UnderTale announced

Solo indie dev Toby Fox has announced a surreal jRPG by the name of UnderTale., which he describes as a “traditional role-playing game where no one has to get hurt.” You might remember this game from our last Back to Back–while it remains on Kickstarter, UnderTale has long since surpassed its funding goal, which means that it’s now officially A Thing.

So what’s the premise here?

A long time ago, two races ruled peacefully over the Earth: HUMANS and MONSTERS.  One day, a terrible war broke out between the two races.  After a long battle, the humans were victorious. They sealed the monsters underground with a magical spell.

In the year 201X, a small child scales Mt. Ebott. It is said that those who climb the mountain never return.

Seeking refuge from the rainy weather, the child enters a cave and discovers an enormous hole.

Moving closer to get a better look… the child falls in.

Now, our story begins.

As for what promises to make this game special–well, just read the list of planned and existing features:

• Fighting is wholly unnecessary: negotiate your way out of danger using the unique battle system.
• Time your attacks for extra damage, then dodge enemy attacks in a style reminiscent of top-down shooters.
• Use the format of a video game to tell the story: traditional fourth-wall breaking tropes such as “SAVING,” “EXP,” and “LV” are an intergrated [sic] part of the game’s world.
• Obligatory puzzles. Lots and lots of obligatory puzzles.
• Original art and soundtrack brimming with personality.
• Captivating story with an emphasis on humor.
• Become friends with all of the bosses!
• Hilariously bad dating sim segments!
• Seriously, you can literally have a robot husband.

UnderTale is planned for release on Windows in mid-2014; there is a Windows demo and a Mac demo currently available if you want to try the game out in its early state.