DELTARUNE Game: How Your Choices Shape the Story and Gameplay

DELTARUNE, developed by Toby Fox, builds upon the legacy of Undertale with a richly emotional world, memorable characters, and surprising story twists. Unlike traditional RPGs, DELTARUNE subtly plays with the illusion of choice, allowing players to make decisions that influence character dynamics, dialogue, and battle outcomes — even when they seem inconsequential.

This article explores how your choices in DELTARUNE shape the gameplay experience, including story progression, combat strategy, and possible variations in endings.

Are Player Choices Real in DELTARUNE?

One of the most intriguing elements of DELTARUNE is its meta-awareness of choice. Early in Chapter 1, the game directly challenges your input, stating: “No one can choose who they are in this world.”

The Illusion vs. the Impact

• While major plot points are fixed, micro-decisions affect player experience.

• Relationships, boss behavior, and battle outcomes vary based on your input.

• The game’s narrative structure is designed to feel reactive, even within a guided plot.

So while you can’t fully control the story, your path through it — and how it feels — is heavily influenced by your actions.

Combat Choices: Fight or Spare?

A core mechanic inherited from Undertale is the ability to choose violence or mercy in battles.

The Fight Route

• Using “Fight” reduces enemy HP and can lead to defeating (but not killing) foes.

• Aggressive play changes how party members like Ralsei or Susie react.

• In some fights, dealing damage is required to progress (e.g., Jevil if not spared).

The Spare Route

• Using “Act” and “Spare” allows you to resolve encounters peacefully.

• Encourages strategic TP use and reading enemy behavior.

• Can affect post-battle dialogue and character responses.

Though the story continues either way, how you fight defines your experience and party relationships.

Susie’s Behavior and Player Influence

Susie, one of your party members, begins Chapter 1 with a violent, unpredictable nature. However, your actions can change her over time.

Early Choices That Matter

• Warning enemies in battle prevents Susie from harming them.

• Choosing non-violent options consistently influences her arc.

• Later chapters show a more cooperative and emotionally aware Susie if guided gently.

Player interaction with Susie is one of the most dynamic storytelling elements in the game, proving that persistence in kindness matters.

Exploring Alternate Dialogue Paths

Dialogue in DELTARUNE often changes based on how you interact with characters and events.

Examples of Dialogue Variations

• Sparing enemies leads to different boss conversations.

• Using specific ACT options unlocks funny or heartfelt lines.

• Repeating actions (like checking enemies or items) results in layered jokes or commentary.

This rewards players who experiment and replay chapters, as they uncover hidden personality traits and lore.

The Role of Save Files and Replays

Unlike Undertale, DELTARUNE discourages manipulating save files to force multiple outcomes. However, replaying from the beginning allows you to make new choices and explore missed content.

What Carries Over?

• DELTARUNE does not currently feature full save file continuity across chapters.

• Some subtle hints suggest choices may matter more in future chapters.

• For now, each playthrough offers a self-contained variation of events.

This design supports replayability while maintaining a controlled story arc.

Hidden Reactions and Easter Eggs

DELTARUNE is full of unexpected reactions based on your decisions. Characters can respond differently based on:

• Your choices in previous battles

• Who you talk to, and in what order

• What you equip or use during key moments

For example, giving specific items to characters like Noelle or Berdly can trigger custom lines of dialogue. Toby Fox is known for rewarding curious players who test the limits of the system.

Jevil and Spamton: Optional Bosses Based on Player Agency

These powerful secret bosses are only accessible if you explore deeply and make specific choices.

Unlocking Jevil (Chapter 1)

• Requires finding keys in the Card Castle

• Dialogue with Seam hints at his location

• Whether you defeat or spare Jevil changes the item reward

Unlocking Spamton NEO (Chapter 2)

• Depends on following the Snowgrave route, a darker story path

• Requires using specific commands with Noelle

• Leads to an alternate boss fight and disturbing consequences

These choices dramatically shift tone, showing the narrative weight of player curiosity.

The Snowgrave Route: A Dark Path

Chapter 2 introduces a branching route called Snowgrave, which is significantly darker and emotionally intense.

How It Works

• Requires using Noelle as your main fighter

• Coerce her into using “IceShock” repeatedly

• Avoid standard Sparing/Fighting and follow a manipulated path

The game never confirms this is an official route, but it’s acknowledged through eerie music, altered maps, and changes in Kris’s behavior.

Implications

• Changes boss fights, including Berdly and Queen

• Offers different endings and item rewards

• Deepens the game’s themes of control and manipulation

=This path showcases the heaviest consequences of player influence in the game so far.

Character Reactions Across Playthroughs

Characters like Ralsei, Noelle, and Queen respond dynamically to your actions. Though the main plot remains linear, emotional beats change based on what you’ve done.

Examples of Character-Based Responses

• Ralsei may praise or question your methods

• Noelle becomes visibly distressed on darker routes

• Enemies you spared in Chapter 1 remember your kindness in Chapter 2

These details build immersion and demonstrate that your choices leave traces, even without traditional branching paths.

What to Expect in Future Chapters

Toby Fox has confirmed that later chapters of DELTARUNE will incorporate more consequential decision-making.

Hints from Chapter 1 and 2

• Save data includes hidden flags that may activate in later chapters

• Chapter 3 is expected to offer greater divergence in story

• Fan theories suggest “your choices matter more than you think”

So while DELTARUNE’s current design may seem linear, the accumulation of decisions may pay off in unexpected ways.

Conclusion: Every Choice Colors the Journey

While DELTARUNE doesn't offer traditional branching paths, it uses emotional storytelling and character development to make player choices feel meaningful. From battle behavior and dialogue to secret routes and hidden bosses, every action contributes to a personalized experience.

The brilliance of DELTARUNE lies not in diverging endings — but in how your path feels different depending on your heart’s direction.