Critical analysis of every "Choice" in Deltarune (Deltarune Theory/Discussion)

Hello again people and welcome to my first Mega theory! In this video, we will Critically analyze the concept of choice within the story of Deltarune. We will go case by case and analyze every instance of choice in the story of Deltarune so far. Afterwards we will dive deep into the philosophy of choice and soul. This Video is meant to be a mega-theory, very different how my other Deltarune theories have been structured.Deltarune and it’s characters have told us on multiple occasions that our choices don’t matter. Surely that can’t be the case, because if it was, then why does the weird route exist? Even so, If our choices don’t matter why would we even have choices to begin with?
Chapters
0:00-0:28 Short prelude
0:29-2:36 Intro
2:37-14:09 Chapter 1 choices Part 1
14:10-16:36 Determinism Vs Free Will
16:37-19:06 End Chapter 1
19:07-33:04 Chapter 2
33:05-35:15 This joke was funnier in my head I'm sorry
35:16-39:37 Soul Split theory/Greek connection
39:38-41:55 Cave Theory
41:56-42:45 Outro (Thank you)

[@XDNighthawkXD]

Wow this video is doing pretty well. Thanks everyone! Sorry about the inconsistent Audio. I was so focused on making sure the audio wasn't too quiet that I didn't realize there were spikes.

[@Faitorrr]

its okay dont worry we love you

[@pillgrimm]

I wonder what you use to edit in that case. Most programs show you how loud or quiet your audio is at all times.

[@KapitanKaos]

There's something important you forgot to mention in regards of the acid tunnel photo choice. The peace sign could easily be interpreted as an *_Earthbound_* reference. Why is this important? Because only the player could know that, so following the idea every option represents someone, I think the peace sign would represent what the player would do. (And not posing represents Kris since we don't know much about them)

[@jonathanjoestar_real]

Maybe we can get an answer to these in 17 years, once all the chapters drop

[@mynameusedtobelong]

Don't make me have a exitential crisis. I just got home.

[@boombob3D]

OOOOOh NO I AGREE

[@rainbow_vader]

I just got to work and won't be home for 10 hours, so by your logic I'm watching this at the perfect time 😁

[@kirbyfan6949]

“Who the fuck starts a conversation like that? I just sat down!” ~Peter Griffin

[@Cheese-Slime-Sheriff]

@@rainbow_vaderno way this mf is stacking his crisis

[@onup1475]

"Delta is the fourth letter in the Greek alphabet but there only three delta fighter" At that moment I had a epiphany! There really is a forth! There's Kriss, Susie, Ralphi, and us the player. If we consider each of them there own warrior then what about use and our contributions.

[@sillywillywillysilly]

ah yes, ralphi

[@XDNighthawkXD]

Good idea! Yeah the player could be the fourth.

[@giasfelfebrehber12]

My favorite character, Ralphi

[@szambelan694]

Delta's symbol is a triangle by the way

[@alkimos55]

What about The Angel? Isn't it a part of that symbol as well? That might be our fourth character.

[@henrykado]

25:21 I'm pretty sure that's an Earthbound reference, since Ness always faces the camera and does a peace sign when taking a photo

[@animatepokemonadventures7889]

I think so too. It’s a nice reading into it, but it’s almost 100% just a reference.

[@itap8880]

There's always a possibility of it being both.

[@JaxontheOkay]

@@itap8880yeah lol toby's done that before, making seeming references or jokes actually quite significant

[@TD0150]

@@JaxontheOkay "But nobody came" is probably the shining example

[@tsinestexicthdauwraum9082]

FUZZY PICKLES!

[@embrefrosste6044]

“What if I told you that you had already decided you were going to watch this video before you woke up this morning?” Me, who put this video on my Watch Later a week ago: “I can believe it.”

[@2BrainCels]

I personally believe there is no 3rd entity controlling Kris, rather the soul itself is required for them to live and it is excruciating to go long periods without it. I think the odd movement Kris has is a mix of them not being able to control their movements for the past 16 or so hours while also having their literal soul removed. I think they simply cannot control their own body with it present but they are also physically weaker without it to the point of limping around. That does leave me wondering however, where is Kris' actual soul. We know the player is the red determination soul in the story because of us being able to move in the bird cage and the soul being used to pick dialogue options, but what happened to Kris' own soul?

[@XDNighthawkXD]

This makes me wonder, what if all of Kris limbs are asleep and that's why they move the way they do. just a thought.

[@2BrainCels]

Ouch! I just imagined how it'd feel to have your entire body be numb and static like that, that in itself sounds excruciating.

[@lorefox201]

imho the red soul is still his soul, we are controlling him from there so to act indipendently he has to remove it and be a deleuzian "body with no organs". the fact that he owns a carriage with a birdcage inside which has seen lots of use suggests that end of chapter one wasn't the first time he had to do this either but who was in control before we the player got into the picture is anybody's guess.

