History VideoGame / TheHalloweenHack

* MythologyGag: The Hack's [[MixAndMatchCritters Amalgamate]] enemies [[note]]which were themselves the inspiration for an enemy of the same name in ''Undertale''[[/note]] are [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin amalgamations of multiple previous enemies]] encountered in the Hack's version of the Sea of Eden, much like the Last Battles from Radiation's previous [=EarthBound=] hack, ''Arn's Winter Quest''. They even have a little speech bubble that says "I'm Old!" Next to their sprite, which was taken directly from the Last Battles (who themselves took it from the miniboss Starman Senior).

* MythologyGag: The Hack's [[MixAndMatchCritters Amalgamate]] enemies [[note]]which were themselves the inspiration for an enemy of the same name in ''Undertale''[[/note]] are [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin amalgamations of multiple previous enemies]] encountered in the Hack's version of the Sea of Eden, much like the Last Battles from Radiation's previous VideoGame/{{EarthBound|1994}} hack, ''Arn's Winter Quest''. They even have a little speech bubble that says "I'm Old!" Next to their sprite, which was taken directly from the Last Battles (who themselves took it from the miniboss Starman Senior).

* MythologyGag: The Hack's [[MixAndMatchCritters Amalgamate]] enemies [note]which were themselves the inspiration for an enemy of the same name in ''Undertale''[/note] are [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin amalgamations of multiple previous enemies]] encountered in the Hack's version of the Sea of Eden, much like the Last Battles from Radiation's previous EarthBound hack, ''Arn's Winter Quest''. They even have a little speech bubble that says "I'm Old!" Next to their sprite, which was taken directly from the Last Battles (who themselves took it from the miniboss Starman Senior).

* FinalBoss: [[spoiler:Dr. Andonuts]] fills the spot, given he's the one you're being paid to kill.

%%* FinalBoss: [[spoiler:Dr. Andonuts fills the spot.]]
* FleshEatingZombie: The Monster and the Uberhaunt enemies. Both have sprites with blood dripping from their hands and mouths, implying that they eat flesh. [[spoiler:WordOfGod said that one of the Monster enemies was the one who killed and ate the Rosemaries in the beginning of the game.]]

%%* FourEyesZeroSoul: [[spoiler:Dr. Andonuts,]] eventually.
%%* {{Gayngst}}: [[spoiler:Dr. Andonuts. His {{Gayngst}} is even a boss!]]

%%* HubWorld: Magicant.

%%* JumpScare: The Phaze Destrortur's appearance.

* TheReasonYouSuckSpeech: [[spoiler:Dr. Andonuts]] delivers one to Varik before the final battle, claiming that Varik is not a hero and that he should leave the doctor alone.

The story starts off several months after the end of ''[=EarthBound=]''. An anachronistic BountyHunter named Varik (of ''VideoGame/{{Brandish}}'' fame) is hired by ex-mayor B. H. Pirkle, now campaigning on a law & order platform, to track down a mysterious creature who mutilated and ate a little girl's parents in Twoson. Along the way, he encounters increasingly horrible things as the adventure takes him all the way to Winters. This isn't your average Halloween game, though -- its content is comparable to games like ''Franchise/SilentHill'' and ''VideoGame/YumeNikki''. This is easily one of the most disturbing ''[=EarthBound=]'' hacks to come out... well, ever, really.

* FanSequel: The Halloween Hack takes place in one of ''VideoGame/{{Earthbound}}'s'' offshoot timelines.

* HellIsThatNoise: The background music for the Evil Ecto battle is just a single groaning sound played over and over again. Several other songs from the original ''Earthbound'' that were only meant for brief disturbing scenes have been repurposed as battle music, too.

* RemixedLevel: Many of the ''VideoGame/EarthBound'' maps are reused in different contexts. For instance, the Twoson Sewers map is an edit of the Fourside Sewers map.

Creator/TobyFox's[[note]]Yes, [[VideoGame/{{Undertale}} it's]] ''[[VideoGame/{{Deltarune}} that]]'' Toby Fox[[/note]] Halloween Hack, also known as "Press the B Button, Stupid!" is an award-winning ROM hack FanSequel of the 1994 cult classic RPG ''VideoGame/{{EarthBound|1994}}''. It was released in 2008, under Fox's old internet alias of Radiation.

