This review contains spoilers
The first chapter of this was perhaps too optimistic and lacked the freedom to pursue some darker secrets as its predecessor did.
Chapter 2 alone however, is straight up just as good as Undertale while standing firmly on its own from it with its new and unique setting. There is a little less freedom once again but this is entirely acceptable when that is precisely the point. I have always felt Toby Fox is a composer/storyteller first and a game designer second and certain compositions here surpass some of my all time favourites from Undertale (Attack of the Killer Queen, BIG SHOT and A CYBERS WORLD are some new favourites). The "villain" consistently made me laugh and smile throughout, I never really wanted to stop her as evil as she came across and I was very glad to realise she had decent morals after all, if initially misguided. Susie and Ralsei continue to develop which is very pleasing to see.
What elevates this above chapter 1 and even Undertale is exemplified in one character: Spamton. The whole computerised world of chapter 2 is stunningly inspired but within its darkest corners is something so deeply unsettling it upsets me to even recount now. Your first meeting is quite cutely charming with a hint of something mysteriously sinister beneath. Continuing his glitchy rabbit hole of a quest becomes increasingly lonelier and even more ominous as it progresses, culminating in a location and backstory that leaves me asking so many questions to this day. His fight is of course excellent from a gameplay and music perspective, I particularly love the distortion Undertale motifs in its conclusion and barely audible speech samples, but I feel unsatisfied in defeating him. Spamton was never really in control of himself... so who was pulling the strings? This also induces what I assume to be a panic attack in Kris afterwards. Until this point, our protagonist was typically under the players control and presented absolutely no emotion other than the confusing ending of chapter 1. This moment could mean one of two things: Kris is reflecting the players feelings following a deeply unnerving victory, or perhaps Kris demonstrates more humanity than initially presented and is afflicted with its darker cerebral aspects such as anxiety.
I'll admit, I personally prefer this chapter to Undertale, short as it is. If chapter 3 is somehow as good or better, whenever that may be then I am already 100% certain this will surpass Undertale entirely. And again, thank you for not ruining this one for me internet.
Chapter 2 alone however, is straight up just as good as Undertale while standing firmly on its own from it with its new and unique setting. There is a little less freedom once again but this is entirely acceptable when that is precisely the point. I have always felt Toby Fox is a composer/storyteller first and a game designer second and certain compositions here surpass some of my all time favourites from Undertale (Attack of the Killer Queen, BIG SHOT and A CYBERS WORLD are some new favourites). The "villain" consistently made me laugh and smile throughout, I never really wanted to stop her as evil as she came across and I was very glad to realise she had decent morals after all, if initially misguided. Susie and Ralsei continue to develop which is very pleasing to see.
What elevates this above chapter 1 and even Undertale is exemplified in one character: Spamton. The whole computerised world of chapter 2 is stunningly inspired but within its darkest corners is something so deeply unsettling it upsets me to even recount now. Your first meeting is quite cutely charming with a hint of something mysteriously sinister beneath. Continuing his glitchy rabbit hole of a quest becomes increasingly lonelier and even more ominous as it progresses, culminating in a location and backstory that leaves me asking so many questions to this day. His fight is of course excellent from a gameplay and music perspective, I particularly love the distortion Undertale motifs in its conclusion and barely audible speech samples, but I feel unsatisfied in defeating him. Spamton was never really in control of himself... so who was pulling the strings? This also induces what I assume to be a panic attack in Kris afterwards. Until this point, our protagonist was typically under the players control and presented absolutely no emotion other than the confusing ending of chapter 1. This moment could mean one of two things: Kris is reflecting the players feelings following a deeply unnerving victory, or perhaps Kris demonstrates more humanity than initially presented and is afflicted with its darker cerebral aspects such as anxiety.
I'll admit, I personally prefer this chapter to Undertale, short as it is. If chapter 3 is somehow as good or better, whenever that may be then I am already 100% certain this will surpass Undertale entirely. And again, thank you for not ruining this one for me internet.