Undertale: Honest Review

[Eloediel]

I recently took a look at a thread that apparently had a really crappy video review attached to it. Now I won't say by who, but it's kinda inspired me to write my own review (critique) based off the pointers I gave the kid to base his future reviews on, so here I go-- Actually before I start. Let me just say that I've never actually critiqued a game before. So forgive me if this review isn't that great. I also want to mention that this review contains spoilers. Yeah... Just so you know. And let me also state that I won't be using many quotes in the review. Although it might help. I'm extremely lazy....

Okay. Moving on...

Where to start.
Well, how about at the beginning?

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Start up
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Upon booting up the game you're greeted with a little slide show and some music. It explains the past of the world you're entering before transition to show you the present and how your journey begins. The title screen then shows itself. UNDERTALE. I kinda like how they included the heart in the title like that. It really shows you how symbolic that heart is even before you start the game. Anyways, the menu is sweet, and simple. It also changes throughout your play through of the game. Honestly I think it's an unnecessary feature. Still it was neat nonetheless. I was particularly glad I was able to use my remote controller. Let me tell you this: If you have one. USE IT.

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Game Play - Overworld
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Everything went pretty smoothly actually. There was no real load time between rooms, I never got stuck on anything when walking (except for when I was being silly), and everything did generally what it was supposed to do. The puzzles were a tad basic, at the beginning of the game sure, but after exiting the tutorial stages I expect a bit more of a challenge from then on out. Then I met Sans and Papyrus... We'll get into that later though. In my opinion the puzzles were too simplistic. Even in late game. I finished them all in about thirty seconds maximum. Excluding that really long one that Alphys continually messes up with because the area had been changed. Though I wouldn't really call that a puzzle. More like a mini labyrinth, which I will applaud because I actually got quite lost in that thing, and ran around in a few circles more times than I'll actually admit to. Besides that though. Everything seemed A-Okay. [EDIT] I also would like to add that... There is so much darn walking in this game... Sure come the end of the game you have all these fast travel methods. But still. ;; A guy can only take so much walking. At least give us a sprint feature. Even if it's just a short sprint bar. I would've loved that much. Haha. [/edit]

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Game Play - Battling
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Let me just get one thing straight. I've NEVER liked bullet hell games (or overhead shooters). There has never really been any exceptions before. Which is why I'm so surprised I've accepted Undertale as an exception. The battle system was just so enjoyable. I really loved the fight or flight mechanics they used. Having to appeal to the monsters better nature while dodging all their unique attack patterns before sparing the. Loved it. Never once have I ever attacked an enemy (except for the mid-end boss Asgore). So I don't really have much of an opinion on the "attack" feature. My entire experience with attack was having to press the A button once when the single line ended up in the middle section. It didn't get much more interesting than that for me. I've heard that other weapons have different attack patterns, which require you to learn before you can properly time all attacks just right, and wrack up some killer damage. Which honestly all sounds really neat and all! I just never explore that aspect and never will because I cannot bring myself to kill any of the friends I've made along the way through my true pacifist run. Though again. I thoroughly enjoyed using the ACT and SPARE commands. I flirted with jello. Heck ya!

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Story
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The story wasn't bad. As an author myself I can say I did like it. Though I feel like the story was trying too hard to get a laugh out of the player more times than it needed to. This as a result made some things not as funny as they could have been had there been less laughs. Don't get me wrong. This story is no joke. It has its fair share of seriousness. It's made the majority of its players cry already. It's one of those stories that gets you really involved with it. You begin to have a bigger outlook on not just the story, but your own life, and the people around you. There are honestly not many games out there that can connect to players so well. It teaches many valuable life lessons in a fun, story progressing manner, and still leaves room for all the silly wackiness of everything else. Honestly it's such a great blend of a game. The ending of the pacifist run is so bittersweet. The ending of the neutral run is different, depending on who you've killed, and who you've spared. The genocide run makes you feel like the biggest crap head in the world. Not to mention. This game breaks the fourth wall in ways that players can't even comprehend most of the time. Which is great! All in all. I think the story was simply wonderful.

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Characters
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Let's be honest here. Every single character of Undertale has been pointed at by someone while they said "ME." There simply isn't a character that people can't relate to. [EDIT] Allow me to also mention that each character actually teaches you a life lesson, whether or not you realize it is up to you, and I'll also leave which lessons you learn up to your interpretation as well. [/edit]

Flowey: Well... Okay... Maybe not ALL characters are relatable. If you looked at Flowey and said "ME!" You need to see a psychiatrist immediately.

Toriel: She is such a lovely character. Who could resist calling her "goat mom." I know I couldn't. In the beginning I was grateful to her for saving my life, however, I didn't really like how much she babies the player. Even by the end of the game she's still treating you like a kid while everyone else is treating you like an equal. I can understand that she has those motherly instinct and wishes to fill the hole in her heart that her son left when he died. Still though... Now some might counter this by saying "she respects your decision to leave though, and is willing to let you go at the end." This is true. She does show you some equality. That main impression is still there though. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE goatmom, and I'd wish for her to be my real mother any-day (not that my real mother is bad, just that Toriel is... Better. :'D).