* TheCameo: Varik is the main character from ''VideoGame/{{Brandish}}.''[[note]]The game is using his name from the English SNES version. His original name, Ares, is also selectable during the opening.[[/note]] A song from ''Brandish''[='s=] sequel, named "Synchronicity", is remixed in the game's soundtrack.

** [[spoiler: One of Dr. Andonuts's Attacks is to jed the entire party in the crotch enormously hard. This attack can poison the party and is harming Paula as much as it harms Varik, Jeff and Poo, if not more considering her GlassCannon status. [[note]] Which is TruthInTelevision; a Groin Attack can harm girls as much as it harms guys.[[/note]]]]

* GroinAttack: One of the three "NO!" bosses is a crotch and as an enemy, it needs to be beaten.

** The Amalgamate also deserves special mention; it is basically [[NightmareFuel the Desire Dog's face]], the Transdimension Template's body, the Remnants' right arm, the Brain Buster's body, and the Giegue League's face thrown together into a single monster and has the ability to [[AnAxeToGrind transform into a giant axe and swing itself at you]].

Creator/TobyFox's[[note]]Yes, [[VideoGame/{{Undertale}} it's]] ''[[VideoGame/{{Deltarune}} that]]'' Toby Fox[[/note]] Halloween Hack, also known as "Press the B Button, Stupid!" is an award-winning ROM hack FanSequel of the 1994 cult classic roleplaying video game ''VideoGame/{{EarthBound|1994}}''. It was released in 2008, under Fox's old internet alias of Radiation.

** Just in case you feel like the confrontation with [[spoiler:Andonuts]] is too downbeat. It's probably the most-quoted JRPG line in recent memory.

* AbsurdlyHighLevelCap: Like ''VideoGame/{{EarthBound|1994}}, levels go up to 99. However, by the time you reach the FinalBoss, the party should be around anywhere between the late 10s and mid-20s at most, even with LevelGrinding.

* ForcedLevelGrinding: If you're planning on making it through the Twoson sewers, then later [[spoiler:to Andonuts' lab]], and then [[spoiler:through the memory areas in Andonuts' Magicant]], you're going to do a fair bit of level grinding just before said areas, even if you're smart enough to know the status spells aren't [[UselessUsefulSpell useless.]]

* NewAgeRetroHippie: Obsessive Recyclers. They are an obvious PaletteSwap of the Hippies and live in Twoson sewers.

* PointOfNoReturn: Lots, since ButThouMust is a major theme of the game: entering the Winters sewers, entering the World of Doom, entering [[spoiler:Dr. Andonuts' lab]], entering [[spoiler:Magicant]], and finally, entering the final BossRoom.

%%* WhamEpisode: The Winters sewers.

** Just as you enter the Winter sewers.

Creator/TobyFox's[[note]]Yes, [[VideoGame/{{Undertale}} it's]] ''[[VideoGame/{{Deltarune}} that]]'' Toby Fox[[/note]] Halloween Hack, also known as "Press the B Button, Stupid!" is an award-winning ROM hack FanSequel of the 1995 cult-classic-role-playing-video-game ''VideoGame/EarthBound''. It was released in 2008, under Fox's old internet alias of Radiation.

The story starts off several months after the end of ''VideoGame/EarthBound''. An anachronistic BountyHunter named Varik (of ''{{VideoGame/Brandish}}'' fame) is hired by ex-mayor B. H. Pirkle, now campaigning on a law & order platform, to track down a mysterious creature who mutilated and ate a little girl's parents in Twoson. Along the way, he encounters increasingly horrible things as the adventure takes him all the way to Winters. This isn't your average Halloween game, though — its content is comparable to games like ''Franchise/SilentHill'' and ''VideoGame/YumeNikki''. This is easily one of the most disturbing ''VideoGame/EarthBound'' hacks to come out... well, ever, really.

For a much LighterAndSofter VideoGame/EarthBound Halloween hack alternative, see ''VideoGame/HallowsEnd''.

* AbsurdlyHighLevelCap: Like VideoGame/EarthBound, levels go up to ninety nine. However, by the time you reach the final boss, the party should be around anywhere between late tens-mid twenties at most, even with LevelGrinding.

