Undyne
Undyne | |
---|---|
Temmie Chang |
Undyne is a character in the 2015 video game
Undyne was created by
Since her appearance in Undertale, she has been met with positive reception. Undyne's sexuality, as well as her relationship with Alphys, were praised by critics for how they were depicted. She was considered one of the best characters in and out of Undertale, particularly as a female character. Her boss fights were also praised, with
Concept and creation
Undyne was created by
She was difficult for Fox to decide on a final design, both in terms of appearance and characterization, with the only consistent detail being that she would be the first boss to try to kill the protagonist. He tried various accents and hobbies, such as fashion and singing, but was not satisfied. The final concept only materialized for Fox once he began writing the monologue she spoke before her boss battle with the protagonist. At this point, he found her natural to write. Her face and body were also difficult to settle on, taking a long time to pick a final design.[1] Her first sprite by Temmie was deemed too much like a "normal knight" by Fox, who addressed this by tweaking her helmet. Other changes he made included making her waist-armor longer to avoid looking like a miniskirt and changing the lighting of the sprite to make her more intimidating.[1]
When designing a "cute outfit" for Undyne, artist Gigi commented that it looked too much like jogging clothes. A friend suggested adding a jacket, which Fox did.
When composing the theme in Undyne's first boss battle, Fox used the same trumpet sounds used by
Appearances
In
In the game's true ending route, Undyne will ask the human to deliver a love letter to Alphys, who misinterprets the letter as being from the human, going on a date with them.[9][11] Undyne shows up during the date, and Alphys ultimately admits her feelings to Undyne, at which point they talk out their feelings.[citation needed] After the human learns more about Alphys' past and reencounters Asgore, Undyne and other monsters show up to stop the fight. However, the antagonist Flowey shows up, taking the monsters' souls and becoming his true form, Asriel Dreemurr, forcing the human to defeat him and rescue the souls of Undyne and the others. After managing to pacify Asriel, the human is able to break the barrier, freeing the monsters from the Underground.[citation needed] During the end credits, Undyne and Alphys are seen at the beach, where Undyne kisses Alphys.[citation needed] If the human instead makes a point of killing every monster possible before fighting Undyne, a child named Monster Kid, who had been trying to befriend the human, finds themselves nearly dying by the human's hands; however, Undyne steps in the way, nearly dying in the process. Due to an abundance of "Determination," the quality that allows the human to survive death, she manages to survive, transforming into Undyne the Undying and vowing to destroy the human in order to save monsters, humans, and all other life.[12][citation needed]
Undyne also appears in Deltarune, a video game featuring multiple characters from Undertale, though in a different incarnation than the one in Undertale. She works as a cop instead of a knight.[13] Cosmetics based on her were included in Among Us, alongside other Undertale characters.[14]
Promotion and reception
Undyne has received multiple pieces of merchandise. A
Since her appearance in Undertale, she has received generally positive reception, with Kotaku writer Kirk Hamilton identifying her one of Undertale's most memorable characters.[12] IGN staff praised her for her charm, which they explained comes from being able to see her from "multiple facets" depending on the player's play style. This ranges from her being a "fairly intimidating warrior" if the player kills any monsters or, if they are doing the genocide route, the "hero of the game." Additionally, they note how the pacifist route shows her as someone who cares deeply for those she loves.[21] Writer Evan Marzahn similarly discussed Undyne's changing dynamic, highlighting how characters could be both good or bad, and how the genocide route makes Undyne serve as a heroic character against the human's villainous nature.[22]
