanic to implement those "bullet hell" sequences during the battles (better than tapping circles with the stylus for Chronicles XD).

But for those who aren't interested with the game, please do get it. It's quite an experience! if you can't afford the game, I personally would gift it to you just so you guys can play this game!

[JezMM]

Literally my game of the year so far.  Since I didn't know of the kickstarter or demo, this game just sprung out of nowhere for me, everyone was talking about it so much that I was like "screw it, I'm taking a chance", especially since it was so cheap.

 

Utterly adored my experience with it.  It's so funny, the story is so good, the gameplay is a gorgeous new spin on the "action" turn-based RPG style that I so love from the Paper Mario games.  Phenomenal soundtrack, just man, I'm so obsessed with this game, I'm recommending it to everyone and after my initial run (where I was unable to figure out how to spare the first boss, oh the regret...) I dove straight back in to play again for a full pacifist run.

Which was so uplifting and gorgeously done that I didn't have the heart to play a genocide run after.  I even backed up my data before trying a "Hard Mode" run and restored it after in response to Flowey's little message on startup goddamn this game made me care about a bunch of sprites and text boxes to a ridiculous extent lol.  After watching a genocide run on youtube, I have no regrets about not playing it myself.  So sad/depressing to see everywhere deserted, and the two exclusive bosses looked beyond my level of patience).

The way this game deconstructs and uses so many things we take for granted in video games is super awesome too, but it never does it in an obnoxious way that takes you out of the game world like a lot of post-modern humour games do.  Really impressive.

 

 

But yeah, definitely the best game I've played this year.  Even now that I'm "done" with it I can't stop listening to the soundtrack, reading about stuff I missed and watching playthroughs by other people.  Mollfie is currently playing through it and I sit and watch her every session to see how it all plays out for her.

[LongcrierCat]

This is so funny finding people talking about the game after I've had the chance of finishing my first and maybe only go at the game. N-not that I-I went on the Pacifist R-Run or anything! 

 

I've known about this for a long time because I've always seen the Toriel art since the demo and everyone in my circles has seen it. And it's been a long journey for them but I think they've made a game that might even be on the level with Mother 3 in its scope of character storytelling and the choices affecting your overall experience. This game is brilliant in its lack of conventional gaming cues. It's a hell of a ride. 

 

Toby really doesn't know how to let go of a joke though,  nyehehehehehe

Edited October 15, 2015 by LongcrierCat

[Brad]

I'm hot Undertale trash and proud of it

This game is worth the hype. Please be open minded, give it a chance and don't look at any spoilers. I got a Neutral Ending then a Pacifist Ending and I like to believe that's the most ideal outcome for anyone getting into it. It's worth experiencing the bosses on both endings and the story flows very well.

[Kuzu]

Alright, I'll download the damn thing.

[Dobkeratops]

The soundtrack of the game alone is well worth the price of admission.

[FriendBot]

OH MY FUCKING GOD!

 

So I just got the Good Ending of the game after Flowey told me that I could be better friends with Alphys, which I did. But seriously that boss for the Neutral Ending was fucking insane but SO FUCKING EPIC too!

Which ended with Alphys and Undyne being a couple! #LoveWins

And when I reached the barrier with Asgore, everything was all sunshine and rainbows until shit hits the fan. Everything with that sequence and after that was just AMAZING! No words can explain how beautiful that entire part was, the final boss music, the nice bit of context on the first human and Asriel and everything else. It was literally one of the MOST AWESOMEST THINGS I'VE EVER ENCOUNTERED IN MY GAMING LIFE!

I'm officially in love with this game and I'll NEVER, EVER attempt to do the bad ending after encountering that godsend of an ending.

[Mega]

A tip for those who attempts to do a True Good Ending can be found in the spoiler tags. With that said, I just powered through the Pacifist route these past few days, and I am in love with this game. The writing, the music, the atmosphere... It's been a long time since a game has reached me on such a strong emotional level. I'm sad that it's over, but I have no plans to do a Genocide route. I'll just watch it instead. I love the characters too much to hurt them. ;;

Go all the way back to the beginning area of the ruins. You'll find something very cool, and on the way, you can talk to all the NPCs you've befriended over the course of the game. It's easily misseable, so I thought I'd share.

Edited October 19, 2015 by Mega

[Emperor Robrainiac]

I've actually just beat the genocide ending just a few minutes ago... good GOD. Can't say I was expecting that turn of events...

 

Sans, first of was probably one, if not the  hardest bosses i've ever battled in any game... You can't damage him, and his attacks are crazy strong. The only thing to is survive, basically. Took me almost all day to finally get the pattern down and finally get to the end.

I gotta say though, Sans bleeding took me by surprise, and actually broke my heart (Despite how much a pain in the ass he was, I love the guy.) Seeing the ending, holy crap, you can definitely see Sans was being such a cheap bastard. 

