Deltarune
Deltarune is a chapter-based role-playing game created by Toby Fox, the developer of the cult hit Undertale. Although it shares some characters and design elements with its predecessor, Deltarune tells an entirely different story, taking place in an alternate universe. You play as Kris, a seemingly ordinary student, who is suddenly pulled into a hidden world alongside classmate Susie. There, they meet Ralsei, a mysterious figure who claims they are destined to save the world by sealing magical fountains.
The game blends storytelling, humor, action, and turn-based combat into a rich experience that constantly surprises the player. Every moment is filled with personality—whether you’re walking through a quiet hallway, dodging attacks in a fight, or reading strange item descriptions.
Main Characters You’ll Travel With
The cast of Deltarune is small but deeply developed. As the chapters progress, you learn more about each character’s fears, goals, and loyalties.
Important characters:
- Kris — The silent protagonist. Although the player controls them, they occasionally act on their own.
- Susie — A tough, intimidating classmate who starts off cold but slowly grows more protective and loyal.
- Ralsei — A gentle “prince” of the Dark World who supports peace and often offers guidance during fights.
- Lancer — A mischievous enemy-turned-friend who adds comic relief and unexpected depth.
- Noelle — Introduced in Chapter 2, she has powerful magic and a complex arc, especially in alternate routes.
- Spamton — A secret boss who speaks in broken advertisements; funny and tragic at the same time.
Each character has unique abilities in battle and their own storylines to follow, especially when making choices that change interactions.
Gameplay Basics and Battle Features
Deltarune’s combat system mixes traditional RPG mechanics with real-time bullet-dodging. On your turn, you choose actions like fighting, talking, or using magic. During the enemy’s turn, you move a heart-shaped soul to dodge incoming attacks.
Key gameplay elements:
- ACT system — Allows you to talk or interact with enemies to calm or distract them instead of attacking.
- TP (Tension Points) — Collected by dodging or defending; used to cast spells like healing or sleep magic.
- Team-based turns — Control different characters, each with unique moves and reactions.
- Equipment and items — Some weapons or armor provide dialogue changes or battle effects.
- Recruiting enemies — Sparing enemies adds them to your “town” hub in Castle Town.
Unlike many RPGs, Deltarune encourages peaceful solutions, although attacking is still possible.
Tips for New Players
If you’re just getting started with Deltarune, these tips will help you make the most of your journey:
- Focus on timing: Defending at the right moment gives you more TP for spells.
- Don’t rush decisions: Some dialogue choices affect future interactions or open hidden paths.
- Explore side areas: You can find powerful items or unlock hidden bosses like Jevil and Spamton NEO.
- Use your whole team: Don’t forget that Susie and Ralsei have different strengths—mix offense and defense.
- Talk to everyone: Characters remember your actions, even across chapters.
The game has layers of story hidden behind ordinary-looking paths, so it’s worth taking your time.
Why It’s Worth Playing
Deltarune stands out because it doesn’t try to fit into typical RPG rules. It plays with structure, often blurring the line between game and story. Menus can behave strangely, music can shift tone mid-scene, and the world seems aware that you’re playing. Despite the strangeness, it’s easy to care about the characters and feel invested in what happens next.
