The Characters, Art, And Music Of Toby Fox’s ‘Undertale’
Read Time:4 Minute, 37 Second
2025 will mark the 10th anniversary of the release of Undertale, the critically acclaimed game from Toby Fox that has captivated players with its unique style, unforgettable characters, and mesmerizing music. In a world where most video games seem focused on the annihilation of enemies through violence and cunning, Undertale is a breath of fresh air and packs a powerful message.
At first glance, Undertale might look like a typical role-playing game (RPG). The player follows a human child on their journey through the Underworld, where monsters have been forced to live ever since their conflict with humans in bygone times. But the monsters are nothing like a game’s usual adversaries. Each one has a rich backstory, unique personality, and individual motivations. You get the feeling that this world has existed long before your arrival. The monsters know each other. They have relationships, friendships, and rivalries, and they frequently interrupt each other’s encounters with you for their own purposes.
The options for interacting with a character are unique to their personality. For example, you can horrify Temmie by flexing your muscles or flirt with Moldsmal (what a meaningful conversation!). One of the most incredible moments for me in the game was in the fight with Toriel at the end of the Ruins. Once your HP is low, Toriel’s bullets avoid you during her attack, showing that she doesn’t want to kill you. These tiny details are what make Undertale so impactful and bring such life to its characters.
The point of Undertale is that sparing your adversary is always an option. It’s a game that can be won without shedding a drop of pixelated blood. You can choose the path of the true pacifist and complete the game without fighting any monsters. Or, as the Undertale team describes it, “Ignore this choice and rain destruction upon your foes.” The choices you make have consequences. Seeing how these choices impact the characters and the world is an emotional journey like no other. Maybe most startling of all, these consequences persist even when you return to a save point, as writers for IGN were amazed to discover. The game’s outcome depends on whether you follow the pacifist, neutral, or genocidal route, making Undertale a game you will want to play again and again.
There has been a lot of discussion among fans about the art style of Undertale. The classic pixel art feels nostalgic and gives the game a timeless appeal. The backgrounds are simple and minimalist but the five sections have distinctive styles so the game never feels stale. The more you play the game, the more you come to appreciate the attention to detail in each character. While their appearance looks simple at first, players soon appreciate the minute changes in expression that can mirror the character’s dialogue. In fights, attacks are unique to the character, like Aaron’s sweat or Napstablook’s tears. These tiny details add complexity to the game belied by its simple pixel art style.
The art of Undertale brings the creative team’s cleverness and humor to life. Toby Fox developed a lot of the concept art. In his own words, “You don’t have to draw amazingly to make a game.” His work is brought to life by a team of talented animators and illustrators. The Undertale Art Book, published in 2016, shows the journey from Fox’s first sketches to the finished product, with his unique and hilarious insights along the way. As with everything Undertale, it’s the way the story is told that makes the book a brilliant companion to the game.
And what would Undertale be without its incredible soundtrack? Toby Fox’s masterful compositions perfectly complement the game’s atmosphere. The music adds depth and complexity that works wonderfully with the simple art style. It’s not just background sound; it helps tell the story and immerses players in the game. Whether it’s the hauntingly beautiful melodies of “His Theme” or the catchy, upbeat tunes of “Megalovania,” the music of Undertale stays with you long after you’ve finished playing. Each track captures the essence of the characters and their stories and amplifies each scene’s emotional impact in a way you won’t forget. Yoko Shimomura, the world-renowned composer and pianist known for her work on Kingdom Hearts, Live A Live, Street Fighter, and Final Fantasy XV, best described it when she said, “[Undertale] naturally came about from Toby exploring his love of games and music.”
Undertale is a game that defies time. Every aspect is crafted with care and attention to detail and infused with a quirky, infectious humor. Toby Fox’s visionary creation invites us to step into a world where every choice matters and kindness is rewarded over violence. Its message is no less powerful a decade on – and perhaps even more so in today’s world. If you haven’t already checked it out, it should be next on your list of games to play. You can download a free demo from the Undertale website to get a taste of the gameplay and characters. I guarantee you won’t regret it.
Have you played Undertale? Leave a comment to let us know what you think. And don’t forget to sign up to our email list to get Finds of the Week and our free newsletter, PopPulse Digest, delivered straight to your inbox each and every week.
This article contains links to external sellers and affiliate marketing. As Amazon Associates, we earn from qualifying sales.
I adore this game from top to bottom. You would not believe the amount of students who wanted to learn how to play Megalovania, not an easy feat. The soundtrack really inspired music students from all over. A colleague and I were able to get our performing arts groups to play some music from the game, with Toby Fox’s blessing! A definite highlight of our careers that will likely not be topped!
Wow, that’s incredible! What an amazing experience for your students! Toby Fox is an incredible composer, it’s no wonder he’s such an inspiration to other musicians. Antonio has loved Undertale for years and recommended for me to try it – I was in love instantly. Thanks so much for your lovely comment! It’s great to hear from someone who shares our love of Undertale.