This ending is straight out of a gaming creepypasta, with the main character breaking the fourth wall and congratulating you on aiding him and getting pissed off when I refused to do what he said. Needless to say, I'm expecting to see an evil plushie when I turn aroundI

In all seriousness, though, I'm now treated to a blank screen. I heard that eventually I can play again, and that the pacifist ending wont be as happy... Kudos to JezMM for showing  me the backup save program. I'm gonna do another neutral run, then do the pacifist route, and use the backup file to see the true ending, just so I'll feel all warm and fuzzy when I'm finished. 

Edit:... Welp... Looks like I just sold my soul. 

So yeah, another great game, can't wait to see more.

Edited October 19, 2015 by Emperor Robrainiac

[Mega]

Oof. You definitely want to delete your app data information, or you'll never get the true pacifist ending. Your game will be forever tainted. +_+ Fortunately, there's a lot of guides.

[Dobkeratops]

People who refuse to do a genocide run aren't just missing out on some extra plot, they're missing out on two of the better boss battles (the final boss for that run is pretty much the best in the whole game), and they both come with top tier battle music. Said music enhances and is enhanced by the battles themselves, and just looking shit up on youtube means losing the full impact of the moment.

[FriendBot]

People who refuse to do a genocide run aren't just missing out on some extra plot, they're missing out on two of the better boss battles (the final boss for that run is pretty much the best in the whole game), and they both come with top tier battle music. Said music enhances and is enhanced by the battles themselves, and just looking shit up on youtube means losing the full impact of the moment.

But I can't do it, I love the characters too much to do it. Knowing how twisted and dark it can get even though I can fight a more intense version of Undyne and actually getting to fight Sans himself, I just can't do it. I know I'm getting protective over fictional characters but goddamn, the game made me care about them so much that I don't give a damn!

I am perfectly satisfied with my good ending since it's the ending it should be and the boss theme that plays during its final boss (Hopes and Dreams) is FUCKING GODLY! 

[Mega]

The reason I refuse is because I don't want to permanently damage my game. Though I hear that if you reset after the final boss but DON'T finish the run, you can save your game and start a new file.

Edited October 19, 2015 by Mega

[JezMM]

To be honest, the fact that the genocide route has an in-your-face moment at the expense of those watching a playthrough, makes me consider it a blessing from the developer that not having the heart to perform one yourself is a valid and expected option.  Honestly I'm not that great at bullet hell stuff, so I don't think I'd have the patience to beat the Genocide last boss.  Not even sure if I'd be able to beat the other Genocide-only boss.  I also super don't want to spend several hours walking around a desolate, deserted version of this wonderful friendly world with depressing music playing the whole time.  Q_Q

The only playthrough I've done since finishing the best ending is Hard Mode (for those who are unfamiliar, see the spoiler below for info on how to play it (recommend you do not read unless you have finished the best ending due to reasons)).

 

Set the fallen human's name to "Frisk" and enjoy.

After I did this playthrough though, I restored my data back to my completed true pacifist run with that application to respect you-know-who's wishes.  Goddamn fictional characters making me feel things...

Edited October 19, 2015 by JezMM

[FriendBot]

 

Goddamn fictional characters making me feel things...

You and me both, man. This game is too deep. ; _____ ;

[Emperor Robrainiac]

Oof. You definitely want to delete your app data information, or you'll never get the true pacifist ending. Your game will be forever tainted. +_+ Fortunately, there's a lot of guides.

Oh yeah, I'm aware. I just wanna see how it all turned out before finishing off on a good note.

[Dobkeratops]

http://crumblingstatue.github.io/FloweysTimeMachine/

There's presets for right before both Genocide boss fights. Back up your saves, replace the files and enjoy. Afterwards just restore your backups.

No excuses! Hell, the

Undyne

battle is really, really, REALLY cool if you like the character (which I did).

And 

Sans

is mechanically the best thing the game has to offer.

 

 

[FriendBot]

http://crumblingstatue.github.io/FloweysTimeMachine/

There's presets for right before both Genocide boss fights. Back up your saves, replace the files and enjoy. Afterwards just restore your backups.

No excuses! Hell, the

Hidden Content

battle is really, really, REALLY cool if you like the character (which I did).

And 

Hidden Content

is mechanically the best thing the game has to offer.

 

 

Well I can see that the fight with Sans is pretty badass and a very unique bossfight as well and really shows that there's more to the characters that meets the eye. I also really do like how that you can get a nice sum-up of the characters when you kill them, it makes it a lot more hard (for me personally) to continue doing the Genocide Run. Also getting more insight on what happened to Flowey (Asriel) when he turned into a flower and how he learned that he can't feel any emotion and basically have the power of SAVE and basically played God with it. It's really kind of disturbing...

Also the game goes meta on the player (and the people who watches the run) when Flowey mentions that he finds the people who watches the Genocide Run pathetic and shows how gutless they are.....

This game man, THIS FUCKING GAME MAN!

[Sean]

I did it. I beat Undertale! I got the good ending! I--

 

I...

Oh

WhhhHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT

[Mega]

Uh oh. Which ending didja get? XD Neutral? True Pacifist? Post-Genocide Pacifist? I MUST KNOW.