As we all know, various art forms have what they consider to be their canon. If we accept video games as an art, then it too should have its own canon.I submit undertale as canonical.For one thing, its genre is incredibly unique. It contains aspects of rpgs, but it also feels like the successful integration of shoot-em-up with puzzle. It's a remarkable achievement. Most people would not interpret undertale as a shoot-em-up, yet the majority of it's actual gameplay elements that require skill are just in that category. The clever twist is that you can use positional manipulation of the projectiles flying towards you in unique ways not conceived of before.Toby Fox figured out that every enemy and boss can feel like their own unique puzzle. The gameplay has a unique, standout feel reminiscent of portal, in that your brain is offered an assortment of puzzles that is offered within the confines of a common set of surprisingly simple rules.Another thing that is fairly unique is the very successful use of new game plus within undertale. While a game like Chrono Trigger made you want to play through a couple more times,. This is again, a unique experience not found in many other games.This game feels like it has its own unique stylization. In the same ways Basquiat, Pollock, and Salvado Dali had their own unique stylizations, undertale carves out its own niche with the context of unique gameplay configurations.I know it's a bit early to bring up undertale in the context of great games, and also in the context of canonical greats, but it's hard for me to not look at this game as not offering a unique niche in the same way games like symphony of the night, Portal, and Shadow of the Colossus, each had a unique approach to a genre that gave you this delicious sampling of the qualia of an art form. What makes this all the more impressive is that it was pushed out almost entirely by a single individual. This game did make me laugh. It made me feel sad at times, it made me think at times. It has an amazing sound track, and hearing it now generates this pleasureful nostalgia.I can't help but feel that history will be kind to this game. It really highlights the ability of individuals who are truly talented to still be able to enter the industry, in spite of market oversaturation. I hold out for more games like undertale to come, and for individuals to never give up on their dreams.