* AdaptationalVillainy: [[spoiler:In ''VideoGame/EarthBound'', Dr. Andonuts is an eccentric inventor, ally to the main cast, and Jeff's father. Here, he's an insane and depraved villain.]]
* AlternateTimeline: This game is set after the end of ''VideoGame/EarthBound'', [[spoiler:but the Chosen Four didn't return since they were sent to a timeline created when Giygas was killed in the past. Dr. Andonuts went mad with grief because he thought he killed them]].

* BodyHorror: ''The Uberhaunt'' ''[[DepartmentOfRedundancyDepartment ripped out your innards out!]]''

* BrokenAesop: [[spoiler:Dr. Andonuts and the narration itself try to shame the player for attacking the poor insane wretch the scientist has become. Nevermind that he is creating murderous monsters to kill all life. If you murder him without bothering to enter his mind, the game treats it as a bad ending in which Varik died or went insane. But even if you enter his mind, you can't get him to recover and you just end up killing him anyway.]]
* TheCameo: Varik is the main character from ''VideoGame/{{Brandish}}.''[[note]]The game is using his name from the English SNES version. His original name, Ares, is also selectable during the opening.[[/note]] A song from Brandish's sequel, named "Synchronicity", is remixed in the game's soundtrack.

* ClusterFBomb: After TheReasonYouSuckSpeech [[spoiler:Dr. Andonuts delivers before fighting you as the FinalBoss, he proceeds to tell you he'll shove your ass so far down your throat that when you crap you'll sing fucking Beethoven]]. EXACTLY that.[[note]][[ComicallyMissingThePoint Nevermind that Beethoven mainly composed symphonies and sonatas, so "singing Beethoven" doesn't make much sense.]][[/note]]

** [[spoiler:Dr. Andonuts' situation is certainly reminiscent of Porky's role in the [[VideoGame/EarthBound original game]].]]
* ContrastingSequelMainCharacter: According to Radiation, he changed Ness, the baseball-hatted teenage protagonist of ''VideoGame/EarthBound'', into Varik, a mysterious, shadowy-faced medieval bounty hunter. This serves to alienate the player from the idea of the ''VideoGame/EarthBound'' theme, and set a darker mood.

* CutHisHeartOutWithASpoon: Just in case you feel like the confrontation with [[spoiler:Andonuts]] is too downbeat. It's probably the most-quoted JRPG line in recent memory.
-->"Varik.\\

** Similarly, if you ''somehow'' manage to get all the way to Onett [[BorderPatrol without getting completely flattened by the enemies along the way]], you'll find it blocked off by Onett's famous police force, and the nearby house has an NPC that [[LampshadeHanging lampshades]] that, no, there's no super powerful weapon or equipment you'll get for making it past all those enemies. [[spoiler:Though, you do find a present with a nice hat in it along the way which blocks the effects of [[OneHitKill Whiteshock.]]]]
* DidNotDoTheBloodyResearch: Assuming [[spoiler:Dr. Andonuts]] is a native Foggylander (which is the equivalent of the United Kingdom in the ''VideoGame/EarthBound'' verse), it seems weird that he would use the word "fag" as an insult rather than a cigarette.

* EarlyGameHell: Much like in ''VideoGame/EarthBound'', the early game is rather brutal even if you go out of your way to grind for better equips and unlock Varik's magic. The sewers will quickly swarm you with enemies that easily overpower you or stun Varik, and since he's the only character you have at the time, it's incredibly easy [[CycleOfHurting to get stun-locked into oblivion]]. Even when you get past it, the enemies in [[spoiler:Winters]] can easily wipe you out due to their high attack power and, due to a combination of Varik having low PP and inventory space, the best chance of getting through it is to avoid most of them if you can. Once you get to [[spoiler:Magicant]] and start getting more party members, things start to get decidedly easier… [[NintendoHard in certain aspects, at any rate.]]
* EldritchAbomination: The whole game is ''packed'' full of them, both enemies and bosses alike. Starting when Varik enters deep in the heart of Twoson's sewers. The Desire Dog is one particularly hideous and disturbing creature, with [[NightmareFuel melting, dripping, oozing tentacles]] for a face.