[@Minefan200]

@@XDNighthawkXD The way I interpreted Kris's stilted movement is similar to this. They were literally moved like a puppet on strings. I think you'd need to re-adjust yourself after going through that.

[@2BrainCels]

The only reason I don't believe Kris already had issues with their soul before the game started is the stark contrast between player action and things people bring up as past memories of their own actions, like Kris playing piano well before we arrive and of course Noelle being a close childhood friend and noticing now that there is something very odd about Kris' recent actions especially if you say stuff out of character. I honestly believe Kris was a normal, mischievous but lonely teen before the game starts.

[@henrycgs]

Wow, you did jump very quickly to "kris has a third entity controlling them". There just isn't enough evidence to claim that- they might be simply struggling to control their body after having it be controlled by us all the time. Or perhaps our mere existence playing the game makes it harder for them to move at all. Even when we're not pressing any keys, Kris remains stuck in place.

[@trondordoesstuff]

2:52 This isn't correct, actually; every single choice in the Gonermaker is kept in your save file and carried between chapters. Default choices are also selected for this sequence in the event that you start the game from Chapter 2.

[@MeloniestNeon]

If the Goner vessel returns, I REALLY want there to be unique dialogue for starting from chapter 2, if that remains a feature as of the full game's release.

[@petruciosxd1374]

Hopefully they're used, but solely so that Gaster or whoever calls you out for picking blood types C and D, or like to get into an argument about your preferred food type for 5 out of their 20 minutes of screentime. I feel like that's something Deltarune has really been missing.

[@MeloniestNeon]

@@petruciosxd1374 Gaster enters a 9 hour unskippable cutscene where he does a podcast with the Fun Gang interviewing them and the player on the lore of the game and their theories on it

[@itap8880]

@@petruciosxd1374 Blood types C and D? I think those are just monster blood types in Deltarune's world.

[@iamrococoo]

@@MeloniestNeon this comment has me WEAK

[@matti.8465]

I feel like the reason Ralsei is so overly accomodating is because he knows Kris holds the fate of the world in their hands. Ralsei's role in the prophecy is to support the heroes, he's only now starting to develop an identity beyond that, so he feels like he needs to keep Kris happy and support them no matter what.

[@thisguy.-.]

18:31 Interestingly, in Ch2 near the end of the bathroom scene, when Kris walks up to the sink they actually start to walk normally for a short while. proceeds to wash their hands with seemingly normal control, then does a bit more funky stuff before putting the soul back in. If I were to hazard a guess, it's just Kris getting used to controlling their body again, or it's just them being a prankster. I prefer the former interpretation, but I don't quite think they'd be controlled long distance because of this.

[@XDNighthawkXD]

Hmm now that I'm looking at this animation again I just realized something. There are frames missing in the animation. Kris teleports forward a little bit every step. (Not actually teleport) Almost as if they are "falling" forward rather than walking. As for the animation your talking about I think that Kris might be shaking the water off their hands. You can see some light blue pixels around there hands for a split second. I just can't imagine the force exerted to do that in one shake. I might be wrong though.

[@thisguy.-.]

@@XDNighthawkXD My emphasis was more or less on them walking normally before the sink, and even then I think them drying their hands in one go is more or less just how Toby chose to do it since Kris awkwardly shaking their hands off for a few seconds would have perhaps messed with the pacing. It's probably not trying to convey an its an outside force that can dry Kris's hands in one go, when we don't have any other examples of Kris drying their hands to compare to. I think we're diving waaay too deep into these tiny details, but if we must, I still think my point stands.

[@stray1239]

OR they're moving weirdly because they literally don't have a soul

[@itap8880]

@@XDNighthawkXD Actually, how many frames are missing? Could it be like... a half of them?

[@autistic_potato1037]

@@XDNighthawkXD Also, fyi, Jevil and Spamton can both be found back in the Closet, if you've beaten them in another save file, but not the current one, their item (determined by your current spare ratio i think) will appear at the base of the waterfall to the left of the entrance to Castle town, after beating their respective chapter, each's shadow crystal will also appear if I remember correctly.

[@_____Astral_____]

god i LOVE overly long and hyper-specufic analyses of deltarune! its like crack i swear.

[@troublemonkey1_626]

The longer we wait for more chapters, the more specific we will get

[@_____Astral_____]

@troublemonkey1_626 if we wait any longer there's gonna be a 12 part series analysing every dead pixel

[@agent8395]

Hyper-specufic analyses are the best

[@scootie_scoot]

this essay made me realize deltarune, just like real life, has only one ending. But it doesn’t have one route, just like real life! Such a cool deconstruction of players expectations of “multiple endings” in video games. Toby Fox really has a knack for making video games feel “alive” , much like how it’s hinted that gaster experiments with the game and its files the same way a scientist would experiments with organisms and specimen.