She has been considered among the best female characters by multiple critics. Game Informer writer Elise Favis identified as both one of her favorite female characters of 2015 and one of the best Undertale characters. She praised her for being "at times terrifying and merciless."[23] Polygon writer Allegra Frank also regarded her as one of the best video game women of 2015, saying that she was the best female character to choose from in Undertale. She praised her character arc, going from an antagonizer who is "frightening and merciless" to having more depth. She discussed Undyne's reluctance to accept the human's friendship, as well as discussing how her romantic interest in Alphys helps drive players towards completing the "true pacifist" route. She also appreciated how she has a "no-holds-barred approach to everything," as well as her having her own vulnerabilities and insecurities despite that, finding her arc among Undertale's "most compelling."[7] She has also been praised as a favorite LGBTQ character by multiple critics, including Nintendo Life writer Kate Gray.[24] In an article celebrating LGBTQ representation in video games, RPGFan writer Stephanie Sybydlo regarded the relationship between Undyne and Alphys as best encapsulating the article, encouraging Undertale players to help ensure that they get together.[25] Writer Max Delsohn discussed their gender journey and how they reacted negatively to certain media, including what they describe as "Alphys and Undyne's easy, lesbian love in a whimsical, faraway world" due to the complications they were undergoing.[26]
Undyne's boss fights and music have been well-received. Elise Favis identified her boss fight as one of the best, giving additional praise to her battle theme.[23] The boss battle in the genocide route Undyne was considered a favorite by Game Informer writer Daniel Tack.[27] Writer Matthew Perez discussed how Undyne and her music contrasted the earlier game's "whimsical aesthetics," calling her first theme - "Undyne" - "haunting and threatening" - which he felt matched Undyne. He discussed how "Waterfall" using elements later associated with Undyne helped "create a relationship between [Undyne] and current gaming environment." He later talked about the genocide route, talking about how Undyne's selfless actions of protecting Monster Kid with her life contrasted the protagonist's selfish actions, representing Toby Fox's interest in clarifying the "notions of good and evil." He noted that, despite her violent nature, she is given tonal tracks due to the "purported noble intentions with which they operate."[6] When analyzing Undyne's leitmotif, writer Jason Yu noted that it appeared well before her actual theme in other themes such as her first encounter, as well as the themes of Waterfall and the Ruins. He discussed her Undyne the Undying theme, "Battle Against a True Hero," feeling it represents Undyne after she has been "maxed out, stretched to her limits." He also pointed out that Undyne's theme, similar to the other two female characters (Toriel and Alphys), have a triple meter for their themes, as opposed to the male characters, whose themes are in common time.[28] Writer Tobias Salte Klausen discussed the concept of ludonarrative resonance semiotic metaphor, citing examples such as Undyne's attacks growing more sluggish in battle, suggesting Undyne was growing more weary. They also cited how the ability to run away was removed during this fight, requiring players to follow Undyne's comment about needing to face her head on so long as the human's heart is locked in place. They noted that Undyne is the first boss character where the player lacked an emotional connection to, contrasting Papyrus and Toriel, and that they only get to see their perspective once they begin the battle with Undyne.[29]
References
- ^ ISBN 1945908998.
- ^ Alexandra, Heather (January 9, 2017). "Undertale Creator Shares Notebook Full Of Early Concepts And Art". Kotaku. Archived from the original on August 3, 2017. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
- ^ @tobyfox (November 17, 2016). "Temmie @tuyoki drew these super early Undynes. I originally envisioned her head looking kind of like an Axem Ranger's" (Tweet). Archived from the original on November 20, 2017 – via Twitter.
- ^ a b "Undertale Deltarune". Weekly Famitsu. March 19, 2019.