** Out of all these eldritch abominations, however, the [[NamesToRunAwayFromReallyFast Phaze Destrortur]] is easily the most disturbing. It represents [[spoiler:the deformation of Dr. Andonuts' mental image of the original Phase Distorter due to his guilt over the deaths of the Chosen Four]], hence its [[NightmareFuel horrifically disturbing]] [[JumpScare appearance]] which resembles a robotic, [[PsychoElectro electrically hazardous]], bloodshot-eyed Mr. Saturn with a hideously and grotesquely malformed mouth, creepy legs, untended hair, and a giant, [[TearsOfBlood blood-crying]] [[ThirdEye eyeball tumor]] growing out of its body. Still, it has [[SugarWiki/AwesomeMusic arguably the most uniquely fitting battle theme in the game]].

* EvilKnockoff: The Transdimension Terminate {{Mook}}. It looks like Ness' robot from the very end of ''VideoGame/EarthBound'' and can cast Lightning Alpha every turn.

* {{Gorn}}: Twoson Sewers part 2 in particular, but everything from there on features some degree of gorn.

** Apparently, Varik is supposed to be [[IJustWantToBeBadass a wannabe badass]], as the creator of the hack said that he's actually utterly terrified of all the monsters he's sent to kill, as well as having the lowest stat total of anyone in the party. [[TheSoCalledCoward Not that it stops him from doing it anyway, or have any troubles doing it in the process,]] nor does it [[spoiler:stop him from willingly going into Andonuts' Magicant in an attempt to bring him back to something resembling sanity]]. The only thing that really [[ShowDontTell shows instead of tells]] you that he might be this is waking up in a pile of his own puke at the start of the game after passing out while getting drunk, and even ''then''...
** If anything, Varik comes off as more of a {{Determinator}} and/or a NoRespectGuy to the player than a wannabe badass. In fact, the only one who really calls Varik out on this flaw is [[spoiler:Dr. Andonuts in the final battle]], and considering [[JumpingOffTheSlipperySlope he wasn't exactly all that there either]], nor does Varik really react to it…

** Similarly, are the Paula, Jeff, and Poo [[spoiler:the same ones who were transported to the alternate timeline, who have somehow figured out a way to bridge the gap and attempt to help Dr. Andonuts back to sanity? Or are they just creations conjured up by Andonuts' own psyche based off his memories from them? Considering the "courage" you frequently talk to in his Magicant sounds like it's speaking as if it's each one of them, respectively, and seems to know things Andonuts' himself shouldn't… (Such as the fact that the chosen four ''did'' survive their trip to the past and back again…)]]
* MissingMom: [[spoiler:Jeff's]] mom is shown in a flashback leaving [[spoiler:Dr. Andonuts and later dying]], explaining why she's not seen in ''VideoGame/EarthBound''.
* MonstrosityEqualsWeakness: The Id is frightening-looking, but it doesn't even try to fight you. However, after defeating it, [[spoiler:Dr. Andonuts goes back to looking human… and then uses his mind power to turn into a PSI-wielding, profanity-spouting superhuman]].
* MoodWhiplash: The game starts out silly and irreverent, just like the canon ''MOTHER'' games. Then you open a door in the Twoson Sewers and the game transforms into something much darker. [[spoiler:Then you enter Dr. Andonuts' mind, which is nothing ''but'' mood whiplash in all directions.]]

* MuseumOfTheStrangeAndUnusual: The Death Museum. It features models of [[spoiler:Paula, Jeff, Poo, and Dr. Andonuts's wife. A mental construct of Dr. Andonuts in said museum claims he is proud of killing the Chosen Four]].
** Most creepily, it has a pedestal perfectly fit for Varik. The blank pedestal is confused about who Varik is.
* MusicalNod: "The Id" is not an original song by Toby, like "Meglovania". It's a remix of ''VideoGame/FinalFantasy Legends III'''s "Ending Sol's Demise". Both boss battles are similar, as well.

* NinetiesAntiHero: Varik is made to look like this, what with being a brooding, alcoholic bounty hunter with a DarkAndTroubledPast. We quickly find out this is not played straight at all — [[ClassicalAntiHero his stats suck, and he's honestly scared of the undead monsters]].

* NoIndoorVoice: The… ''[[EldritchAbomination THINGS]]'' in [[spoiler:Dr. Andonuts' consciousness]] tend to yell a lot. It's creepier than it sounds.

