13 Great Games Like Undertale To Play in 2022

Undertale is a 2D roleplaying game released in 2015 and created by esteemed video game developer Toby Fox. In Undertale, you control a young child who gets lost in an underground world.

Thus, the game’s main premise is to reach the surface; along the way, you will encounter various monsters and enemies. The game’s combat system makes Undertale unique and shapes how the game plays out. Enemies will attack you through FPS mechanics, with you avoiding attacks.

Interestingly, when you defeat an enemy, you can either subduing an opponent or kill it. Whatever you choose will determine the course of the game and your interactions with NPCs and other game elements.

Therefore, your actions will change the story. Toby Fox developed the game and its music and was inspired by some classic games such as Mario and Luigi; when Toby Fox released Undertale in 2015, the game ranked high amongst critics, scoring a 95 on Metacritic.

This article will outline the 13 best games like Undertale currently on the market.

Games like Undertale – Our Top Pick👌👌

1. Earthbound
2. Shovel Knight
3. Too the Moon 
4. Super Mario
5. Cuphead
6. Cybershadow
7. Persona 5 Royale
8. Deltarune
9. Alicemare
10. Detroit Become Human
11. Cave Story
12. Hollow Knight

1. Earthbound

Earthbound is one of the best RPGs of all time. Earthbound, known as Mother 2: Gīgu no Gyakushū in Japan, was first released in 1994.

The game is a roleplaying game developed by Ape Inc and HAL Laboratory. It was first published on the Nintendo Entertainment System.

Earthbound was the second game in the Mother series and had you collect melodies from defeating the evil being known as Giyas.

The game was well-received when released later in the US in 2015. The game scored very well, with major outlets such as IGN scoring in the highs 9’s. Earthbound is a classic RPG and an all-time favorite amongst fans.

Satoru Iwata, the ex-Nintendo president, and Kouji Malta helped code the game with designers like Akihiko Miura, helping to design the game. Earthbound had a long development period and took a while for the game to reach western markets.

Likewise, it wasn’t until 2013 that the game got a worldwide release. Thus, in the west, gamers haven’t managed to play the game long. Earthbound is very similar to Undertale in that both games feature a very similar art style.

Similarly, both games are RPGs and feature great roleplaying game mechanics. Thus, the games are similar. Likewise, both games have a great soundtrack and are heavily nostalgic. 

2. Shovel Knight

Shovel Knight is a 2D sidescrolling game developed by Yacht Club Games. Shovel Knight took inspiration from Mega Man and other classic 2D platformers. The game was first released in 2014 and achieved fantastic reviews on Metacritic, scoring 92.

The game received great reviews due to its nostalgic appeal and perfect execution of 2D platforming. The game is a masterclass in platforming and one of the best platformers ever.

Likewise, the game’s music and gorgeous graphics make Shovel Knight a top-tier game. Shovel Knight follows a young Knight who seeks to save his kingdom from evil and tyranny and save his lover.

At its core, the game plays how you would expect a 2D platformer to, with classic sidescrolling action. Likewise, the game takes elements from Mega Man, especially in boss fights.

The game has various bosses who vary in their abilities, with you having to take them out individually to complete the game. These bosses are unique and vary in how challenging they are. The bosses such as King Knight and Plague Knight are fan favorites and especially tricky to beat.

Bosses such as Plague Knight and King Knight also feature their campaigns through DLC. Likewise, Spectre Knight also has his campaign, with all three knights having interesting stories and backgrounds.

Similarly, the Shovel Knight series has spin-off titles like Shovel Knight Pocket Dungeon. Pocket Dungeon is a puzzle game that features roguelike mechanics and includes all the favorites from the main game.

Although not the Shovel Knight 2, many fans were hoping for, it is still a great game that any fan of the series should play.

All in all, the main Shovel Knight game is like Undertale due to its 2D platforming similarities. Both games have amazing soundtracks and unique 2D platforming gameplay.

Similarly, both games helped redefine 2D platforming in the contemporary era. Both games helped make retro 2D sidescrolling popular again, alongside big video game titles like Mario. As a result, the games are very similar.

3. Too the Moon 

To the Moon is a psychological adventure game developed by Freebird Games. It was first released in 2011 on Microsoft Windows, later coming to other platforms.

The game puts you in control of two doctors who seek to use artificial memories to fulfill a dying man’s last wish of going to the Moon.

The game is an adventure game and includes puzzle mechanics.

It is a relatively simple game with few mechanics. But that is what makes the game so good. The game focuses on its premise and story rather than its gameplay, with no combat mechanics. The story gets deeper as you explore the dying man’s memories and create new ones.

The depth of the story, combined with the game’s incredible soundtrack, makes it special. To the Moon breaks boundaries, exploring what games have not explored before; thus, it is an outstanding game.

When the game was released in 2011, it scored well with critics, scoring an 84 on Metacritic due to its unique gameplay.

