Common Sense Media Review
By David Chapman
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Satirical tale endorses peaceful conflict resolution.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Play
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Undertale
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 86 parent reviews
Parents say the game offers an engaging experience with unique characters and an intricate moral system that teaches valuable lessons about friendship, decision-making, and the consequences of one's actions. However, they caution that the content can be intense for younger players, especially regarding violence and some mild swearing, and recommend that parents monitor their children's exposure to the game's themes and the surrounding community.
- moral lessons
- intense scenes
- character depth
- community caution
- age recommendations
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 538 kid reviews
Kids say that this game is a masterpiece with a unique blend of humor, emotional storytelling, and an important message about kindness and conflict resolution. While many players appreciate its engaging gameplay and memorable characters, some caution that younger children might struggle with the darker themes, particularly in routes that involve violence and difficult boss fights.
- great storytelling
- emotional impact
- diverse representation
- mixed themes
- age suitability
- humor
Summarized with AI
What's It About?
UNDERTALE is the story of a child named Frisk who mysteriously finds their way to the realm of the Underground, a place where the monsters of the world have been exiled and sealed away from the human world. Frisk learns that they'll need to survive the perils of the Underground, making their way to a great castle where there's gateway back home. Over the course of their journey, Frisk must overcome puzzling obstacles that block their progress. They will also come face to face with many of the monsters of the Underground, where they must choose their course of action. Will Frisk fight their way through the creatures, leaving a path of destruction in their wake? Or will they choose a different path, one of mercy and even friendship? Frisk's choices are yours, and those choices will change the course of the story -- as well as the fate of two worlds.
Is It Any Good?
One of the charms of Undertale is how it challenges your expectations. Sure, you could run around this dark, monster-filled world and defeat every creature you encounter. But what if you didn't? What if, instead of thinking everything was out to get you, you gave the world a chance to help? It's questions like these that the game uses to challenge what you've come to expect from an RPG (role-playing game) adventure. And it's the choices you make in these moments that shape the overall journey. In fact, if you play Undertale like any standard RPG fantasy, you're more likely to wind up the villain than the hero, with consequences that carry over even beyond the game's completion.
There are lots of things that most players expect when it comes to games. Awe-inspiring graphic fidelity, rich character development, fast-paced action, etc. By that measure, Undertale seems like it shouldn't even be a blip on most people's radar. The graphics are basic and simplistic at best. The characters seem quirky and over-the-top, with very little substance at first glance. And the action is something the game will actively encourage players to avoid on certain occasions. While this might make Undertale seem bland and boring on the surface, it doesn't take long to look beyond its deceptive initial impression and find the near-masterpiece of entertainment that lies beneath. That said, as engaging as Undertale is, it's a text-heavy adventure that requires a lot of reading comprehension from players. Plus, there's no do-over option, so minor mistakes could have major repercussions throughout the game and other playthroughs.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about choice and consequence in Undertale. How can the decisions you make and the ways you resolve conflict affect the way that others react to you? What are some positive methods for deescalating conflicts?
Talk about morality in gaming. When given a choice, do you tend to play games as a positive and heroic character, or more as an anti-hero or villain? What is the appeal of playing each side of the moral spectrum?
Game Details
- Platforms : Windows , Mac
- Pricing structure : Paid
- Available online? : Available online
- Publisher : tobyfox
- Release date : September 15, 2015
- Genre : Role-Playing
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic , Fairy Tales ) , Friendship
- ESRB rating :
- Last updated : February 7, 2026
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