10 Deltarune Moments That Completely Change the Stakes of the Story

The best way that I can describe Deltarune is that it's an interesting game. Very interesting indeed. It's been incredible to experience this story in parts and be there as it evolves and deepens over time, much like Undertale did before it. There's a bit of a big divide between Undertale and Deltarune, though, because Deltarune has been given to us in chapters instead of all at once. While Deltarune's balance between lighthearted writing and meta narratives isn't new for Toby Fox, getting to piece it together over the last few years has made everything feel heavier.

I remember when this began as just a little "survey program" that surprised me with some kind of demo the longer and longer it got. Now, I'm waiting for Chapter 6 and 7, eager to see this story to its end.

10 King Threatening the Gang With Lancer's Life

Playtime's Over, Kids

Back when Chapter 1 was first released, it was a great representation of Toby Fox's writing. It's enticing while giving you great laughs most of the time. Chapter 1 was incredibly silly, but it would be bested by the comedy explosion that was Chapter 2 when it eventually made its way to us. At least Chapter 2 didn't end with a child being held hostage by his own father, because Chapter 1 certainly did that. And it did so in a way that didn't feel out of place. Instead, I remember locking in; ready to beat this boss to protect Lancer.

Now, we've spoken to King in his little hamster prison enough to understand his perspective on Lightners and why he acted this way. We've also seen first-hand he's not at all as menacing as he led us to believe at first. When it comes to Deltarune moments that add weight to its story, though, this one was a great start for the roller coaster that would follow.

9 Kris Ripping the Soul Out of Their Chest

Have Fun Exploring Your Cage

Deltarune didn't need to waste any time explaining to us what a soul is or what it does. Instead, we got a harrowing beginning of creating our own vessel and having it be thrown away in favor of controlling Kris instead. Oh, how innocent we were, viewing Kris almost like another Frisk to control. And then they turned around and straight up ripped us out at the end of Chapter 1.

The first time this happened, it was incredibly new. I'm sure a lot of us mashed the arrow keys, moving around the cage they put us in like a startled bird. It was another moment that told us Deltarune was going to be a whole new beast. Now, it happens so frequently that we're almost used to the abuse. At least Kris is, too. Watching them stick us in a balloon just to walk Susie home if we say no in Chapter 5 is just too funny.

8 The Reveal of the Roaring

Nice Job Almost Breaking It, Berdly

Like I said before, Chapter 2 was mostly fun and games to a certain point. Exploring the Cyber's World was all kinds of fun with the walking cars, tea cups, and chaos of Queen's Mansion. Of course, Berdly with his shenanigans forcing everyone to double trucies everywhere was hilarious, too. It was easy to forget that there was a greater reason behind being in that world with all the fun everyone was having, and that came to a screeching halt when Berdly tried to open another Dark Fountain within a fountain.

Ralsei tells him to stop once he gets what's going on, and talks about "The Roaring" for the first time. Where the world is consumed by darkness, the Titans destroy everything, and Darkners turn to statues while Lightners are left all alone. It brought perspective and weight to why we've been sealing these Fountains, which got even more important with Chapters 4 and 5. Even if the prophecy has a tragedy at the end, Ralsei makes a great case why some sacrifices might be far better than the Roaring.

7 Tenna's Monologue

The First Look at the Story Lurking Beneath

Before you take on Tenna as Chapter 3's final boss, Susie asks why he's so desperate for The Fun Gang's attention. He opens up and states that he misses when the Holiday and Dreemurr families used to gather around him and watch things together. For Tenna, he watched as his audience shrank one by one. It doesn't take much to understand why everyone left if you watch the cutscene closely.

The first person to leave the viewing party was Dess, Noelle's missing sister. It's clear that, for Tenna, he doesn't really understand why these close-knit neighbors fell apart. All he knows is that before he knew it, no one was watching him anymore. The truth is far more sinister that Dess' disappearance broke these families apart, and Chapter 5 would give us further knowledge as to why. This was one of the big moments that helped us truly feel how Dess left an impact on those around her, haunting the narrative more and more.

6 Seeing the Prophecy in the Sanctuaries

Feel the Weight of Fate Itself

Chapter 4 featured these incredible glowing depictions of the prophecy that followed you through the Dark World. It sits as one of the more mystical pieces of Deltarune's Dark Worlds that's really stuck with me personally. I love how etherial yet grounding they are.

Susie's quick to notice how detailed these panels are, describing things like Lancer calling Ralsei "toothpaste boy." Ralsei comments back that these things are set in stone because it's all part of the prophecy. Eventually, this bothers Susie, and clues her into Ralsei keeping a few secrets. Panels depicting future events, like the Flower Man panel leading into Chapter 5, make it very clear that there's more to lighthearted adventure than what we were told at first. This, too, has haunted Deltarune going forward, and the game encourages it.

