Undertale indie RPG guide without spoilers
Also known as: Undertale RPG
A spoiler-light guide to Undertale, the indie RPG where you can spare every monster: how battles work, ACT and MERCY, dodging attacks and why choices matter.
- Type
- Video game
- Players
- 1
- First released
- 2015
- Designed by
- Toby Fox
- Developer
- Toby Fox
- Platforms
- Windows, macOS
Undertale is a role-playing game created by Toby Fox and released in 2015. A human child falls into the Underground, a world beneath a mountain where monsters have lived since a war long ago. To return to the surface, the child must cross the Underground and meet its many strange, funny and sometimes sad inhabitants. The unusual idea is that you never have to kill anyone. Every enemy can be spared through conversation and understanding, and the game remembers how you treated each character. Toby Fox wrote, designed and composed most of the game himself, and its music became very popular. Undertale is loved for its humour, surprises and emotional moments.
Our verdict
Undertale asks a simple question: what if you did not have to hurt anyone in a role-playing game? The answer leads to a story that is funny, kind and surprising. Its characters are memorable, its music is outstanding, and its battles turn into small puzzles about understanding others. It is short enough to finish in a few evenings but has secrets that reward replaying.
What works
- A unique battle system built around mercy.
- Memorable characters and excellent music.
- Choices that truly change the story.
What does not
- Simple graphics may not appeal to everyone.
- Some boss fights are difficult for new players.
How to play Undertale
You explore the Underground from a top-down view, solve light puzzles and talk to characters. When you meet a monster, a battle starts with four choices: FIGHT, ACT, ITEM and MERCY. FIGHT attacks with a timing bar. ACT lets you interact in many ways, such as complimenting, joking or comforting; the right actions calm the monster. When a monster no longer wants to fight, its name turns yellow and you can choose MERCY to spare it. During the monster's turn, your soul appears as a small heart inside a box, and you must move it to dodge patterns of bullets and shapes, in a style similar to shooting games. Each monster has its own attack patterns and personality. The story and ending change greatly depending on whether you spare monsters, fight them or mix both approaches.
Tips for new players
- Try different ACT options; every monster has its own way to be spared.
- Read every line of text; jokes and hints are everywhere.
- Avoid looking up spoilers before your first full playthrough.
- Watch each attack pattern carefully; most have a safe path through them.
Good for
Undertale: common questions
Can you finish Undertale without killing anyone?
Yes. Every enemy can be spared, and a fully peaceful route leads to one of the most loved endings.
How long is Undertale?
A first playthrough usually takes several hours, and different routes add more time.
Is Undertale suitable for children?
It has cartoon violence and some dark moments. Older children and teens usually enjoy it; younger ones may need a parent nearby.
Undertale belongs to its owners. Playdonya is not connected to them and does not sell this game; the cover is our own illustration.
