REVIEW: ‘UNDERTALE: The Determination Symphony’ gathers fans for a celebration of the beloved game
There's a particular kind of excitement that comes with hearing a song you recognize before you even realize you're smiling. For UNDERTALE fans, that feeling came alive at UNDERTALE: The Determination Symphony, where familiar melodies, actual gameplay, and the energy of a room full of fans came together for one nostalgic night.
Held at Makati Proscenium on Oct. 17, the concert celebrated the soundtrack of UNDERTALE, the 2015 indie role-playing game created by Toby Fox. The game follows a human child who falls into an underground world inhabited by monsters, where players' choices shape their encounters and how the story unfolds. Beyond its distinctive characters and unconventional humor, it has become known for its memorable soundtrack, with songs that have stayed with fans long after they've finished playing.
The concert brought that music to life through a live performance by the 25-piece Filharmonika Orchestra, accompanied by actual gameplay on screen. It was a chance to revisit the world of UNDERTALE in a different way, letting fans experience its music while watching the game unfold before them.
Even before the show began, the excitement was already evident. Fans arrived dressed as characters from the game, turning the theater into a gathering place for people who shared a love for its quirky characters, memorable encounters, and emotional story.
But the real adventure began when the music started.
Every familiar tune brought a new surprise
One of the most enjoyable things about UNDERTALE: The Determination Symphony was how each song brought its own wave of recognition, anticipation, and excitement.
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Celebrating the 10th anniversary of UNDERTALE, the concert offered fans a chance to revisit the iconic game. The music is tied to specific characters, encounters, and moments, making each melody feel like a small trip down memory lane. This was especially evident as the performance revisited scenes from the game, from Flowey's unsettling introduction to the encounters with Toriel and the interactions with the colorful characters inhabiting the Underground.
The game's humor also found its way into the theater, particularly during the date with Papyrus. His quirky antics had the audience laughing, bringing the game's offbeat charm to life in a room full of fans who knew exactly what made the scene so funny.
The audience was just as invested in the decisions being made on screen. As the gameplay progressed, some fans could be heard mumbling to themselves about which choice to make next, as if they were the ones holding the controller.
Musically, the concert moved between playful, energetic, and emotional pieces, keeping the atmosphere lively throughout. The violins carried sweeping, expressive melodies, while the drums added punch and momentum to the more energetic tracks. Together with the other instruments, they created a rich, harmonious sound that gave the familiar soundtrack a new dimension. Even songs fans may have heard countless times before felt fresh when performed live, making the experience both nostalgic and beautiful.
An orchestra that got the audience involved
With conductor Thanapol Setabrahmana interacting with the crowd, the concert took on a more participatory feel. Rather than creating a strict divide between the stage and the audience, these moments made everyone feel like part of the celebration.
The performance felt less like a formal recital and more like a shared experience among fans, with the orchestra's music and the crowd's enthusiasm feeding into each other.
One of the night's biggest highlights came toward the end, when the orchestra played Megalovania, one of UNDERTALE's most recognizable tracks. The crowd erupted into screams and cheers as the high-energy song filled the theater, turning the performance into a moment of collective excitement.
It was the kind of experience that makes live music special. A track fans may have listened to countless times became something they could enjoy together, with a live orchestra performing it right in front of them. When the final notes rang out, the audience rose for a standing ovation, giving the musicians an enthusiastic send-off.
A celebration of the game and its fans
What made UNDERTALE: The Determination Symphony memorable was how it brought together what makes the game special: its music, its characters, and the community that continues to celebrate it.
The nostalgia was there, but so was the excitement of not knowing exactly how the next song would feel when heard live. The changing moods of the soundtrack, the conductor's interactions, and the audience's reactions kept the experience lively from one piece to the next.
For fans, it was an opportunity to revisit a beloved game without having to pick up a controller. The familiar scenes and melodies brought back memories, while hearing the music performed live offered a new way to appreciate a soundtrack that has remained close to the hearts of players.
By the time the standing ovation filled Makati Proscenium, the concert had become more than a performance of a popular video game soundtrack. It was a celebration of the memories attached to its music—and of the fans who continue to keep those memories alive.
Disclaimer: PhilSTAR L!fe is a media partner of 'UNDERTALE: The Determination Symphony.'
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