[@nautil_us]

I like the idea of asking "do you spare enemies to Get The Ending or bc you don't want to hurt anyone" but there is also the third option: the spare/sleep mechanic is more fun to engage with than the combat mechanics. People who don't care about video game morality still spare most enemies because the dialogue is funny and more enjoyable than just Punch Guy

[@zixvirzjghamn737]

or because its faster(also you technically fall into the category of not wanting to hurt anyone if not for the speed because I regurgitate spookydood opinion)

[@ultimaterecoil1136]

There’s also another reason as well. Generally speaking playing nice is easier. Sure you could go out of your way to do the snow grave route but that’s a hassle and it gets you the harder fight at the end. The same holds true for real life it’s generally easier to just play along and be nice most the time. There are exceptions though. Some people are absolutely horrid people and you need to be able to retaliate if needed to protect that which you care about. Even empathetically challenged individuals will usually maintain a level of cooperation if they care about self preservation but they will absolutely destroy any threats to themselves or what they care for. Most the time it’s just easier to not be actively seeking conflict. Unfortunately even if you don’t seek conflict it still comes. I’d imagine most people act in this sort of fashion. I’d imagine the average person wouldn’t jump on a grenade to save a friend. But they wouldn’t go out of their way to throw grenades at strangers either. Aka the most common dnd alignment is some form of neutral on the morality scale ( most likely lawful neutral)

[@theflyingspaget]

​@@ultimaterecoil1136 ME I'M THE EMPATHETICALLY CHALLENGED PERSON I would totally go for the genocide and snowgrave routes but I'm also just bad at games and honestly that's my morality irl, I don't care if people suffer but like, isn't it just easier to be kind?

[@ultimaterecoil1136]

@@theflyingspaget thankfully it is easier to be kind. People actively help those kind to them even if only in small ways and actively seeking conflict can make you enemies that actively seek your harm. Society never would have risen up in the first place if it wasn’t beneficial to work together as opposed to taking from others exclusively

[@iosis9324]

2:53 Actually, it been proven that it DOES change game files and it saves this information for future.

[@jordand331]

Re: the peace sign, this is also almost certainly a reference to Earthbound

[@XDNighthawkXD]

I should play Earthbound one day. Feel like I'm missing out on potential context for what inspired Undertale.

[@dingochungis6814]

bro i will fucking SCREAM if jevil deltarune shows up in the God Damn light world

[@ImThylacine]

Wow, the Greek mythology take is super interesting, new, and fits almost all of the evidence! Awesome job! One thing - I don’t think the secret bosses can exist in the light world. Given the layout of the unused classroom, Jevil is probably just a card underneath the cabinet. Also, Spamton talks about wanting to see “past the dark”, which implies that he can’t do that already. Doesn’t affect the theory that much, but just wanted to put it out there

[@Luke-st8bc]

To add on to that, I can't remember exactly but one of the computers is different when interacted with in the light world dependent on whether Spamton was beaten or not. Also if you compare the layout of the light world to the dark worlds, both secret bosses would be underneath the cupboards as they are both in the basements of the castles which means we wouldn't be able to see their light world counterparts (other than snowgrave but we don't know what actually happened to Spamton other than the damage numbers and sound effect) There is also dialogue which tells us that the body Spamton uses to become Spamton Neo was designed by a lightner (probably Mettaton) so the body is an inanimate object in the light world too.

[@XDNighthawkXD]

I've been thinking about the Greek angle for a long time. I'm actually surprise more people haven't noticed the similarities. When I heard of Plato's interpretation of the soul I just about screamed.

[@petruciosxd1374]

@@Luke-st8bc One of the computers mentions someone tried to check their emails but couldn't since the internet was out, but if Spamton NEO is defeated, the computer bluescreens. Edit: although, the Devilsknife and Spamton items are said to be the Darkners themselves (and the Jevilstail apparently even makes noise...?), so they kinda are brought with us in those cases.

[@SmolMight]

I would say for that last point, instead of actually escaping, jevil and Spamton could see the light world through the shadow crystals they were holding.

[@dopamine5170]

i find it interesting how you consider the peace sign option to be kris' favourite, as its (most likely) a reference to earthbound and the fuzzy pickles picture ness takes. utdr is obviously inspired by earthbound/mother, so having that reference be their favourite sort of signals going back to their roots and perhaps signalling at who kris really is? (im not sure how to explain it fully, but hopefully it makes sense)

[@zixvirzjghamn737]

I think that the "..." option is more like what kris would do because it's more in line with their behavior before the soul.

[@palecaptainwolfkayls8499]

@@zixvirzjghamn737 I would argue Rude Gesture due to Kris’s affinity with Susie, and their mischievous nature overall (Scaring Noelle a bunch, eating an entire pie alone, etc.)

[@FlyingSchweenies]

So what you’re saying is… Kris is ness

[@wildfire9280]

@@FlyingSchweenies No, that’s Sans. Kris is Claus(trophobic).