Sans: My first impression of Sans was me staring at my computer screen dumbfounded for a whole two minutes. Which is quite possibly the best reaction to a character introduction ever. Sans left me speechless. I couldn't believe that I loved him so much. Especially with his full name being Comic Sans. The font hated by all... Well, I never hated comic sans, but whatever. Sans is simply great. He's the one I looked at and said "ME... If I wasn't too lazy to pull practical jokes..." I do say a lot of lame puns though. I like how he acts like a guide throughout the game too. Without even giving you much advice. He just sort of appears in every new location. Once you see him you're just "Oh. There's Sans. Now I know I'm going in the right direction!" You don't know why but you feel incredibly safe around Sans. Even though he's lazy and a smart-mouth. You know he's hiding real potential within him. Which if you're doing a genocide run becomes your worst fear...

Papyrus: I kinda don't like egotistical narcissists. Papyrus is an exception because he's able to see what's most important. That and lets be honest. He's kind of a lovably funny dimwit. He was designed to be a hopeless loser. Which makes you sympathize with him. A bond forms between you and this other loser. Yes I just called you a loser. You're playing Undertale for Pete's sake. Don't take offense to it though. We're all losers. :) That's why we love Papyrus so much. He just wants to be liked by others. In a game this is fine. If he were attempting this in real life though he'd be branded an attention ♥♥♥♥♥ for life. Wowie. Thank god you're where you are Papyrus.

Undyne: Not gonna lie. This chick was so badass that it scared me. I practically screamed the whole time while running from her attacks. Then I was genuinely afraid to fight her come her boss battle. Yikes. She pulls off the tomboy act well if I do say so myself. What I love though is that underneath that hard shell. She's a big softie that really cares about her friends... Those types usually get to me.

Alphys: The biggest loser in loserville. An anime addict with too much time on her hands. A splitting image of what the internet really is. And the one that teaches us one of the biggest life lessons in the game... I really don't need to get into Alphys' character much. It literally speaks for itself. So well in fact. That I'll just say that she was right when she said Kissy Cutie Mew Mew 2 was complete and utter trash compared to Kissy Cutie Mew Mew. ;)

Mettaton: I'd write a mini review for this guy too if I could stop laughing at his character so much. What I mean by that is that his entire character is an act up till his boss battle. All we really learn is that he realizes the undergound needs him, they love him, and leaving them behind would break their spirits. It was some sort of nationalist thing that mostly flew over my head. Which I apologize for. Though he's like the only boss without a SOUL. So it's not entirely important.

Asgore: Common sense doesn't come to this guy often. He's super polite, a bit of a doormat, and he lets his temper get the better of him. I mean come on. He's the type of guy that needs a babysitter all the time. Or he might say/do something dumb. It's no wonder Toriel got fed up with him. He doesn't think rationally. He's the type of guy that won't realize what he has until it's gone. Then he regrets it his whole life but continues on with it because he lacks the self confidence to stand against his original plans and think of a new solution. There really wasn't much else to be learned about Asgore from my experience in the game. If anyone has learned more about him than I. Please feel free to enlighten me on more of his character.

Asriel: My favourite character in Undertale. The one that suffers the most and receives the hardest ending. The reason why the True Pacifist run is so bittersweet... I only wish there was the option to give this kawaii motherf-- my SOUL. He's a highly misunderstood boy who lacks what he desires most. Friends. Kinda like Papyrus. Only unlike Papyrus. Asriel was young, shy, and was killed by an ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ child that was honestly an extremely bad influence on him. Asriel is an honest, fun loving boy, while somewhat gullible. He's loyal. Kind. And also a true pacifist. At least that is what I believe what he'd be had he lived... Asriel has a place in my heart that will never be replaced or forgotten. He was someone who taught me a valuable life lesson. One I'll do my absolute best to remember. Thank you Asriel... R.I.P.

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Overall Rating
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9/10






TL;DR: I found Undertale to be highly enjoyable and I'd recommend it to others any day. I also really wanna try some butterscotch cinnamon pie now... Thanks game.

Alright. That's all I really had to say. Wow, who knew writing a review at 1 AM would be so difficult, but at least I managed something. Feel free to leave opinions and/or counterpoints. I love to stir the pot and add to the fire. By that I mean I like casual/friendly debate, discussing video games, and hear the opinions of others.

Okay I'm done now. Going to crash here. Bye for now. :)

[EDIT] Please note that this isn't my final draft of the review. I'll gradually update it when I have new information or perhaps a change in opinion based on better understanding of a character / events. With that said. If you're interested in this little review I've wrote. Keep an eye out for little [EDIT][/edit] at the end of paragraphs. [/edit]

[MythlyInari]

Now this is a pretty nice review. +1 for your reviewing skills.

[Eloediel]

Originally posted by 💗Flandre Scarlet💗:

Now this is a pretty nice review. +1 for your reviewing skills.

