Given the nature of this work, spoilers for Undertale will be left unmarked. You Have Been Warned!
Undertale: Papyrus's Belief note is an upcoming Fan Game based on the 2015 RPG Undertale that's currently under development by Kasssm on GameJolt, based on a concept by EllisBros. It was first revealed in an Underevent showcase
in December 2022, created as an Alternate Timeline adaptation of the Undertale Fan Animation Disbelief by FlamesAtGames. This had, in turn, been based off of the popular Fandom-Specific Plot known as "Disbelief," where near the end of the Genocide Run, you encounter Papyrus in the Judgment Hall instead of Sans. However, as the name of this one subtly suggests, it subverts the original story in a big way. Papyrus, rather than being left emotionally broken and unable to come to terms with your betrayal, ultimately in total...well, disbelief at your horrific actions, instead behaves exactly the same as the goofy and lovably self-absorbed skeleton from the original game, despite the fact that you've killed everyone he knows and loves.
Not a whole lot is currently known about the story, however some things have been pieced together from various updates and trailers thus far. The game starts off as it normally does, but upon reaching the end of Snowdin, you are encountered by Sans instead of Papyrus. Sans can already see the HATE that is forming in your SOUL, and therefore decides to stop being lazy and actually fight you off in Papyrus's place, knowing that with his kind heart, Papyrus would die almost instantly at your hands. Even after you kill Sans, he takes solace in knowing his brother is safe for the time being, and that he'll be far better prepared the next time you meet him. Sure enough, when you finally reach the Judgment Hall and prepare to breeze your way through to the ending, you're unexpectedly interrupted by a familiar figure. Papyrus, who comically bursts in through the nearest window and tells you that he believes in you, that you have at least a tiny modicum of goodness in your heart and that it's not too late for you to change your ways. But when you choose to betray his trust and slice at him anyway, he dodges the blow...and then proceeds to make it clear that he's not going to be a naïve pushover this time.
An official animated mock-up of the first half of the first phase of the battle between Frisk and Papyrus, uploaded to YouTube in July 2023, can be viewed here.note The game's own page on GameJolt, where updates regarding the project are frequently posted, can be found here.
WORKS! TROPES! AND THE MOST DANGEROUS OF THEM ALL...EXAMPLES!!!
- Adaptation Title Change: The game is an adaptation of Undertale's popular "Disbelief" Alternate Universe, and more specifically, the popular Fan Animation of the same name. However, given Papyrus's far more optimistic nature in this game as compared to his counterpart in the AU, the title was changed to reflect his refusal of the idea that the protagonist is irredeemably evil. The fact that it's specifically "Papyrus's Belief" is likely also a spin on his AU counterpart's most well-known nickname, "Disbelief Papyrus."
- Ascended Meme: Some early pieces of Undertale fanart portrayed Papyrus as having a Gaster Blaster of his own, similar to Sans. However, Papyrus treated his far more like a pet, and a few fans chose to call it "Frank." In this game, Frank is used as Papyrus's Special Attack, and he even has reactions to Papyrus's dialogue. In addition, the Boss Remix that plays during your battle with Papyrus is named "Frankness."Papyrus: Isn't he a blast? Nyeh heh heh heh heh heh heh heh!!
- Bait-and-Switch: Subverted with Papyrus's Special Attack. He builds it up a few times throughout the battle as being his ultimate move, casually explaining to Frisk that it is the most powerful attack he has in his arsenal. When the time comes to use it, Papyrus lifts his arm up to summon it...and a single bone falls harmlessly to the ground. The music quietly deflates as the bone shakes a bit, until Papyrus snaps his fingers and spins it around in the air, raising it up to himself, where it turns into Frank the Gaster Blaster, who promptly shoots a very large beam of energy out of its mouth and directly at the player.
- Big Good: Papyrus is the final opponent that Frisk must face when on a Genocide Run, and here, he is a far tougher and more challenging opponent than ever.
- Boss Remix: "Frankness" is the remix of Papyrus's boss theme "Bonetrousle" that plays when you encounter him in the Judgment Hall, being far heavier on metal instrumentals and sweeping choruses than the song it was based on.
- Similarly, "Megalovania (Reprise)" is a remix of Sans's boss theme "Megalovania" in a similar vein to what one might hear in Super Smash Bros., and it plays when you encounter Sans at the end of Snowdin.
- Similarly, "Megalovania (Reprise)"
- Hero Antagonist: As in the original game, almost all of the monsters play this role, most notably Sans and Papyrus.
- Heroic Sacrifice: Sans does this during a Genocide Run in order to protect his little brother, facing off against you far earlier than in the original game where Papyrus would normally face off against you. This allows Papyrus to flee safely and better develop his skills when he faces off against you in the Judgment Hall.
- The Pollyanna: Papyrus, as he is in the original game. Even after all of his friends and family were murdered in cold blood, he's still just as silly and bombastic as ever (though it's implied this is because he doesn't know all of the other monsters are dead). He is unable to believe that the player is completely incapable of doing good, and that if he simply shows strong enough belief in the human, that it's possible for them to redeem themselves. This doesn't, of course, mean he's so naïve as to not engage Frisk in battle when they very purposefully attempt to kill him. But even during their fight, checking him still reveals that he only wants the best for Frisk and still believes he has a shot at redemption.
- Take That!: The Underevent showcase pokes fun at the original "Disbelief" by having the trailer start with Disbelief Papyrus giving his "complex emotions" speech to the player...until he's interrupted halfway through by someone off-screen, who turns his SOUL blue so they can lift him out of view as he stares on in surprise. That's when this game's version of Papyrus jumps into the place he was standing.Disbelief Papyrus: Human. Allow me to tell you about some very complex feelings. Feelings like...losing someone you lo—WHO ARE YO--
- Took a Level in Badass: Whereas Papyrus was rather naïve in the original game and didn't use his powers to their full potential out of kindness to the human, here, though he still only wants the best for Frisk, he is far more capable in battle and doesn't hesitate to use his powers to their full extent. Not even the Annoying Dog comes in to prevent him from using his Special Attack, which is nothing other than a Gaster Blaster cleverly disguised as a harmless bone.
- Waldorf: Say, did you know that "papyrus" is a Middle English word meaning "paper?"
Statler: I know that, I was around when they still used that word! But why do you bring it up?
Waldorf: Because it's my firm belief that this game's story will be so paper-thin, it'll be completely barebones!
Both: Do-ho-ho-ho-hoh!
