Before you read any further in this post: Undertale is a game that I feel like is best when you know as little about it as possible. I 100% reccomend the game. It is amazing and one of my most favorite games ever. However there may be some tiny spoilers in this article. So go watch the trailer and play the demo and if you still aren’t convinced that its a good game and buy it then come back and read this.

Okay, ready? Alright.

Toby Fox’s Undertale is an RPG where you don’t have to kill anyone.

In the game you play a child who fell down into the caves of a mountain. The monsters were sealed away in these caves long ago by the humans. Upon waking up you meet a new friend and… That is all I will tell you about the story of Undertale. The story of the game is incredibly written. An interesting world filled to the brim with lovable, unforgettable characters.

It’s been a long time since I’ve played a game where I actually cared at all about the characters but Undertale had me worrying about them all throughout the story. Undertale is also a hilarious game which is so very very rare in games. I don’t mean a quiet chuckle here and there. Undertale had me bursting out laughing and then telling the jokes to my friends and family.

While I absolutely love the writing of Undertale it is not my favorite part of the game. What I love most about it is the battle system.

RPG’s often take the standard “Final Fantasy-ish” turn-based battle system and call it good. While that works it’s definitely not memorable and I personally find it boring. Undertale takes the standard turn-based battle system and makes it something new, unique, and clever.

If you play through the game as you would a more standard RPG, even fighting is more interesting. Pressing the button as it lines up in the middle of the screen makes fighting feel more alive, but it’s when the enemies retaliate that things start to get really interesting. When it is the monster’s turn, you control a heart in a small box and enemies will send waves of bullets, flies, the word BARK, bones, and tons of other stuff at you. It makes battling into a Shoot-em-up or maybe a “WarioWare” minigame. The “bullet hell” style of dodging attacks made fighting so much more ingaging and thrilling than any other turn-based rpg I have ever played.

But if you decide to play the game as a pacifist it suddenly becomes more of a puzzle game. Instead of trying to hammer down an opponent’s HP you are trying to figure out how to get them to leave you alone or not want to fight anymore. By complimenting, having a flexing contest, flirting, or almost anything else you can figure out how to befriend these monsters and be on your way without any bloodshed.

Undertale’s battle system is incredibly clever as well. Always surprising you and keeping you on your toes. Some of the game’s funniest moments happen during battles. But I can’t spoil any of that for you, you will just have to play and find out.

Undertale is so inspiring to me. It is a game that is so obviously made with such love and care. An amazing story and characters that I love and relate to. With multiple endings and tons of hidden things Undertale is mysterious and captivating. Undertale’s art is gorgeous and it’s soundtrack is unbelievable. I hope that someday I can make something half as good as Undertale.

So go buy Undertale. Go buy copies for your friends. Then buy the soundtrack which is mind-shatteringly good. And try not to cry when you beat it.