* OurMonstersAreWeird: [[spoiler:In Dr. Andonuts's mind]], you will see [[NightmareFuel the weirdest and creepiest shit…]]

** The Remnant enemy is a goopy, melty version of the Starman {{Mook}} from ''VideoGame/EarthBound''. They were probably beaten by Ness and came back through sheer will and determination.

* QuirkyBard: Varik himself. His stats are notably lower than Ness', and unlike him, he doesn't have a single offense PSI- er… ''magic'' attack. All his magic abilities are status inducers. [[UselessUsefulSpell This is less useless than you'd think, though]], as those status inducers ''will'' be needed [[NintendoHard if you want to even hope to get through this game.]] He can also equip all of Poo's equipment, although some of them are actually weaker than what is exclusive to him. [[note]]For example, the Sword of Kings is a point weaker than his own Rapier.[[/note]]

* TurnsRed: [[spoiler:Dr. Andonuts]] as his attacks become progressively more dangerous.

** The Id boss was based on one of the {{Final Boss}}es from ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyLegendIII.'' Specifically, it was meant to be an inversion.

** Radiation has confirmed that Megalovania, the FinalBoss theme, was named after Transylvania and the ''VideoGame/LiveALive'' boss theme Megalomania. [[spoiler:The similar ideals behind Odio and Dr. Andonuts, especially their hatred, is also notable.]]

* VideoGamesAndFate: The game is basically deconstructing the idea of games that force their player to do things they don't want to do, yet the player still does it anyways for the sake of completing the game or seeing more content (which Toby Fox further explores in ''{{VideoGame/Deltarune}}''). Even the InterfaceScrew choice isn't really a choice because the outcome is the same, though showing agency and going against the game's will nets you the good ending. [[spoiler:Dr. Andonuts still dies. But hey, at least Varik doesn't!]]

* WhamLine: Just as you enter the Winter sewers.
-->"Oh, no. Oh, no no NO."

* WombLevel: The last, eerie walk into the center of [[spoiler:Dr. Andonuts']] mind seems to take place on a large, pulsating optic nerve/brain… thing.

%%* BlindingBangs: Varik's hair.

** Similarly, if you ''somehow'' manage to get all the way to Onett [[BorderPatrol without getting completely flattened by the enemies along the way]], you'll find it blocked off by Onett's famous police force, and the nearby house has an NPC that [[LampshadeHanging lampshades]] that, no, there's no super powerful weapon or equipment you'll get for making it past all those enemies. [[spoiler:Though, you do find a present with a NiceHat in it along the way which blocks the effects of [[OneHitKill Whiteshock.]]]]

Nowadays, Toby Fox himself isn't too enthused about the project in hindsight, having publicly admitted to regarding it as somewhat of an OldShame that he wouldn't seriously recommend anyone to play (though he is also quite aware that this probably won't stop curious people from seeking it out). Nevertheless, the hack remains quite interesting, as it contains quite a few story elements and themes that Fox would expand and refine upon in his later, more professional endavors ''VideoGame/{{Undertale}}'' and ''VideoGame/{{Deltarune}}''.

** This hack has a bizarre subversion easily described as a FanNickname Dang It. At one point, you're presented with a choice that appears to only have one real option, and that option just gives you a DownerEnding.[[note]]In that case, Press The B Button, Stupid![[/note]]

Nowadays, Toby Fox himself isn't too enthused about the project in hindsight, having publicly admitted to regarding it as somewhat of an OldShame that he wouldn't seriously recommend anyone to play (though he is also quite aware that probably won't stop curious people from seeking it out). Nevertheless, the hack remains quite interesting, as it contains quite a few story elements and themes that Fox would expand and refine upon in his later, more professional endavors ''VideoGame/{{Undertale}}'' and ''VideoGame/{{Deltarune}}''.

Nowadays, Toby Fox himself isn't too enthused about the project in hindsight, having publicly admitted to regarding it as somewhat of an OldShame that he wouldn't seriously recommend anyone to play. Nevertheless, the hack remains quite interesting, as it contains quite a few story elements and themes that Fox would expand and refine upon in his later, more professional endavors ''VideoGame/{{Undertale}}'' and ''VideoGame/{{Deltarune}}''.