- ^ Frank, Allegra (September 14, 2016). "Even Undertale's cut tracks are total jams". Polygon. Archived from the original on January 11, 2024. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
- ^ a b Perez, Matthew (2017). "Undertale: A Case Study in Ludomusicolog". Archived from the original on January 13, 2024. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
- ^ a b Frank, Allegra (December 27, 2015). "The best video game women of 2015". Polygon. Archived from the original on May 28, 2023. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
- ^ Cobbett, Richard (November 21, 2016). "The RPG Scrollbars: memories of evil and wickedness". Rock Paper Shotgun. Archived from the original on January 26, 2024. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
- ^ a b Ackroyd, Luke (August 3, 2023). "Undertale: 10 Tips For Getting The True Pacifist Ending". The Gamer. Archived from the original on January 20, 2024. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
- ^ D'onofrio, Matthew (March 18, 2021). "Undertale: 8 Things We Wish We Knew Before Starting The Neutral Route". Game Rant. Archived from the original on March 11, 2024. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
- ^ D'onofrio, Matthew (March 22, 2021). "Undertale: 8 Things We Wish We Knew Before Starting The True Pacifist Route". Game Rant. Archived from the original on May 24, 2023. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
- ^ a b Hamilton, Kirk (January 14, 2016). "A Very Anime Fan Theory About Undertale's Undyne". Kotaku. Archived from the original on January 11, 2024. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
- ^ Higham, Michael (November 12, 2018). "Deltarune Is A Beautiful Extension Of A Deeper Undertale Universe". GameSpot. Archived from the original on May 30, 2019. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
- ^ "『Among Us』で『UNDERTALE』の「サンズ」や「アンダイン」になれる。『セレステ』や『クリプト・オブ・ネクロダンサー』など人気インディーゲームのスキンが一挙に登場". Den Fami Nico Gamer. November 29, 2023. Archived from the original on January 11, 2024. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
- ^ Kiya, Andrew (August 19, 2022). "Undertale Undyne Nendoroid is Open for Pre-order". Siliconera. Archived from the original on January 11, 2024. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
- ^ McClusky, Kevin (October 28, 2016). "Undertale 'little buddies' toy commercial has a lot of heart". Destructoid. Archived from the original on January 11, 2024. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
- ^ a b "dFangamerにて「UNDERTALE」最新グッズの販売がスタート。新春初売りのセールも実施". 4gamer. January 6, 2020. Archived from the original on January 11, 2024. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
- ^ "「UNDERTALE」「DELTARUNE」など4タイトルのグッズがオンラインストアで発売に". 4gamer. June 2, 2022. Archived from the original on January 11, 2024. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
- ^ "「UNDERTALE」新グッズが発売に。Fangamer Japanの"新春初売り祭"も開催中". 4gamer. January 6, 2022. Archived from the original on January 11, 2024. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
- ^ "「UNDERTALE」のアミューズメント専用景品が8月18日より順次登場。サンズやパピルスたちがアクリルプレートやぬいぐるみ,クッションに". 4gamer. August 8, 2022. Archived from the original on January 11, 2024. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
- ^ "Our Favorite LGBTQ Characters in Video Games". IGN. June 17, 2022. Archived from the original on January 11, 2024. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
- ^ Marzahn, Evan (Spring 2017). ""Don't You Have Anything Better to Do?" : A Care-Focused Feminist Analysis of Undertale". Augustana College. Archived from the original on December 18, 2023. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
- ^ a b Favis, Elise (March 8, 2016). "Our Picks For Best Female Characters From The Past Year". Game Informer. Archived from the original on October 1, 2022. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
- ^ Gray, Kate (June 2, 2023). "Best LGBTQ+ Switch Games". Nintendo Life. Archived from the original on November 15, 2023. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
- ^ Sybydlo, Stephanie (June 28, 2021). "Pride & Progress: Celebrating LGBTQIA+ Representation in RPGs". RPGFan. Archived from the original on December 10, 2023. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
- ISBN 1644452626. Archivedfrom the original on January 11, 2024. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
- ^ Tack, Daniel (December 2, 2015). "Does Undertale Live Up To The Hype?". Game Informer. Archived from the original on April 7, 2016. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
- ^ Yu, Jason (April 14, 2016). "An Examination of Leitmotifs and Their Use to Shape Narrative in UNDERTALE - Part 2 of 2". Game Developer. Archived from the original on July 16, 2023. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
- ^ Klausen, Tobias Salte (2022). "When Reader Becomes Player" (PDF). University of Agder. Archived (PDF) from the original on January 11, 2024. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
External links
- Media related to Undyne at Wikimedia Commons