[@darestep7844]

23:03 To add on to this topic, a good point I've heard someone make that really put how Kris may feel about Ralsei into perspective for me is this. Imagine one day you meet a random person, but without any explanation they look exactly like someone you know. They have their own name, their own personality, and they seem like a nice person, but they have the face of someone you know, and you don't know why. It would be an understatement to say you would probably feel uneasy.

[@JoegeffreyHampnerman]

Especially since this stranger is otherwise somewhat suspicious, potentially being linked to the being controlling them and/or some other entity.

[@pringlecontainer2528]

Ik this is just a hypothetical but it actually happened to me once! I met this girl that looked exactly like an old friend of mine and had an almost identical name to her, it was extremely weird and unnerving lmfao

[@phiikichi]

@@pringlecontainer2528 i met someone once who had the exact same mannerisms and voice tics as my ex lol, im sure he's a really nice person but i feel weird everytime i talk to him lmaooo

[@patlov]

nuh uh

[@henrykado]

true

[@michaelkindt3288]

Google translated this to "Well uh".

[@Arslan35]

fym "nuh uh"

[@Frenzy.64]

yuh huh

[@tugboat478]

I do wanna note the peace sign is a BIG reference to earthbound, which is like, y’know. Earthbound. Say “Fuzzy Pickles!”

[@GIRGHGH]

I thought Kris was moving that way because they're without their soul. We never see Kris with the soul moving aside from them jumping out of bed or on the couch, and it could just be that Kris is moving tiredly, only able to overpower the soul's control when they're asleep. Also I don't really ever understand what people are talking about with free will. You make it sound more like people are capable of snap-judgements that have no origin, but people always have reasonings, either reactionary or involuntary. Just because I can only choose one thing doesn't make it less of a choice, same goes for "choosing to not play," that's not somehow beating the system, that's simply having a shorter run.

[@JoegeffreyHampnerman]

If that point about the soul is interesting, but Kris moves normally once they put their soul back in in ch 2, then they get weird again once everyone goes to sleep.

[@awistaiw-uwu]

I had to think about this for awhile and then rewatch this part of the video lol, but I find the part about Susie's choice to attack darkners vs your choice to warn them a little flawed, only because warning the darkners about her doesn't actually bar her from making the choice. When lancer sends the trio to jail, he is intending to incapacitate them so they're totally unable to make the choice to attack the king, but warning the darkners just lets them know what situation they're in, it doesn't prevent Susie from attacking them. The choice is still up to the player and one might still see not warning the darkners are more respectful of or friendly to Susie, but imo doing so definitely isn't overriding or taking away her choice at all.

[@MoRPho151]

Susie’s choice is unique inside the game. Until now there is not way to control or change what she chooses. The warn enemies thing is to avoid hurting them.

[@awistaiw-uwu]

@@MoRPho151 yeah, that's what I'm saying. In the video it's said as if you warning the enemies somehow inhibits her right to choose, which it doesn't really.

[@ladynoluck]

Delta is also used as shorthand in math/etc. for “change in” like as you solve for how X changes across a line, you can call that/write that as delta X. You solve for the slope of a line with delta Y/delta X. This aligns with the game’s question of whether our choices matter or *change* things. The series being called Deltarune also implies a change in magic, a change in a spell, or a change in meaning/words, depending on how you interpret “rune.” Rune is also the name for a letter in an ancient Germanic alphabet, and, if we do take delta as referring to 4 or fourth, the fourth rune in several of the first runic alphabets means god. Or if we take both meanings of delta together, it would be suggesting a “change in gods” like the conflict for control of Kris and the world of the game.

[@spinomania1921]

“DO YOU THINK THAT THE OUTCOME YOU HAVE REACHED WAS THE RESULT OF YOUR OWN DECISIONS?" "OR WAS YOUR ENTIRE JOURNEY WRITTEN OUT FOR YOU ON AO3?"

[@MoRPho151]

The philosophical and religious aspects this game has usually go very unnoticed, and are a very interesting part of the worldbuilding.

[@hexamex]

at 26:00 or so, them turning to the camera for the peace sign is an earhtbound reference, but if we were to think of it diagetically i agree with your points

[@Wolfcat22]

Good video overall. Personally, I really dislike the idea of Kris tearing out their own soul to combat the player. Not only is there evidence to suggest that Kris has been doing this since before the player began interacting with the world (the birdcage/wagon setup, the stain on the carpet, Kris's bathroom habits), but it's also just very out of character. Why would they endanger two people they care deeply about after a Snowgrave route? (Toriel and Susie) Also, everyone just seems to handwave how Kris is even doing this in the first place. It's not normal for one to be able to reach inside of themselves and rip out their soul. It's not normal for someone to manifest a knife out of thin air. Also, if Kris is controlling themselves during these segments, why do they shamble around so awkwardly even before removing their own soul? They don't shamble when moving on their own during the game proper like when Kris defends Susie. Everything seems to point to some alternate entity controlling Kris during these moments. I just hate the "Kris is fighting back against the player" idea because the message of "HOW DARE YOU CONTROL A CHARACTER AND PLAY A VIDEO GAME" just seems really shallow and not really saying much of anything. However, the idea of Kris's soul splitting and them being drive purely by appetite is really interesting and fitting.