* AdaptationalVillainy: [[spoiler: In ''VideoGame/EarthBound'', Dr. Andonuts is an eccentric inventor, ally to the main cast, and Jeff's father. Here, he's an insane and depraved villain.]]
* AlternateTimeline: This game is set after the end, [[spoiler:but the Chosen Four didn't return since they were sent to a timeline created when Giygas was killed in the past. Dr. Andonuts went mad with grief because he thought he killed them.]]

** The NO trio represents [[spoiler:Dr. Andonuts' homosexuality.]] Notably, you can choose to run away or fight them for the experience. The game progresses the same way, leaving what consequence defeating the NO Trio actually causes up to the player's imagination.
** Phaze Destrotur represents [[spoiler:Dr. Andonuts' guilt over the "deaths" of the Chosen Four.]]

* BattleInTheCenterOfTheMind: [[spoiler:In Dr. Andonuts' mind where they fight his personal demons as well as the doctor himself.]]

* ClusterFBomb: After TheReasonYouSuckSpeech [[spoiler: Dr. Andonuts delivers pre-final boss, he proceeds to tell you he'll shove your ass so far down your throat that when you crap you'll sing fucking Beethoven.]] EXACTLY that.[[note]][[ComicallyMissingThePoint Nevermind that Beethoven mainly composed symphonies and sonatas, so "singing Beethoven" doesn't make much sense.]][[/note]]

** [[spoiler:Dr. Andonuts' situation is certainly reminiscent of Porky's role in the [[VideoGame/EarthBound original game.]]]]

* EarlyGameHell: Much like in VideoGame/EarthBound, the early game is rather brutal even if you go out of your way to grind for better equips and unlock Varik's magic. The sewers will quickly swarm you with enemies that easily overpower you or stun Varik, and since he's the only character you have at the time, it's incredibly easy to get stun locked into oblivion. Even when you get past it, the enemies in [[spoiler:Winters]] can easily wipe you out due to their high attack power and, due to a combination of Varik having low PP and inventory space, the best chance of getting through it is to avoid most of them if you can. Once you get to [[spoiler:Magicant]] and start getting more party members, things start to get decidedly easier... [[NintendoHard in certain aspects, at any rate.]]

** Despite the fact that the hack intends for you to use status PSI as much as possible in battles if you want to survive, Varik barely gets ''any'' PP in order to effectively make use of this. At most, you may be able to get use of one, maybe two status PSI' before his PP runs out, in a game that likes to get spam happy with monsters that can easily overpower the group otherwise. This usually means several tedious turns of using PSI magnet to drain PP and get back to full, only to make minimal progress and have to resort to this tactic again.
** The sewer might as well be one giant LuckBasedMission, especially considering you only get one character at a time. You get swarmed in groups of three/four enemies that like to stun-lock you, and in large groups you'll be lucky to get even a single turn in as the group stun-locks you to a slow and painful death. Your only real hope of making it through is trying to despawn enemies, which is hard since the sewer water slows down your movements considerably, and enemies like to spawn ontop of you as you transfer through doors.

%%* FinalBoss: [[spoiler:Dr. Andonuts]].

* ForcedLevelGrinding: If you're planning on making it through the Twoson sewers, then later [[spoiler:to Andonuts' lab]], and then [[spoiler:through the memory areas in Andonuts' Magicant,]] you're going to do a fair bit of level grinding just before said areas, even if you're smart enough to know the status spells aren't [[UselessUsefulSpell useless.]]

-->"It was born of a combination of many things I had been thinking about at the time -- the lack of non-stereotypical, major homosexual characters in media, the staleness of a fifteen-year-old video game, the player's consciousness of their own decisions in video games, and the fact that it seemed that most people generally thought I was just 'another funny guy.'"

** Apparently, Varik is supposed to be [[IJustWantToBeBadass a wannabe badass]], as the creator of the hack said that he's actually utterly terrified of all the monsters he's sent to kill, as well as having the lowest stat total of anyone in the party. [[TheSoCalledCoward Not that it stops him from doing it anyway, or have any troubles doing it in the process,]] nor does it [[spoiler:stop him from willingly going into Andonuts' Magicant in an attempt to bring him back to something resembling sanity.]] The only thing that really [[ShowDontTell shows instead of tells]] you that he might be this is waking up in a pile of his own puke at the start of the game after passing out while getting drunk, and even ''then''...
** If anything, Varik comes off as more of a {{Determinator}} and / or a NoRespectGuy to the player than a wannabe badass. In fact, the only one who really calls Varik out on this flaw is [[spoiler:Dr. Andonuts in the final battle]], and considering [[JumpingOffTheSlipperySlope he wasn't exactly all that there either]], nor does Varik really react to it...

