In 2015, there was one game that hit the Internet, and hit the Internet hard. It was a game called Undertale, a single player story about choices and how they affect the world around you. Depending on how you confronted enemies, you could either be considered an angel in disguise, or a murderous psychopath. Needless to say, this game was an instant hit for its unforgettable characters, interesting plot, and unique graphics. So when Deltarune, a game made by and released by the same developer was announced, I was extremely surprised as Undertale had almost faded from my memory.

As soon as I opened up the game, nostalgia came flooding back. The simple graphics combined with the 8-bit electronic melodies brought back memories of eighth grade. I knew I was in for an experience.

The story is interesting, an apparent either prequel or alternate universe tale with some of the same characters from Undertale. But keep in mind — they have no recollection of the events of the previous game. This allows the plot to continue, with only minor references to the past title.

The story revolves around you, a human named Kris, being locked in a closet with the class troublemaker, a humanoid monster named Susie. The floor in the closet gives way and you wake up deep underground, in the middle of a conflict between light and dark. You meet the dark prince Ralsei, who offers to help you on your journey. As you progress deeper and deeper into the underground, you encounter funny creatures and nefarious enemies that you can either approach violently or passively, just like in Undertale.

The gameplay has been revamped, with you still encountering enemies and engaging in the turn based battle system. You still have the options of the pacifist playthrough, or the violent, combative approach. Having multiple characters to control adds a fresh new twist to this game. Outside of battle, the environment is colorful and dramatic, showing that this really isn’t the same world you’ve entered before.

Another aspect that really added to the gameplay was the soundtrack. The new songs fit the scenes that they are played in to a tee, with the battle theme really showcasing the composer, Toby Fox’s talent. I found myself listening to songs from the game even after I completed it.

Over all, I was impressed by this spiritual successor to one of the the best games of 2015. It had callbacks to the past with enough new material to prove it wasn’t just an attempt to cash in on its popularity. I enjoyed Chapter One of Deltarune, and I can’t wait to see more as the game evolves.