[@MeloniestNeon]

I think this is a take a lot of people shared around chapter 1's release, but was eventually phased out of popular opinion due to Chapter 2's events and more in-depth dives into the game's theming. Its not a story of "HOW DARE YOU PLAY THE GAME," its a story of "What if the character you played as knew you existed and had their own feelings about that?" Kris' feelings just so happen to be negative, as most peoples' would be if they were possessed and controlled by some otherworldly entity. As for the knife part, they clearly just had it in their pocket/on their person somehow, inventory logic or maybe even a sheath. Toriel acknowledges it in Ch.2 as "Kris' knife", so why wouldn't they be expected to carry around their own personal possession, possibly for self defense, late-night pie eating, slashing their mom's car tires, or whatever else Kris does in their daily routine. And on the note of tearing their soul out... This is just my theory, entirely baseless and only bits and pieces of evidence exist in the game, but I believe Kris gains a sense of "control" specifically during cutscenes. Think about it; at what point in a game is the Player weakest? During a scripted cutscene, and especially at the END of the game (or chapter in this case) where their input, their choices, don't matter. This is somewhat backed by when we see Kris moving on their own in the Dark Worlds. They never initiate it, its always during a pre-existing cutscene (Defending Susie during King's post-fight cutscene, doing a pose when reuniting with their friends or approaching the arcade machine the second time before Queen is interrupted by Burghley). Finally, as for why Kris seems like they were already possessed? I have NO clue! I don't think Kris is possessed by another entity, their actions, while extreme, feel reasonable for their situation and line up with their own interests. They clearly want to explain to Undyne, the POLICE CHIEF of all people, about dark worlds, and when that doesn't work they get their mother (another trusted figure) to call the police to their home, and then open a dark world with Susie and Toriel inside, two of their most trusted allies besides Noelle and _maaaaybe_ Ralsei. And if they are the Knight and its not a fakeout like chapter 1? All the more reason that they're acting of their own will. I feel like Kris has had some history with dark worlds, or at least darker forces akin to Gaster, and Catti even says she helped Kris with some occult stuff a long while ago, possibly around when Dess disappeared and/or the event that happened at the Bunker, which would have prompted Kris to take action into researching the dark arts and "finding her" as the game insists we do.

[@petruciosxd1374]

​@@MeloniestNeon I should point out that the knife Toriel talks about looks different and Kris never gets it back, yet they still have one at the end of the chapter. That said, at the start of the Light World segment, Kris collects a shitton of stuff from the computer lab for no inventory space and we can't interact with any of it, either, so the knife thing doesn't seem all that out of the ordinary. Since we know the Dark World inventory is like, magic pockets, I wonder if the implication is that all the inventory items are like, horribly shoved into Kris's pockets...?

[@MeloniestNeon]

@@petruciosxd1374 PLEASE let it be the latter, I love the idea that Kris' pants pockets are just STUFFED with an entire laptop, PC tower and various calculators and wires as they walk back to the school As for the knife thing, I think that's just a stylistic difference in how it was shown, both are clearly Kris' knives, so it would be easy to explain away with them having a collection, or the spritework being a bit different between chapters.

[@tobiasbayer4866]

I think a big part of why people dislike these theories is that they expect "the player" to actually be an in universe character, which would feel awkward. Undertales story was also meant to examine the relationship between the player and the game, even including the literal save and load mechanic into the story. Yet it was done in a way where we were never directly called out, yet still felt responsible for our actions. Canonically everything we did was done by frisk and maybe chara. I strongly believe that will be the same in deltarune. There will never be a moment where Kris faces the camera and goes "grrr, I hate you 'player', you are controlling me" and then rips their soul out. Instead we will be represented by some sort of stand in entity. What that entity will be is anyones guess, but I personally think it will be a demon. Lore on demons in Undertale is very thin, but chara calls themselfes one and they are referenced in thr code a bit, so its safe to say they do exist in universe. And we know from chara that they have the ability to take over someones soul and control them, so its the most likely option imo. Although I dont think that we are literally playing as deltarune chara, but who knows at this point.

[@bumbabees]

@@tobiasbayer4866 werent we directly called out in undertale though, when flowey says "let frisk be happy. let frisk live their life"? i mean hell even before that he says "you know who im talking about, dont you? thats right. im talking about YOU." it seems to make it pretty clear that we are separate from our player characters, (frisk and kris) which i can only assume means that we are, by default, our own type of character within the universe. or at least something the game and certain characters are aware of. that much is made clear in both games, even though we dont know the details of how it all works.