* JourneyToTheCenterOfTheMind: If the player presses the B Button during a certain important event, [[spoiler:Varik enters Dr. Andonuts's mind and discovers the reasoning behind his insanity.]]

* LaughingMad: [[spoiler:The narrator engages in non-stop, game-ending laughing if you die to Dr. Andonuts at the end of the game]].

* MarathonBoss: [[spoiler: Dr. Andonuts]] has tons of HP, so much so that not even [[ThatOneAttack PSI Bitchkill]] will kill him in one hit.

** Similarly, are the Paula, Jeff, and Poo [[spoiler:the same ones who were transported to the alternate timeline, who have somehow figured out a way to bridge the gap and attempt to help Dr. Andonuts back to sanity? Or are they just creations conjured up by Andonuts' own psyche based off his memories from them? Considering the "courage" you frequently talk to in his Magicant sounds like it's speaking as if it's each one of them, respectively, and seems to know things Andonuts' himself shouldn't... (Such as the fact the chosen four ''did'' survive their trip to the past and back again...)]]

* MonstrosityEqualsWeakness: The Id is frightening-looking, but it doesn't even try to fight you. However, after defeating it, [[spoiler:Dr. Andonuts goes back to looking human...and then uses his mind power to turn into a PSI-wielding, profanity-spouting superhuman.]]

** Also, in the "good" ending, [[spoiler: after the tragic final battle with Dr. Andonuts, Varik returns home just in time for [[MakesJustAsMuchSenseInContext a ghost to fart in his face.]]]]

* MuseumOfTheStrangeAndUnusual: The Death Museum. It features models of [[spoiler:Paula, Jeff, Poo, and Dr. Andonuts's wife. A mental construct of Dr. Andonuts in said museum claims he is proud of killing the Chosen Four.]]

* NinetiesAntiHero: Varik is made to look like this, what with being a brooding, alcoholic bounty hunter with a DarkAndTroubledPast. We quickly find out this is not played straight at all -- [[ClassicalAntiHero his stats suck, and he's honestly scared of the undead monsters.]]

* NoIndoorVoice: The...''[[EldritchAbomination THINGS]]'' in [[spoiler:Dr. Andonuts' consciousness]] tend to yell a lot. It's creepier than it sounds.

* NonstandardGameOver: Lose a battle to the final boss and you'll end up in the continue screen as usual...[[AndIMustScream except the narrator refuses to let you continue]], forcing you to close and reopen the game.

* OurMonstersAreWeird: [[spoiler:In Dr. Andonuts's mind]], you will see [[NightmareFuel the weirdest and creepiest shit...]]

* PurpleProse: Some of the enemy attack and death messages can get really flowery which, combined with the text auto scrolling, can make it hard to read a few of them. A few of them can easilly take up ''three'' text boxes by themselves.

* SequentialBoss: The FinalBoss. [[spoiler:You start out by fighting Dr. Andonuts's defenseless Id. After beating it, Andonuts completely loses it. Andonuts himself has five phases, each with its own weakness: First Timestop, then Freeze, them Flame, then reflecting PSI Shields for PSI Bitchkill, and finally one last beatdown]].

* QuirkyBard: Varik himself. His stats are notably lower than Ness', and unlike him, he doesn't have a single offense PSI- er... ''magic'' attack. All his magic abilities are status inducers. [[UselessUsefulSpell This is less useless than you'd think, though]], as those status inducers ''will'' be needed [[NintendoHard if you want to even hope to get through this game.]] He can also equip all of Poo's equipment, although some of them are actually weaker than what is exclusive to him. [[note]]For example, the Sword of Kings is a point weaker than his own Rapier.[[/note]]

* RuleOfFunny: Yes, even after things go south. [[spoiler:Every part of Dr. Andonut's mind has at least some degree of black humor in it.]]

** The FinalBoss shows up looking like [[spoiler:a modified [[VideoGame/YumeNikki Uboa]].]]

** NO NO and NO are [[spoiler:''VideoGame/ChoAniki'' sprites that have been edited to be a little creepier. And to focus on the parts Andonuts likes.]]

