How Long Does It Take to Beat Undertale?

ByJames Dorn Last Update on

As an avid gamer and content creator, I‘m often asked how much time new players should budget when experiencing a game for the first time. For indie darling Undertale, most gamers find they need 15-25 hours to fully complete their first playthrough.

Factors Affecting Playtime

Several key factors influence total playtime:

  • Route choice: Neutral, True Pacifist, or Genocide
  • Playstyle: Completionist vs main objectives
  • Prior experience: First run vs replay
  • Reading speed: Dialogue & story focused

Depending on these preferences, playtimes might be shorter or longer.

Breakdown by Route

Here‘s a comparison of average playtimes per route:

RouteAvg Playtime
Neutral6-10 hours
True Pacifist12-15 hours
Genocide8-12 hours

As shown, True Pacifist demands the most time to achieve the optimal ending. This makes sense since it requires significant backtracking and side quests.

Playstyle Comparison

Gamers focused on main quests take about 15 hours, while completionists need 20-25 hours to 100% the game.

For example, on my first playthrough I exhausted all dialogues and finished in 21 hours. However, speedrunners have finished in under 30 minutes!

Does Route Order Matter?

One strategic choice is which route order to tackle first:

OrderProsCons
Neutral > True Pacifist > GenocideCanonical StoryRepeated Early Content
Genocide > True Pacifist > NeutralUnique Ending FirstLose Impact

I‘d recommend playing Neutral initially to better understand characters before the True Pacifist ending.

Saving Genocide for last retains full emotional impact. Backtracking early locations is a necessary tradeoff.

Tips For New Players

Here are my top 3 tips for new Undertale players looking to maximize enjoyment:

  1. Take Your Time – Explore all dialogues fully on your first run. Rushing diminishes the experience.
  2. Avoid Spoilers – Go in blindly for the best surprises and plot twists!
  3. Do All Endings – Each route offers unique content essential to appreciating the full Undertale journey.

The key is immersing yourself in the wonderfully weird world of Undertale!

Conclusion

I hope this detailed look at completing Undertale assists new underground travelers in planning their adventure. Though playtimes and preferences vary, most gamers spend around 20 hours across multiple intensely gratifying playthroughs.

What‘s your take – how long did your journey last? Let‘s connect in the comments below!

James K. Dorn, a passionate gamer deeply immersed in the world of video gaming. My journey in gaming is not just about playing; it's about exploring every facet of the games I love. I am particularly fascinated by the intricate worlds of role-playing games like "The Witcher" series and "Elder Scrolls: Skyrim," where every decision shapes the story.

As a strategy game enthusiast, I spend hours devising tactics in games like "Civilization VI" and "StarCraft II," always eager to share my strategies with fellow gamers. I'm also an ardent follower of the ever-evolving landscape of indie games, finding gems like "Hollow Knight" and "Celeste" that offer unique, compelling experiences.

My content isn't just reviews; it's about deep dives into game mechanics, storytelling, and the art of game design. I love dissecting the narratives of games like "The Last of Us" and discussing the innovative gameplay of titles like "Death Stranding."

Being at the forefront of gaming news, I eagerly anticipate and share insights on upcoming releases like the next big open-world adventure or the latest in the "Final Fantasy" series. My goal is to build a community where we not only play games but also appreciate the artistry and effort behind them. Join me in this gaming journey, where every session is an adventure, and every game is a story waiting to be told.

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