[@swe3t_coffe326]

This was a rather fun video! I honestly do believe you are on to something with the whole idea of "reincarnation" when it comes to Deltarune, as the reflection sprite in Undertale looks a little too similar to Kris for my liking. Also the fact that a "Suzy" is mentioned in Undertale AND is the reason that Frisk possibly went to the Underground makes me think that maybe Frisk + Suzy are reincarnations of Kris and Susie (Kris gaining "Freedom", so an "F" is added to their name and Susie having their "Issue" resolved, hence losing the anagram). Sidenote but it almost makes it kind of sweet if this theory is true. They're destined to always be together. Kind of makes me wonder about how this reincarnation would even work. Would the Deltarune world be destroyed, or reset and altered in some way? Would this mean that it is chronologically a prequel of some kind, a previous reset? So many questions and no answers lol

[@unnaturallynatural8885]

Deltarune possibly being a prequel is already quite a popular theory especially with the deltarune sans stuff, lots of intrigue

[@TeltStory]

Determinism does not equal you do not matter. You act because of determinism, therefore you are part of determinism. a man who is fated to put in 1 effort is just as responsible for their choices as a man who put in 100%. 1 times 1 = 1, 1 times 100 = 100. 100+1 = 101 The man who put in 1 effort was fated to chose 1, but they still chose that path, the man who put in 100 effort still chose. We are told by society that our responsibilities are to be a part of the future, to attempt success. Choosing to attempt at all is critical in success. Am I determining your future, as others have done for me for my present? Was I a part of deciding to be the way I am? Be a part of the equation of the universe, despite determinism and free will.

[@puckmin3487]

Haven't finished the video but something i just realised is that The gonermaker sequence tells us that none of our decisions matter IN THIS WORLD (lightworld) hence why we CAN make decisions in the dark world, and choose who we want to be (either pacifist or weird route)

[@kuba4ful]

As a non-native english speaker, the first time i played deltarune and heard of Titans my first thought was the greek mythology, and i wondered if it's a reference or if this game is gonna have more of a mythos vibes. Later I've learnt it's just a word nowadays fiction likes to use for gigantic creatures, and doesn't have to relate to mythology at all, so I didn't look further into it. Funny how everything wrapped around and now it seems it actually may be related to greek mythology after all.

[@moppermop5287]

12:02 But in the light world you also have the choice of what to say to Onionsan, and if you choose to be mean Onionsan won't talk to you ever again, which persists even between chapters. There's also a lot of other choices from chapter 1 that have an effect on chapter 2, mostly just decided to talk to different NPCs, for example talking to Noelle in chapter 1 causes her to give Susie the chalk in chapter 2. Maybe the reason that our choices in the light world aren't as obvious as those made in the dark world is because we haven't spent nearly as much time in the light world yet? Plus, if that was really what Toby was trying to say, why are there so many choices in the dark world that don't do anything? Like, when we are asked to choose who to go with into the city and Susie goes with Ralsei no matter what?

[@Kipper6464]

even if it does nothing in the end I am being the kinds of person I can be because I don't want to hurt anyone I will be a pacifist like in Undertale even if in the end it doesn't change a thing I will be true to myself I don't want to hurt anyone I want to make friends I even hope that some point me and Kris can become friends or at least reach a understanding that I was thrown into the situation on controlling them by that mystery's voice just as much as they where

[@lina-dz3yh]

thank you for such a lovely video! very thought provoking!

[@manslaughter3180]

Before the video even properly starts, yes, I know I had decided to watch this video even before I knew it existed. That's because we are all built and developed by the events around us, as well as internal factors such as emotions and processing, so all the prior events that have happened to me and how they developed me as a person/character influence my future actions. Just how my actions might influence someone else out there and further develop them. None of us exist in a vacuum and there's no such thing as predetermined personality or behaviour (genetically, but it can be fabricated through specific events. I hope I got the point right. Okay, now let's watch

[@SammukaGames09]

That's pretty interesting and I could see that having even deeper parts of it

[@mintsmooth860]

watched this whole video in one go, that was pretty interesting. there were some parts that i didnt agree with but all in all the new info and stuff that i didn't think about/notice before were fun. would love to see more vids from u in this format

[@jamesverner9132]

I think it is very interesting to let berdly have his hand blown up in the Cyber world. It not genocide or pacifist its the cost of victory. I think a story where ee walk away with a few scars is the most interesting.

[@joshuabowman4702]

Good video. Not sure if i agree with the mega theory but the cave theory was pretty neat.

[@XDNighthawkXD]

Thank you TBH I use the term Mega theory as a blanket to hide how scatterbrained this video is. It's just a bunch of theories I had; but didn't feel like making separate videos for. MEGA THEORY just sounds better :)

[@joshuabowman4702]

​@@XDNighthawkXD In case you're wondering i was using it as a blanket term for the whole video. Honestly, i should've been more specific. the main thing i was unsure of was the one with Kris before the cave theory. It made sense and was pretty interesting but it felt sliiiiiiiiiiiightly too much of a stretch. i kinda decided to not think of anything Kris related awhile back, mainly because i don't want muddle my opinion of deltarune with expectations of what Kris' story is. i liked the other stuff mostly.

