Undertale

Undertale is a role-playing video game released in 2015, developed and published by Toby Fox. The game originally appeared for Windows and macOS, with later ports to Linux, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, and other platforms. Set in the Underground, a world beneath the surface where monsters were sealed after a historic war, the game follows a human child who must navigate a colorful cast of creatures to return to the surface. The story is known for its humor, emotional depth, and breaking of many RPG conventions.

Gameplay combines traditional turn-based combat with real-time dodging and bullet hell mechanics. Players can choose to fight monsters or to resolve encounters peacefully through dialogue, items, and acts of mercy. These choices determine the narrative path and multiple endings, including Pacifist, Genocide, and Neutral routes. The game's characters are widely praised for distinct personalities and arcs, notably character pairings like Sans and Papyrus, Undyne, Toriel, and Flowey, each reacting differently based on player actions.

Development-wise, Undertale was created almost entirely by Toby Fox, with assistance from Temmie Chang for art and a small team. Fox built much of the game in GameMaker Studio, drawing on his prior work and a strong musical core, with a soundtrack that has been widely acclaimed.

Undertale received widespread critical acclaim for writing, worldbuilding, and music, and achieved strong commercial success despite a modest indie budget. It has left a lasting impact on indie games, influencing narrative design, fan culture, and discussions about player choice and morality.