5 Kris Making TV World's Dark Fountain

The Worst Cliffhanger to Leave Us On For Four Years

Having Kris rip us out of their chest was a powerful cliffhanger on its own. Seeing them do it again in Chapter 2's ending made us wonder what was going on, but it wasn't anything new. How do you top that? By having them pull out their knife and create a Dark Fountain. That's how.

Seeing the ground open up with light, turning to darkness, flooding Toriel's house, was jaw-dropping. They made a point of putting us back in as the darkness took over everything. We saw Tenna's smile take over the TV, and so many people thought that would signify a villain with a similar sinister demeanor like King. Instead, we got a (and I say this affectionately) washed-up TV host who became a fast fan-favorite. Still, this moment is one of the many that helps Chapter 1 and 2 remain strong with the other later chapters, no matter how much time has passed.

4 The Roaring Knight's First Appearance

It's Only Chapter 3 and They're Already a Boss

The Roaring Knight has somehow managed to be one of the most intimidating enemies across both Undertale and Deltarune. We hear about the Knight throughout Chapters 1 and 2, but the Knight makes a shocking entrance in Chapter 3 by literally cutting Tenna's arms off. The Fun Gang, led by Susie of course, quickly challenges the perpetrator. We then see the Roaring Knight in their after-image, completely black-and-white sprite glory. With their screen-tearing roar and bat-like sword pulled from their hand.

I know I'm not the only one who was mystified by the Roaring Knight when they were revealed. They're just cool and intimidating all at once. Their theme goes incredibly hard. If that isn't enough, if you manage to hold your ground during the Knight's attacks, you'll be given a unique opportunity from the voice controlling the game. He'll ask you if you want to try to fight the Knight despite the odds, and if you say yes, the Knight will serve as the Secret Boss straight from its debut. You can best the knight, but not beat them. That'll come later.

3 Susie's Prophecy-Shattering Punch

It Really Is That Bad

After learning about the prophecy in detail, becoming Gerson's little mentee, and slam-dunking us into the belly of a Titan, Susie runs off ahead of Ralsei. Ralsei had been marching ahead of us so we wouldn't see the tragic panel at the end of the prophecy.

Unfortunately, Susie sees it, and she breaks the panel herself before we can see it. The damage even causes her hand to bleed. Ralsei apologies profusely for the predicted tragedy and what's in it, but we don't see it at all. Neither of them mention it out loud. So we're left in the dark knowing nothing about the ending before us while Susie and Ralsei want to avoid it at all costs. It's terrifying to think about.

2 Ralsei and Flowery's Argument

Oh, It is Bad Bad.

Throughout Chapter 5, Flowery is constantly getting under Ralsei's skin. The two discuss things, like how Ralsei sticks close to the rules of the prophecy to try and avoid the tragedy or anything worse. Flowery also vaguely implies that Ralsei is pretending to be something he's not. It shows a more sassy, irritable side of Ralsei to where his kindness stat disappears for the entire chapter. This bubbles over a few times, like the Dark Prince (if that's even what he is) shouting that if he didn't hold back, he could burn Flowery down instantly.

Before the final battle, Ralsei once again exclaims about how Flowery's claims make him feel. He shouts things in the face of Flowery implying that he wants things to be the way that they are. Ralsei also says that if he doesn't do what he's supposed to, everything will fall apart. He's keeping himself from reaching his fullest potential just to avoid the dark side of fate's hand. Whatever this is, it must be horrible. I don't think any of us are ready for Chapter 7 after hearing all of this.

1 Noelle and Kris' Walk Into the Lake

Let's Just Skip a Whole Chapter, Why Not?

I could write a whole list of unsettling Weird Route moments on its own. The way that the Weird Route almost serves as an even worse "Genocide Route" of Undertale by having another character associated with your choices is one horrifying meta-narrative. It uses the uncomfortable atmosphere and writing to gauge your choices in real-time through Noelle's fear of what you're asking her to do.

Or, well. It did. After Chapter 4, Noelle becomes intrigued by what you've brought out of her. She's no longer afraid, thinks Kris is interesting because of your actions, and wants to do "something crazy together." That something is to walk to "the other side" of the lake in Hometown, using the player's power to slip under the water. Whatever they've reached, we can't access it until Chapter 7. The game even tells us this, asking us to "insert Chapter 7 Side B." I don't think there's a bigger moment in Deltarune that shows exactly what you're messing with than that.