Furthermore, To the Moon is also a game like Undertale in that both games feature a similar 2D art style and have an RPG element.

It is a great game worth picking up for any RPG fan. Give this game a shot if you haven’t already.  

4. Super Mario

Super Mario is one of the most popular video game series. It is also one of Nintendo’s best-loved franchises. Over the years, Super Mario has become a household name, with the popular plumber hitting the mainstream in eastern and western markets.

Likewise, since the first Super Mario game in 1996, the franchise has evolved rapidly, with the series going from classic 2D scrolling (with the first games) to full 3D with Super Mario 64 and the subsequent games after it.

Such games include the critically acclaimed Super Mario Galaxy and the highly revered Super Mario Sunshine. The series has innovated with the latest title, Super Mario Odyssey on the Nintendo Switch and even 2D titles such as Super Mario Maker.

Thus, since conception, the series has continued to develop, which has helped the franchise to stay fresh. Even within its 2D titles, Nintendo has managed to iterate off of past games.

Super Mario Odyssey incorporated distinctive 2D elements, uniquely mixing 3D and 2D. Super Mario helped inspire countless games, many of which are on this list.

The series also helped to inspire Toby Fox’s Undertale. Within Undertale, you can see how Super Mario inspired the game, with similar 2D sidescrolling and style. Thus, both franchises are alike and have very similar features.

All in all, the Super Mario games are very like Undertale. The game got inspiration from super Mario and thus, by default, are alike. Super Mario is one of the highest-regarded video game franchises of all time, and its no reason why.

Some of the greatest games of all time are from the Mario series; games like Super Mario Galaxy have near-perfect scores on Metacritic. 

5. Cuphead

Cuphead is a very popular sidescroller and one of the most popular over the last decade. Cuphead was developed by StudioMDHR and released in 2017 on Xbox and PC.

It is one of the best platformers currently on the market due to its brutal difficulty and cartoon look. Cuphead is brutally difficult to complete, pitting you against bosses and enemies with unique fight styles and gameplay.

Cuphead is also unique in its design, featuring a cartoon art style unique in video games. The game looks like something from an early 20th-century cartoon and is stunning.

The gameplay is crisp and clean, with perfectly precise gameplay required to overcome each game level. Cuphead is beautiful both in gameplay and in design. It is quite easily one of the best platformers ever to exist and one of the most unique.

Cuphead is an excellent game and should be played by all platforming lovers. It is very hard, but those up for the challenge should pick up this game.

The game is also similar to Undertale in that both feature 2D platforming. Although Cuphead is not a roleplaying game and looks distinctly different, both games are identical in their 2D nature.

Likewise, much like Shovel Knight and Undertale, Cuphead helped to innovate on the already saturated 2D platforming genre. It is truly a brilliant game that any gamer should play.

6. Cyber shadow

Cyber shadow is another 2D sidescroller that cannot be left off this list. Cybershadow is a game developed by the Shovel Knight developers Yacht Club Games.

The game is an action-adventure platformer that follows a Ninja that robots have taken over. More specifically, synthetic lifeforms. The game aims to traverse the world, uncovering why the world has gone to ruin.

Like Cuphead outlined above, the game is very hard and one of the most difficult sidescrollers on the market. Cybershadow gives you a set number of lives, and the game NPCs are challenging, making the game tough to complete.

However, this does not take away from the game but merely adds to it. Its hard difficulty, combined with its fantastic soundtrack, makes the game a standout within the platforming genre.

The game is also similar to Undertale in that both games feature sidescrolling action and pixel graphical fidelity. When Cybershadow was first released in 2021, the game scored very well, scoring an 82 on Metacritic.

7. Persona 5 Royale

Persona 5 Royale is a JRPG developed by Atlas. The game is the fifth installment in the Persona franchise and one of the best games in the series.

The game puts you in the shoes of a student codenamed the Joker, who is transferred to a new high school after being accused of assault. During their time at the school, he quickly awakens powers alongside his classmates.

The game follows the protagonist and his classmates as he explores what is known as the Metaverse, a virtual reality made up of their subconscious.

As with other games in the series, Persona 5 has you battle with shadows, with the main gameplay focusing on dungeon crawling. Persona 5 is a great game that is one of the best JRPGs ever. After the success of Persona 4, many believed nothing could come close to its predecessor.

However, Persona 5 does just that, perhaps overtaking Persona 4 in terms of gameplay quality. The game features great music, awesome combat, and advanced dungeon-crawling mechanics. The game is a masterpiece.

Persona 5 Royale is similar to Undertale as both games feature similar story-driven mechanics in terms of allowing you to choose how you tackle combat. Thus your decisions matter when engaging with enemies.

As a result, the games are very similar to one another. Persona 5 has had a couple of iterations, the latest being the release of Persona 5 Royale, an upgraded game version.