[@oisinman5]

the concept of just like making kris turn their friends and family into thralls like a vampire by weird routing all of them is actually such an engaging idea, it's like cultish in the way the player manipulates noelle in the snowgrave route aswell. really interesting

[@worldssmallestdestron7819]

the only choice that matters in the light world so far is with Noelle. you can tell her that Susie likes to eat calk, and she will give Susie a box of chalk as a gift. and it's something you have to go out of your way for, going to the hospital, talking to Rudy, then selecting the right dialogue options with Noelle. I think it was intentional that the only times your choices REALLY matter is with Noelle, someone infamous for breaking games. ya know, I might just make a theory out of this...

[@wisteria2509]

i love nerdy deltarune discussions in long videos.! very very interesting ideas in this that i honestly have never heard before!! even just hearing that kris ripping out their soul could actually be a 3rd entity instead of just unpossessed kris struggling to Be Alive Without Soul kind of blew my mind as i never headr that before... love the video

[@worldssmallestdestron7819]

I like to believe that, like in most games, random assets are used waaaaay under the map. assets waiting to be called. I think this is where the person the code is. perhaps the bunker is the way to get there?

[@marcelitox8146]

Great video man, i liked it very much. Your view of the concepts that toby put into deltarune are very refined well thought, that's when you know you are a good theorist. And i've never seen someone pointing out the similarities between greek myths and delatune, very new for me. Keep going like that.

[@scientificallyaccuratespino]

D E L T A R U N E!

[@seeinred]

My dude, you didn't have to go all-out existential on us straight out of the gate @ intro, but you still did it anyway. I respect that.

[@zigazav1]

Great theory video. Allot of what you said made allot of sense. I also like how the crafting of these theories seem to be free of bias. Most theorists of this game insert their personal and emotion-filled bias into their theories, be it preferred "tone" of context (like a theorist who craves chaos and misfortune in fictional worlds), or prior biased experience on a based level, that fuels their choices. You on the other hand, have these theories free from those kinds of tropes of crafting theories, no bias, no cherry-picking "evidence" to make your theory have more merit than it should. (part of why I have no respect for Matpat anymore) No, you have these theory with just solid evidence, no bias at all. I praise you for that. You stuck to your theories and proper evidence, without having your emotions and preferences, "taint" your theories. Very good job ^^

[@jacksonpekny431]

The Plato's Cave theory absolutely makes sense, that just seems like a 1:1 correlation to the secret bosses so far. One problem: the Light World isn't "reality." All the Darkners are already aware of the Light World, and that they are meant to serve Lightners (or at least Ralsei, King, and Queen know, I don't remember any specific dialogue from the other characters). It seems pretty explicit that Jevil and Spamton were driven mad by finding out they exist in a video game, a concept truly foreign to everyone around them.

[@Zolerian]

I loves this video, thanks for making it. That "you could've chosen any video while eating some food but you chose mine" struck me because that is exactly what happened. I have had several videos open to see since days ago, and have first chose some short ones, and today when eating my breakfast I decided to pop this one up instead of the other long ones. So yes I decided to eventually watch this video before I woke up this morning, though I didn't knew that I would do so today. I could have seen the other long ones fits and leave this afterwards, but the opposite happened.

[@Saelendious]

20:18 this has nothing to do with the Weird route, it's just her dialogue for not having recruits. You can still recruit some denizens of the cyber world after the point of no return and her dialogue will change accordingly

[@domynickjmz1198]

I need more long Deltarune theories to be able to ease the wait for the rest of the chapters, I need them like smoking crack

[@despair_bears]

I'm surprised you didn't bring up Onionsan! They're an example of Kris having choices in the light world, with kindness enabling Kris to make more friends and learn things and rudeness shutting the door to these possibilities. It also seems like something is being set up with Mettaton in chapter 3, but the payoff is currently unknown.

[@lilacpenguin5329]

Also, there's the box of chocolates that Undyne gives to Kris to give to Alphys in chapter 2, i think? We can give it back to Sans for a refund, throw out the chocolates, eat the chocolates with Susie, or do as Undyne says and give the chocolates to Alphys. In chapter 1, we can also choose to give Toriel the flowers or not from Asgore.

[@quiteaconfusedindividual]

The Split Theory was...remarkably insightful. Like I could actually believe it as deliberately part of the game. I'm very very lucky I stumbled into you.

[@whichcache2517]

There's also another choice that's fairly interesting. When Susie teams up with Lancer to fight Kris, she gives you the "option" of either fighting, or not fighting. If you don't move the cursor, the option "Let's Not" is highlighted yellow for a split second before Susie interrupts.

