You fall into a world of monsters and are handed a choice almost no other RPG offers: you never have to harm anything. Undertale takes the genre’s oldest assumption — that you fight your way forward — and quietly dismantles it.
At a Glance
| Developer | Toby Fox |
| Released | 2015 |
| Platforms | PC, Mac, Linux, PS4, PS Vita, Switch, Xbox One |
| Subgenre | Subversive RPG / bullet-hell combat |
| Approx. length | 6–10 hours |
Overview
Made almost entirely by one person, Undertale wraps a deceptively simple retro RPG around a combat system that mixes turn-based menus with dodging bullet-hell attacks. Every enemy can be fought — or spared. How you treat the world changes it, sometimes permanently.
Beneath the jokes and the lo-fi pixel art is a tightly written story about choice and consequence, with one of the most beloved soundtracks of the decade.
The Review
Undertale is charming, very funny, and far more emotionally affecting than its first hour suggests. The mercy mechanic is not a gimmick — it reframes the entire experience, and the different routes (a peaceful Pacifist run versus the chilling Genocide route) reward replaying with real narrative payoff.
It is short and it is intentionally rough around the visual edges, but few games this size leave a mark this deep.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Genre-subverting mercy system
- One of the all-time great soundtracks
- Sharp humor backed by real heart
- Short, tight, and very replayable
Cons
- Deliberately lo-fi visuals aren’t for everyone
- Some bullet-hell encounters get tricky
- The humor occasionally overstays its welcome
Our Verdict
Our Verdict — 9.5/10
A cultural touchstone for a reason. Essential playing and a perfect on-ramp for anyone who thinks they don’t like RPGs.
Where to Buy
Available on: Steam, GOG, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, Xbox.
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