Thank you, I did unfortunately forget a few points I wanted to make, but it's late. So that's understandable. I'm sure some of it will come back to me later. There's always more that can be added to a review. Also things that can be changed depending on whether or not an opinion can be changed, which they most certainly can change, and there's a good change my opinion will change over time. For now I'll just stick with this and see where it gets me. :D

[Kevzy]

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ this is thorough. +1.

[Eloediel]

Originally posted by KeyToTruth12:

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ this is thorough. +1.

Thank you. I tried to be as thorough as possible. Best way to write a review, yeah?

[Strider VM]

This is a sample of a good review. =)

[Tanagra09]

Mettaton actually has a soul! At least I think so?
The key you can buy in the alley near the MTT resort is actually the key to his former house, where you kinda learn that he actually is the cousin of the ghost :) So he's technically a monster within a body created by Alphys - and it's Alphys' ability to put a monster soul into another body without destroying that soul that conviced Asgore to make her royal scientist!

(Also that might be me going mad from playing this game too many times but... Am I the only one thinking that Mettaton EX's body somewhat looks like Undyne...? That would make sense!)

Also, this is a pretty good review :)

[Kingangus]

U FOR GOT ABOUT THE SPEGEETY

HOU CUD U FERGT THE SPAGETI!

UR SO STUPID

I GIV DIS REVEW A 0/0 BEUZ U FERGOT ABOUT THE SPAGETI

[He Who Is Vile]

Originally posted by Tanagra09:

Mettaton actually has a soul! At least I think so?
The key you can buy in the alley near the MTT resort is actually the key to his former house, where you kinda learn that he actually is the cousin of the ghost :) So he's technically a monster within a body created by Alphys - and it's Alphys' ability to put a monster soul into another body without destroying that soul that conviced Asgore to make her royal scientist!

(Also that might be me going mad from playing this game too many times but... Am I the only one thinking that Mettaton EX's body somewhat looks like Undyne...? That would make sense!)

Also, this is a pretty good review :)

I'm pretty sure ghosts don't need Alphys to go into a physical body. Though, since she can make a robot, Asgore probably figured she was smart enough anyways.

[Tanagra09]

Originally posted by He Who Is Vile:

Originally posted by Tanagra09:

Mettaton actually has a soul! At least I think so?
The key you can buy in the alley near the MTT resort is actually the key to his former house, where you kinda learn that he actually is the cousin of the ghost :) So he's technically a monster within a body created by Alphys - and it's Alphys' ability to put a monster soul into another body without destroying that soul that conviced Asgore to make her royal scientist!

(Also that might be me going mad from playing this game too many times but... Am I the only one thinking that Mettaton EX's body somewhat looks like Undyne...? That would make sense!)

Also, this is a pretty good review :)

I'm pretty sure ghosts don't need Alphys to go into a physical body. Though, since she can make a robot, Asgore probably figured she was smart enough anyways.

Yeah, that's... that's probably true ->
Anyway, my main point stands: Mettaton has a soul !

[Kevzy]

Originally posted by Tanagra09:

Originally posted by He Who Is Vile:

I'm pretty sure ghosts don't need Alphys to go into a physical body. Though, since she can make a robot, Asgore probably figured she was smart enough anyways.

Yeah, that's... that's right ->
Anyway, my main point stands: Mettaton has a soul !

Every monster have.

[Crystalitar]

Very interesting read! I also must comment that because every monster you fight, have different act options, and different attack petterns, you can see their whole character in just 1 short battle. And every monster is memorable. Not too much, each unique. :)

[Igƞis]

Nice review +1

[Jake the Human]

One thing that must be remembered.

Asgore is a political figure. Functionally immortal at that. It's unknown how many thousands of years he's ruled the monsters, and anger and remorse would have a severe impact on the rest of his life and decisions. What do the monsters want? What will he do for them, to keep them happy?

Asgore is not acting only on his own behalf, which you should always take into account.

I loved the guy, and felt sad for him. When I went to face him, I went with the complete confidence that we would work it out. I did with all the other monsters, even the ones who tried to kill me. He's much too soft NOT to feel for, if that's something you can understand. I related to him a lot.

I wish I could have hugged him. We could have held hands as we walked through the barrier. Who says the seventh one had to be dead? :3

[Eloediel]

Originally posted by StriderVM:

This is a sample of a good review. =)

Thank you kindly.

[Eloediel]

Originally posted by Tanagra09:

Mettaton actually has a soul! At least I think so?
The key you can buy in the alley near the MTT resort is actually the key to his former house, where you kinda learn that he actually is the cousin of the ghost :) So he's technically a monster within a body created by Alphys - and it's Alphys' ability to put a monster soul into another body without destroying that soul that conviced Asgore to make her royal scientist!

(Also that might be me going mad from playing this game too many times but... Am I the only one thinking that Mettaton EX's body somewhat looks like Undyne...? That would make sense!)

Also, this is a pretty good review :)

That's an interesting point you've made. I'll have to look into it some more!