Whether you’re into video games or not, odds are you’ve likely heard of Undertale, a recent RPG adventure game created by Toby Fox. The game has seemed to turn into somewhat of a cultural phenomenon, as I can hardly do anything nowadays without hearing at least one Undertale reference in passing conversation. At this rate, Undertale is turning into the next Minecraft. However, I’m not here to tell you how popular the game is. I’m here to determine whether the game lives up to the hype. Well, here goes.

Being the pseudo-hipster that I am, I was half-expecting to hate Undertale. Hearing all the buzz about it after its release was hardly enough to make me want to play it. But, after a few weeks, I began hearing nothing but positivity from numerous sources I legitimately respect. I figured at that point that I at least had to check it out. Now, I wanted to be able to say that everyone was worked up over nothing. I mean, a “retro” RPG adventure with “witty” dialogue? What could possibly be so special and unique about such an overused concept? With doubt in my mind, I booted up Undertale for the first time, prepared to trudge through hours of overhyped mediocrity.

Guys. It’s really good. Not just really good, in fact. Undertale is honestly one of the best games I’ve played in recent memory. First of all, while the entire concept of a top-down RPG with turn-based combat isn’t particularly new; what Undertale does with its combat and storytelling is absolutely amazing. When you enter combat, you’re given the option to fight, interact with, and spare your opponent. The reason you have these options is that you don’t have to kill a single foe in the entirety of the game. In fact, killing is mostly frowned upon in Undertale. You have the choice to kill or spare anyone you want, but know that your actions will have consequences. Your choices will impact the overall ending of the story, and near the end you are always judged for your sins. The game is more difficult, for the most part, when you choose not to kill anyone. The temptation to indiscriminately kill all who stand in your way becomes much stronger as the game progresses. Luckily, almost no one could bring themselves to kill any member of the lovable cast of characters.

The story is as quirky and lovable as it is touching and melancholy. If you’re coming into Undertale expecting a comedy, you may get a bit more than you bargained for. The story focuses on a small child of undetermined gender who becomes trapped in a hidden realm below the surface of the Earth. The child soon learns that this land is populated by horrific monsters. As the child explores, however, we learn that these “monsters” aren’t so bad after all. The game is an emotional rollercoaster from start to finish, balancing lighthearted adventure with moments of great loss and conflict. We meet friendly and bitter characters alike, and immerse ourselves in this beautifully crafted and lovingly executed world. Part of the game’s emotional appeal comes from its stellar soundtrack, comprising of a whopping 101 individual songs. Playing Undertale feels like completing a journey, and you feel like you’ve grown and matured along the way. This is impressive for a game that can theoretically be completed in about 7 hours. So much content and character is packed into such a neat package, and it’s simply a joy to behold. The story definitely encourages the player to act in a pacifistic way.

Even when choosing to be pacifistic, however, combat is unavoidable. While it is turn-based, the combat stage is set up much more like a “bullet hell” game, in which you control a small heart and attempt to avoid waves of attacks. This blend of turn-based and reflex-based gameplay is incredibly unique, and keeps the combat engaging and challenging. If you choose to not kill your opponents, you have to try to convince them to stop fighting. You’re given a different set of non-lethal moves for each opponent, and through trial and error you will learn how to “spare” your enemies. This tests the player’s problem solving skills, as well as their memory. The mercy system forces you to get to know your enemies, and in turn, you will no longer see them as your enemies. This plays into the major themes of acceptance present throughout the story.

Overall, Undertale is a heartfelt, unique, and thoroughly engrossing experience. It’s definitely worth the $15 price tag, and has more than enough thrills and emotional moments to keep you entertained. I eagerly await to hear what’s next from Toby Fox, and I wish him luck in his future game developing endeavors.