3 ms·
Undertale is a good game. It's not a really great game. Comparing it to EarthBound is ludicrous. Some grievances: The combat system works great on the first p
by Fej 10y ago
Undertale is a good game. It's not a really great game. Comparing it to EarthBound is ludicrous.
Some grievances:
The combat system works great on the first playthrough, but once you've figured out how to beat an enemy, the challenge is gone. The fun part is figuring out the puzzle of how to beat an enemy without attacking. For a game that emphasizes multiple playthroughs, it's quite weird that this wasn't expanded upon. If there's a sequel (I expect one, lots of money there) then that will definitely be improved.
The characters are one-dimensional, with one or two exceptions (and fantastic exceptions at that, credit where credit is due).
The writing isn't that good for a game that places so much emphasis on the story. It has its moments, and great references (Final Fantasy VI opera scene, anyone?) but others are cringey (Anime is [Not] Real).
(Biggest one for me) The only way to get the good ending is to "spare" or pacify enemies. But they're attacking you. Seriously, I would have no moral qualms with killing an obviously hostile monster in self-defense. I know that's the point of a pacifist ending, but there's a difference between being a pacifist and having a death wish. The player character in a pacifist run is the latter. There's a serious cognitive dissonance here... it's okay for them to attack you, but not vice versa. No one bats an eye.
Despite this, the game is a treat, at least on the first playthrough. Also, the music. Jesus the music is amazing.
- zeta0134 10y agoI like how even the author doesn't try to call it a great game. It is just what it is, and nothing more; a lovely anti-RPG with some unusual humor, and very hit or miss gameplay. I personally really enjoyed it, but a lot of the criticisms of it are perfectly valid. I think the music really makes the game work. Especially in the early areas, if it weren't for the positively cheerful atmosphere (which the music completely sells) the moral conflict of fighting the enemies wouldn't have worked nearly as well. Plus, you really only get to pull off the amazing ending (which I will not spoil) on the first playthrough. It's just completely out of left field. I'd love to see a sequel, or at least more games from Toby in a similar style, but I also feel like Undertale, despite its few flaws, exists as a complete experience and requires no further commentary. I would be totally cool with him riding its popularity to move his gaming career in a different direction.
- Fej 10y agoTo be honest, I think the ending is pretty bad. (spoilers) It just had to take the "oh so meta" route. It just felt so way out of left field... not in a good way (a good way would be called a "twist ending" I think). Definitely killed my sense of immersion and suspension of disbelief. And no, it's not the first game to do the "closes itself" shtick.