I am going to try to collect my thought in some form of essay, but for the time being, I think Deltarune suffers because it tries to operate on three very different layers at the same time: one comes from the mechanics, another from the narrative and the last one from the metanarrative of it all.

The first layer tries to deepen the critique that Undertale already exposed by suggesting a combat system in which you wouldn't need to use the Fight command anywhere by making the Action as diverse and varied as possible. This means that, for all purposes, Actions now are akin to the decisions you make in a visual novel or a graphic adventure, which is fine, but makes framing these encounters as "fights" weirder and weirder. If we take into account that some of the Actions are understood by the narrative as acts of violence as well, then what purpose does setting this distinction make anymore? And considering that now there's a collectable element to sparing enemies, that makes the whole affair just another mechanical chore that hast lost all the bite it purported to have.

The second layer is probably the strongest, because it tries to convey an emotional truth through dialogue and characters that feel as charming and relatable as they were in Undertale. I said this before, but if I keep playing these titles is for the characters. But that poses an important problem, which is that basically I'm not allowed to know about some of these characters' more interesting traits if it's not by straining them out of the "good" path, which is still as rigid as before. Instead of creating a tantalizing moment in which I'm wondering whether to explore some part of Noelle's past or the other, I have to choose between a pre set "pacifist" route that morally obligues me to not knowing these characters unless I deliberately bring harm unto them.

Which brings us to the third and last layer, the metanarrative. Just like with Undertale, Deltarune tries to make a point about choosing to be a bad person in video games and suffering the consequences, and unlike the first chapter, it reaffirms the consequences of my actions and encourages me to suck them up. But I mus ask, what is the point of it now? Do I really need to be taught that there are better ways to play? In that case, why develop a whole system around a specific ability (the Ice Magic of Noelle) and its outcome? Just for the sake of it? Isn't that diametrically opposed to what the game purports to be about?

I think Deltarune is confused about which route to take, and in trying to do everything at the same time, suffers for it. I know why I'm playing it, but I'm bothered that it thinks that I'm doing it for the wrong reasons.

It’s early days yet, and Deltarune is far from complete - but no other demo has given me this much content for free, while still enticing with a banquet of utterly intriguing story hooks to speculate on over the coming years. That said, the bulk of this game really just felt like the motions of Undertale on repeat. Toby Fox is a truly multitalented artist, his grasp on how to create vibrant worlds that feel both lived-in and fulfilling to explore is second to none in this industry… but with so many “hallways of funny moments” connecting everything, it can feel like his range is a tad too narrow at times. Subjective af note here but the music just doesn’t bang remotely as hard either.

I must give credit to Chapter 2, specifically the knowledge of the Snowgrave run, for finally lending the improved Undertale combat more of a sense of purpose. Its added layer of party complexity genuinely adds a lot, both mechanically and thematically, and I find it utterly convincing within Deltarune’s metatextual thesis on autonomy, imprisonment and puppeteering. Queen is also the funniest character he’s written yet.

All I’ll really say is that the offering of Deltarune we’ve been given so far suggests far grander things on the horizon, and I’m utterly convinced it will explore them thoroughly. Excited to see where this goes, because if it sticks the landing, it will be very very special.

La historia de Noelle como una niña incapaz de expresarse correctamente, con ansiedad, con mucha presión por las expectativas de los demás, con miedo de perder a su padre y extrañando la simpleza de su niñez a la que ya no puede volver, extrañando el tiempo que paso con su hermana, queriendo desesperadamente simplemente poder saltar y volar lejos, lejos de las preocupaciones, del dolor, del miedo, esa historia es una que me ha golpeado muchísimo.

Deltarune me gusta mucho más que Undertale porque al final, siento que lo que trata, así como sus personajes son unos que me llegan mucho más, me hacen sentirme más conectada al todo y sentir lo que sus personajes.
Es una obra que apela mucho más a quien soy, a como me siento, y por eso amo este juego.

This is one chapter out of a 7 chapter game and it caused me more of an emotional response than most FULL games. The characters all seem more expressive, in the dialouge and artstyle, the new characters are great, and the new mechanics make for an even better battle system, and the old one was great as it is. and, obviously, i think the music is amazing.. All this would probably culminate in the game with a 9/10 but man.. spamton is really just amazing, his backstory, his presence before his NEO fight, all great, and the fight, my lord, probably my favorite fight in the series so far, and that includes undertale, and his theme is a banger dude. I really do believe toby fox has something special on his hands, and I hope he delivers in the future chapters.