Early Game Thoughts:
This is a nice fan game with some unique characters but ultimately serves as a prequel narrative to the original. I think you have to be a fan of the OG to really appreciate what this game is going for but as a huge fan of the original I can absolutely say this was a fun time. The character writing and emotional value initially wasn't as strong as Undertale's but as a fan game this was never trying to one up the original. My best way to say how I felt about the game early on is it kinda felt like good DLC for a fantastic game, as in this game doesn't quite live up to the game it's attached to when viewed as a standalone game but when viewed as an extra it absolutely adds onto the overall experience.
Neutral Route:
Unlike Undertale where I honestly think you can just do Pacifist and Genocide, this game genuinely makes Neutral worthwhile since there's a noteworthy story segment exclusive to it. I was actually shocked at the entire ending sequence of the neutral route and looking back it is 100% necessary. The plot twists and emotional value this story holds genuinely feels essential to the lore and narrative of the game. Do not play pacifist without doing a neutral run first, I genuinely mean that. Despite how crazy neutral's ending is, the game makes it out to not be the true ending, which is kind of a good thing. The game WANTS you to play neutral and then pacifist. I'm not even sure I'd consider this an ending cause it really does just feel like its intent is to set up other paths. Admittedly this route is carried by an original Undertale character which is one of a few reasons why I think you have to be a fan of the original to truly appreciate what this game is going for.
Pacifist Route:
Again, I heavily recommend neutral before this route, because you'll be left with some questions and general confusion on why some characters are absent or seemingly not important when they should've been. Pacifist in general though offers some nice character development and backstory that adds to the lore nicely. I have mixed feelings on something after the final boss, which I think many people agree with me on, but otherwise I do think this game for the most part is a great fan made prequel to Undertale. Def the best fan game of an indie title I've ever played, although admittedly I haven't played many. If I could change anything about the game it would merely be to add an Asgore boss fight where the protag loses as an end to the game. I'd prefer a bitter sweet ending like that than the way the ending was actually handled TBH.
Neutral+Pacifist Final Thoughts:
Ceroba is my favorite new character, followed by Starlo. I didn't get super attached to anyone else TBH but Martlet had some nice moments. The cast isn't as strong as Undertale's, but again this isn't trying to one up the original. It's just a really nice extra. One thing I think it does as good as Undertale though is the battles. Some backgrounds like Starlo's fight and ESPECALLY both final bosses so far look really freaking good. The combat has some really nice diversity throughout too. It really is just more Undertale in that regard.
Genocide Route:
Honestly I didn't care much for this playthrough except for the ending which was certainly neat to see play out.
Flawed Pacifist:
Ok hang on I'm writing this part 9 days later on the 13th. I just learned something almost similar to what I wanted for Pacifist does actually exist. I don't like that you have to kill exactly one enemy for that to be the case but I am glad to see the story scenario I envisioned is actually somewhat here. Again, I do not like that a kill is forced for this, but it is genuinely the ending I wanted so yay!
This is a nice fan game with some unique characters but ultimately serves as a prequel narrative to the original. I think you have to be a fan of the OG to really appreciate what this game is going for but as a huge fan of the original I can absolutely say this was a fun time. The character writing and emotional value initially wasn't as strong as Undertale's but as a fan game this was never trying to one up the original. My best way to say how I felt about the game early on is it kinda felt like good DLC for a fantastic game, as in this game doesn't quite live up to the game it's attached to when viewed as a standalone game but when viewed as an extra it absolutely adds onto the overall experience.
Neutral Route:
Unlike Undertale where I honestly think you can just do Pacifist and Genocide, this game genuinely makes Neutral worthwhile since there's a noteworthy story segment exclusive to it. I was actually shocked at the entire ending sequence of the neutral route and looking back it is 100% necessary. The plot twists and emotional value this story holds genuinely feels essential to the lore and narrative of the game. Do not play pacifist without doing a neutral run first, I genuinely mean that. Despite how crazy neutral's ending is, the game makes it out to not be the true ending, which is kind of a good thing. The game WANTS you to play neutral and then pacifist. I'm not even sure I'd consider this an ending cause it really does just feel like its intent is to set up other paths. Admittedly this route is carried by an original Undertale character which is one of a few reasons why I think you have to be a fan of the original to truly appreciate what this game is going for.
Pacifist Route:
Again, I heavily recommend neutral before this route, because you'll be left with some questions and general confusion on why some characters are absent or seemingly not important when they should've been. Pacifist in general though offers some nice character development and backstory that adds to the lore nicely. I have mixed feelings on something after the final boss, which I think many people agree with me on, but otherwise I do think this game for the most part is a great fan made prequel to Undertale. Def the best fan game of an indie title I've ever played, although admittedly I haven't played many. If I could change anything about the game it would merely be to add an Asgore boss fight where the protag loses as an end to the game. I'd prefer a bitter sweet ending like that than the way the ending was actually handled TBH.
Neutral+Pacifist Final Thoughts:
Ceroba is my favorite new character, followed by Starlo. I didn't get super attached to anyone else TBH but Martlet had some nice moments. The cast isn't as strong as Undertale's, but again this isn't trying to one up the original. It's just a really nice extra. One thing I think it does as good as Undertale though is the battles. Some backgrounds like Starlo's fight and ESPECALLY both final bosses so far look really freaking good. The combat has some really nice diversity throughout too. It really is just more Undertale in that regard.
Genocide Route:
Honestly I didn't care much for this playthrough except for the ending which was certainly neat to see play out.
Flawed Pacifist:
Ok hang on I'm writing this part 9 days later on the 13th. I just learned something almost similar to what I wanted for Pacifist does actually exist. I don't like that you have to kill exactly one enemy for that to be the case but I am glad to see the story scenario I envisioned is actually somewhat here. Again, I do not like that a kill is forced for this, but it is genuinely the ending I wanted so yay!