Undertale

[wasting]

I can understand people having a weak reaction to UnderTale if they've only seen reviews/promo material; the game is short and extremely dense, so there's not a lot you can explicitly talk about or show off without spoiling some seriously cool moments.

And while it may be really hard to recommend this game without being incredibly coy about it, make no mistake: EVERYONE SHOULD PLAY UNDERTALE. It's Really, REALLY Good.

Edit: Also, if you really can't just take people's word for it, play the demo, it's free on www.undertale.com, it's super short, has an INSANE amount of replay value for a demo, and unlike a lot of the more playthrough-style promo/review footage, doesn't have a dude loudly reading all the dialogue over the amazing soundtrack (I'm looking at you, Giant Bomb Quick Looks).

 

[Phoenix1213]

I actually kickstarted it fairly early on solely for things like the quote here [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/125361-Undertale-Dev-Every-Monster-Should-Feel-Like-an-Individual#&gid=gallery_1532&pid=1]. The whole thing where generic enemies are treated as brick walls you have to smash through in order to progress is something I've always understood as being a necessity of gameplay restrictions, but I've never liked it. Stealth games and games with Knockout mechanics improve it a little bit, but I long for the days when even the most generic of enemies would be able to be intimidated, convinced to join you, blackmailed or talked down, etc. instead of sneaked past, killed, or KO'd.

So I threw some money at it as an impulse buy, played a little of the demo, but never finished, and then all but forgot about it until I saw it was released. I've only played a little bit so far and I'm definitely enjoying it. It's really funny and sweet at times and the random encounters are sparse enough that they don't get annoying or exhausting like in other games. I haven't gotten to the point where I completely love it like Jim Sterling and some people here have, but I can see it happening if it keeps up with the quality.

 

[Benpasko]

Said friend has said they are not necessarily interested in staying friends with me now.

So... thanks, Undertale, for ruining a friendship because I don't choose to play a game with the only reason to play being "It's emotional".

I wouldn't be friends with someone who doesn't recognize excellence, either.

The game is good, you should play it.

 

[Chessrook44]

Said friend has said they are not necessarily interested in staying friends with me now.

So... thanks, Undertale, for ruining a friendship because I don't choose to play a game with the only reason to play being "It's emotional".

I wouldn't be friends with someone who doesn't recognize excellence, either.

The game is good, you should play it.

They made up with me, admitted they were doing wrong with their statements.

And again, say it's as good as you want, I have no interest in the gameplay. It's like saying I MUST play Silent Hill despite not having an interest in horror games, or I MUST play Rocket League even though I don't care for sports games like that. It's just not my thing.

 

[Dalisclock]

I've heard a lot of people gush about it and while the graphics in the screen shots aren't impressive, that's far from a deal breaker for me. I played through the early FF games so I can handle 8 bit graphics.

I guess the question I should ask is: Since it's being compared to the mother/earthbound series, am I correct in assuming if I liked Earthbound/Mother 3(Liked Earthbound/LOVED Mother 3 even though it made me cry), that I'll probably like undertale?

 

[Dalisclock]

Have you played any of them? If not, how can you say you say you have no interest in the experience if you dont know what that experience is?

If he doesn't like the genre, he doesn't like the genre. I'm a big proponent for trying new things, however that doesn't change the fact I don't like multi-player. I've tried different types and nothing really works for me(assuming it doesn't actively annoy me). I'm not gonna try every MMO or shooter just because "this might be the one that changes my mind", and I'm not gonna begrudge others if they don't like the same games/genres I do.

 

[wasting]

I guess the question I should ask is: Since it's being compared to the mother/earthbound series, am I correct in assuming if I liked Earthbound/Mother 3(Liked Earthbound/LOVED Mother 3 even though it made me cry), that I'll probably like undertale?

To answer your question, yes, you will almost definitely like it. Undertale's dev is a pretty huge Earthbound/Mother fan, and it's clear from his work here that he really gets a lot of what made those games special.

Not to say this game is trying to be Earthbound or that only nostalgic Mother fans will be able to enjoy it; my wife has never played EB or Mother 3, and she's on her second playthrough of Undertale and is absolutely LOVING it.

 

[loa]

Still waiting for the escapist to acknowledge that undertale exists.
Oh well, not like I can be disappointed in the integrity of this site after that whole dawngate thing any more.

They made up with me, admitted they were doing wrong with their statements.

And again, say it's as good as you want, I have no interest in the gameplay. It's like saying I MUST play Silent Hill despite not having an interest in horror games, or I MUST play Rocket League even though I don't care for sports games like that. It's just not my thing.

Which gameplay do you think this has and what genre do you think it belongs to?
I hope you realize it's not an "rpg".

 

[Chessrook44]

Still waiting for the escapist to acknowledge that undertale exists.
Oh well, not like I can be disappointed in the integrity of this site after that whole dawngate thing any more.

They made up with me, admitted they were doing wrong with their statements.

And again, say it's as good as you want, I have no interest in the gameplay. It's like saying I MUST play Silent Hill despite not having an interest in horror games, or I MUST play Rocket League even though I don't care for sports games like that. It's just not my thing.

Which gameplay do you think this has and what genre do you think it belongs to?
I hope you realize it's not an "rpg".

A retro-style RPG in the vein of Earthbound. Which I tried playing once, but didn't get very far before losing interest in and stopping.

As for "whether I've played any of them".... RPGs I've played various styles and know which types I like and which types I don't. Sports games (For Rocket League) I have, and lack interest in. Horror I admittedly didn't, however this is because for the most part I'm just not a fan of horror in general. Not in an "I hate it" sense, but in an "I have no interest in it" kind of sense.