** Radiation has confirmed that Megalovania, the FinalBoss theme, was named after Transylvania and the ''VideoGame/LiveALive'' boss theme Megalomania. [[spoiler:The similar ideals behind Odio and Dr. Andonuts, especially their hatred, is also notable]].

** The music that plays when you fight [[EldritchAbomination Dearkhart and the Phaze Destrortur]] is easily 'at least' the second coolest music in the game, despite being used for two of the creepiest enemies in the game.

* TheVeryDefinitelyFinalDungeon: A multi segmented one. First, you go through the dangerous part of Magicant, which is similar to the original game's version but with the enemies from the second Magicant dungeon. Then, you traverse a horrific monstrosity vaguely resembling the final boss's room in the original. After that, you have to get through the Cave of the Past. Finally, you hit the Sea of Eve, where you fight the Amalgamates. After all that, you get a safe zone where you can restock and save before fighting the FinalBoss.

* WombLevel: The last, eerie walk into the center of [[spoiler:Dr. Andonuts']] mind seems to take place on a large, pulsating optic nerve/brain...thing.
%%* WoobieDestroyerOfWorlds: [[spoiler:Dr. Andonuts]].

* DifficultySpike:
** If you attempt to enter the sewer as soon as you start the game, expect to die. A lot.
** Similarly, if you attempt to traverse [[spoiler:the demonic version of Winters]] as soon as you get there without abusing the nearby tent to heal and grind, expect to die. A lot.
** [[RuleOfThree Additionally]], if you attempt to explore [[spoiler:Dr. Andonuts' Magicant]] and haven't realized yet that the {{Useless Useful Spell}}s actually ''are'' useful, [[RunningGag expect to die.]] [[RuleOfThree A lot.]]

** BattleInTheCenterOfTheMind: [[spoiler:...And then he winds up fighting Dr. Andonuts' personal demons as well as the doctor himself.]]

* PuzzleBoss: Thanks to the fact that a lot of the (supposed) {{Useless Useful Spell}}s actually ''do'' work on the bosses, bosses that can be nightmares are complete jokes. In addition, some bosses can actually be defeated quickly by using outside the box tactics. [[spoiler:A few examples include [[ItMakesSenseInContext defeating the "NO! NO! NO!"'s]] [[GroinAttack groin]] [[ItMakesSenseInContext first defeats all the "NO!"s]] and using [[JokeWeapon the HP Sucker]] on the Phaze Destrortur deals a high amount of damage to it.]]

* SelfImposedChallenge: The Phaze Destrortur is ''[[HardLevelsEasyBosses ridiculously]]'' easy, but you can add a bit of challenge to it by trying to defeat it with all three party members alive. The previous two bosses can also be beaten using the non-cheap methods with [[ForcedLevelGrinding high enough levels]] and a bit of luck.

* ButThouMust: Happens a lot. Radiation said this was one of the major themes of the game, and it is very harshly deconstructed. The game is basically deconstructing the idea of games that force their player to do things they don't want to do, yet the player still does it anyways for the sake of completing the game or seeing more content (which Toby Fox further explores in ''{{VideoGame/Deltarune}}''). Even the InterfaceScrew choice isn't really a choice because the outcome is the same, though showing agency and going against the game's will nets you the good ending. [[spoiler:Dr. Andonuts still dies. But hey, at least Varik doesn't!]]

* VideoGameCrueltyPotential: The Desperate Survivor "enemies" are bloodied, weeping men who always run from you in Winters. They apologize for fighting you, cough and wheeze with the effort of staying alive, can only deal scratch damage to you when they do choose to attack, and finally apologize for ''your'' murdering them in turn. Killing them (an act that is discouraged by WordOfGod, but is otherwise not punished) serves no real purpose other than to provide an actual choice for once, and fill your inventory with healing items if you're feeling paranoid.

** One of the citizens of [[spoiler:Dr. Andonuts' Magicant]] invokes this by telling you that they're all doomed to repeat the same action over and over again. Funnier than it sounds.

* AlternateUniverse: It seems to begin this way, as an alternate reality in which the Chosen Four won but seemingly died defeating Giygas. [[spoiler:It turns out that this reality is the original, and the Chosen Four were sent to a new timeline. It's just that everyone THINKS they're dead.]]