When the base game was released in 2016, the game scored high on Metacritic, scoring a 93 on the review website. Thus, ranking high up there with other games in the series. 

8. Deltarune

Deltarune is a roleplaying game developed by Undertale developer Toby Fox. The game is an RPG that follows three teenagers on a mission to save the world and is split into two chapters.

They seek to seal what is known as the Dark Fountains, encountering enemies along the way. Similarly, Undertale features the same gameplay, with FPS bullet hell attacks consisting of much of the gameplay. Deltarune is similar to Undertale in almost every way.

Including in its art style and ability to end combat peacefully, shaping how the game will turn out. It also shares a similar narrative sequence, although it resembles a Final Fantasy Game.

Deltarune is a spiritual successor to Undertale and evolves in the game in many ways. Deltarune parrels Undertale and thus is heavily influenced by it.

As a result, the game is like Undertale. When Deltarune was released in 2018, the game scored well, with critics scoring high in both game chapters.

9. Alicemare

Alicemare is an adventure game created and developed by △○□× (Miwashiba). The game follows a young boy named Allen who has lost his memory. After finding out about the death of his parents, Allen goes on an adventure to investigate a rumor.

The game is a horror adventure indie title that was released in 2016. The game is a blend of fantasy, fairytales, and storybooks with only a bit of horror.

Unlike most games that double down on the horror elements, Alicemare only includes a hint, allowing you to focus on the immersive parts of the story. As a result, the game is not bogged down by horror sequences.

Consequently, the game is a joy to play and a great indie title. Not many people know about Alicemare. It is an excellent game and worth playing if you are a fan of indie titles.

Alicemare is very similar to Undertale in terms of its art style. The game featured a beautiful pixel art style, identical to Undertale when Aliceman was released in 2016; the game scored high with game critics.

10. Detroit Become Human

Detroit Become Human is another game that is similar to Undertale. Originally released in 2018 by developers Quantic Dream, Detroit Become Human wowed the world with its interesting gameplay and unique gameplay sequences.

Detroit Become Human is an action-adventure game that follows three protagonists. The protagonists are Androids (AI), whose stories intertwine with the game’s narrative.

The game’s narrative is sprawling, mixing action-adventure gameplay with the story. Every decision has a consequence, impacting the game’s story.

The game includes many quick-time events and multiple dialogue options per event. Thus, the game has a huge narrative tree shaped by your actions. As a result, not two players have the same experience with the game due to its branching narrative.

Detroit Become Human is a fantastic game and is often underrated by gamers. The game is similar to Undertale in that they make the player make choices that shape how the game’s narrative will play out.

When Detroit Become Human was released in 2018, the game scored high with critics, with scores around 80. It is, therefore, one of the best narrative-driven games you can play.

If you are looking for a unique new game, this is the game for you.

11. Cave Story

Cave Story is a Metroidvania platformer, first released in 2004. Originally called Dōkutsu Monogatari, Daisuke Amaya developed the game.

Cave Story evolves around a robot named Quote, who wakes up suffering from memory loss and escapes a cave to figure out who he is.

Along the way, like Metroid, Quote gains access to various weapons and powerups, making him a force to be reckoned with.

Likewise, the game features puzzle elements. Cave Story follows the same gameplay mechanics and style as the Metroidvania games.

The game features fantastic powerups alongside classic platforming that is not that easy. Thus, it is just like Metroid. Similarly, the game is similar to Undertale in that both have very similar art styles.

When the game was released in 2004, the game scored high on Metacritic, scoring a 94.

12. Hollow Knight

Hollow Knight is another platforming game that is similar to Undertale. The game, much like Cave Story, is a Metroidvania game. The game was developed by Team Cherry and is regarded by fans as one of the market’s best platformers.

It was first released in 2017, scoring huge scores between 80-90 on the site. The game follows the Hollow Knight as he journeys to the Hallownest. It is similar to Undertale due to similar platforming gameplay.

📚FAQ

Final Thoughts on the games like undertake a list 

This article has outlined the 13 great games like Undertale to play in 2022. This article has highlighted the sheer diversity of games in the action-adventure genre. Undertale is a complex game and has many different components.

The games featured on this list all have attributes similar to the indie title, thus showing the diversity of the video game industry.

Likewise, this article has shed light on why Toby Fox is one of the best video game developers on the market. Toby Fox has been able to create masterpieces often single-handedly. Undertale and Deltarune are examples of this, with the developer creating pieces of video game art that are nearly flawless.

As a result, it shows that you do not need large budgets and huge development teams to develop good games. You need dedication and passion to get the job done.

Over the last five years, indie games like Undertale have seen a renaissance in gaming, with indie games exploding onto the video game scene. However, we have recently seen market saturation with titles many consider not up to par.

Thus, hopefully, the indie scene returns to form; there are some great titles out there, and it is about time we gave them more of a spotlight. Likewise, indie titles are the backbone of gaming; we must ensure it remains that way.