I play many types of games, but there's a few genres I just don't particularly care for.

 

[Anarchdovey]

i need to buy this game

 

[Dalisclock]

Still waiting for the escapist to acknowledge that undertale exists.
Oh well, not like I can be disappointed in the integrity of this site after that whole dawngate thing any more.

Remember when the Escapist used to do video reviews? Remember when the Escapist used to review games a lot?

I miss those days. Yahtzee and Jim Sterling(thank god for him) reviewing games are the highlight of my week.

 

[Maximum Bert]

About an hour in so far and while it has not convinced me of its brilliance yet I am finding it ok and I will definitely continue which is more than I can say for a fair few games I have tried atm.

Apparently the game is quite short which suits me with the limited time I have. I do like its set up and it has its charm but it feels like it has something more substantial as well. I havent really gone in expecting much but so far it is looking engaging enough time will tell whether it works its magic on me.

 

[Charli]

I've heard a lot of people gush about it and while the graphics in the screen shots aren't impressive, that's far from a deal breaker for me. I played through the early FF games so I can handle 8 bit graphics.

I guess the question I should ask is: Since it's being compared to the mother/earthbound series, am I correct in assuming if I liked Earthbound/Mother 3(Liked Earthbound/LOVED Mother 3 even though it made me cry), that I'll probably like undertale?

If you liked those games this game is your JAM. Get it now.

I've just finished it. FINISHED it finished it, and I am emotionally drained, out of breath and still sitting my my chair like a gelatinous ooze of a creature that you will be reduced to. I laughed, I cried. I was scared, I sweated and I was determined! This game is something else.

Also the final boss music is going straight on my playlist as one of the best video game tracks I've heard this year.

 

[ryan_cs]

Still waiting for the escapist to acknowledge that undertale exists.
Oh well, not like I can be disappointed in the integrity of this site after that whole dawngate thing any more.

They made up with me, admitted they were doing wrong with their statements.

And again, say it's as good as you want, I have no interest in the gameplay. It's like saying I MUST play Silent Hill despite not having an interest in horror games, or I MUST play Rocket League even though I don't care for sports games like that. It's just not my thing.

Which gameplay do you think this has and what genre do you think it belongs to?
I hope you realize it's not an "rpg".

A retro-style RPG in the vein of Earthbound. Which I tried playing once, but didn't get very far before losing interest in and stopping.

As for "whether I've played any of them".... RPGs I've played various styles and know which types I like and which types I don't. Sports games (For Rocket League) I have, and lack interest in. Horror I admittedly didn't, however this is because for the most part I'm just not a fan of horror in general. Not in an "I hate it" sense, but in an "I have no interest in it" kind of sense.

I play many types of games, but there's a few genres I just don't particularly care for.

What about puzzle games and bullet dodging games? In a pacifist run everything becomes a puzzle, the small fries have puzzles that are simple, while the mini-bosses and bosses have puzzles that are harder. Even if you solve it you still have to dodge the bullets for at least one round. If you think you've seen all the dodging mechanics, then you're wrong and the game occasionally adds another one for the fights.

The RPG elements don't come into play in a pacifist run, and if you decide to play violently most of the game becomes a cakewalk.
This is because you only gain levels by killing monsters. I would say more, but I haven't finished the game yet, I'm at the end of chapter two.

If you have any questions I'll try to answer.

 

[Chessrook44]

Still waiting for the escapist to acknowledge that undertale exists.
Oh well, not like I can be disappointed in the integrity of this site after that whole dawngate thing any more.

They made up with me, admitted they were doing wrong with their statements.

And again, say it's as good as you want, I have no interest in the gameplay. It's like saying I MUST play Silent Hill despite not having an interest in horror games, or I MUST play Rocket League even though I don't care for sports games like that. It's just not my thing.

Which gameplay do you think this has and what genre do you think it belongs to?
I hope you realize it's not an "rpg".

A retro-style RPG in the vein of Earthbound. Which I tried playing once, but didn't get very far before losing interest in and stopping.

As for "whether I've played any of them".... RPGs I've played various styles and know which types I like and which types I don't. Sports games (For Rocket League) I have, and lack interest in. Horror I admittedly didn't, however this is because for the most part I'm just not a fan of horror in general. Not in an "I hate it" sense, but in an "I have no interest in it" kind of sense.

I play many types of games, but there's a few genres I just don't particularly care for.

What about puzzle games and bullet dodging games? In a pacifist run everything becomes a puzzle, the small fries have puzzles that are simple, while the mini-bosses and bosses have puzzles that are harder. Even if you solve it you still have to dodge the bullets for at least one round. If you think you've seen all the dodging mechanics, then you're wrong and the game occasionally adds another one for the fights.

The RPG elements don't come into play in a pacifist run, and if you decide to play violently most of the game becomes a cakewalk.
This is because you only gain levels by killing monsters. I would say more, but I haven't finished the game yet, I'm at the end of chapter two.

If you have any questions I'll try to answer.

Puzzle games are hit and miss. Myst style are preferred, and occasionally I'll see a Puzzle-style game that interests me on a flash game, but it's hit and miss. And as for bullet dodgers... meh. Don't really care either way. And I count the method of wandering around that I've seen as part of the retro-style RPG experience. Call me weird, but the wandering around in RPGs like Pokemon and Earthbound interests me less than the type of wandering around in many MMOs, or games like Neverwinter Nights or Mass Effect.

 

[veloper]

Maybe I'll give it a try, when it's on a Humble bundle deal or something.

Jim Sterling's review of this game convinced me that the gameplay itself will be subpar, but maybe the C&C will make up for it.
Gamers are also too easily impressed with mediocre writing, but maybe the humor will still scan.