[@doommustard8818]

In plato's allegory of the cave the pain he feels when he leaves the cave is supposed to be a metaphor for the way that new information requires you to break down and re-examine your existing belief systems. In some versions of the story (I believe even the original version of the story), some people believe the returning prisoner well enough to follow him out of the cave but after experiencing the pain for themselves retreat back into the cave and redouble their original beliefs that there isn't anything outside the cave, the pain is their justification for being hostile towards the returning prisoner's attempts to convince them to leave. A rudimentary understanding of philosophy is basically a prerequisite for being an artist in any medium. mostly because it is a subject that is difficult to avoid if you are engaging with enough introspection to make decent art. "thinking about thinking" no way that would ever come up when you're busy thinking about yourself and what you are doing.

[@marsgreekgod]

Good video nutu man i hare 3rd entity theroy. It seems so much better if its kris havign toeibel moving without a soul

[@TheAwesomeGN]

The thing that makes the cave theory fit even better is the focus on shadows. Almost instantly at the mention of them, I was reminded of Entry 17 from undertale, specifically the line "Shadows cutting deeper." While potentially a coincidence, too many things here line up quite nicely. By the by, great video! Editing was very polished and audio was great (other than the start being much louder than the rest of the video, but if that is all the problems I have, then you are definitely doin good!)

[@kingfishyiii5338]

I never took notice of the fact that kris is being moved around like a puppet during the soulless scene

[@user-qf7cb6kn6p]

The video was amazing and i love your silly little birb! I need more of these videos :)

[@leaf1673]

Deltarune fans are the kinda people to use ancient philosophy to explain banana theory

[@scrungles7853]

I swear to god, I've started watching this video at least twice now. I don't remember stopping it, and I don't remember finishing it. This video creates a memory gap every time. What is happening

[@DogDogGodFog]

Two counterpoints: 1. The peace sign photo is mostly meant to be an Earthbound reference. In Earthbound, once in a while, you can take a photo of your characters showing their peace signs towards the screen. 2. Yes, Spamton does have a physical form. That being the printed spam emails in the bottom right corner of the computer lab. Jevil is also a joker card, and judging by his imprisoned position in Card Castle, in the Unused Classroom he is probably hidden in a hard-to-reach place too. But it's quite obvious that he is simply a joker card, not anything more complicated.

[@jargontrueseer]

That "while you ate food" bit at the end gave me chills, how tf you know dat?? Seriously though, HOW DO YOU NOT HAVE MORE SUBSCRIBERS???????

[@moppermop5287]

2:54 Um... no. Sorry, but I'm pretty sure your choices in the Goner Maker do get recorded in your save file, and the game even generates a default vessel if you start from chapter 2.

[@jupitersky]

Dude the greek mythos theory is really good. Like, really good. This is awesome.

[@XxguaxinimxX.]

With a video like that, you're 1 subscriber closer to hit 2k subs! That was really nice!

[@dragonmaster1006]

16:13 The problem with this reasoning this the point is that this necessitates by cause of effect that there is an external variable that influences events which are uncontrollable, Inconsistent, and Is immeasurable by people which is effectively randomness Which I'd argue a person cannot reasonably be placed responsible for

[@Hai_Cloud]

4:00 left me like 👁👁

[@XDNighthawkXD]

And here I thought that people were going to try to guess my real name so I cut it at the J-O- Nope they thought I was going to name my vessel a slur.

[@feelthelove3725]

This is a fantastic video.

[@onlookerofthings6029]

2:53 The name of the goner vessel *is* actually stored in save files along with party names and levels, even though the intro says it's discarded. It may or may not have consequences in future chapters but it wasn't "proven" to not exist... because it does

[@quincey5917]

While I personally don’t believe in 3rd entity theory, I still love how you presented all of this. excellent analysis, subscribed immediately!

[@Cheese-Slime-Sheriff]

25:10 Most choices made by Kris: I WONT LET YOU CONTROL ME! NOT NOW! This one: damn didn’t know you were chill like that

[@AnnCatsanndra]

Let's assume for a moment that all of reality is deterministic. Given the exact same moment in time, the same circumstances, one person would reach the same conclusion and make the same decision every time. However, subjectively, choice still exists for that individual. The things they are considering, their potential internal monolog, their mood, their preferences, the things they've felt that day are part of how they decide what they do. One being informed that "Free will doesn't exist" and changing their path of decision making to have far less effort, less consideration, and to assume that "it doesn't matter, it's going to be the same anyway" is a misunderstanding of what it means to not have free will, because subjectively that person has now assumed that they would get the same outcome from putting in less effort and thought as they would from having put in more effort and thought. Which is not the case, since those would be very different states of existence. It takes a bit of thought to understand that point though. I feel like it's something that's easier to grasp for people who have experience with programming or robotics. But my point is that Deltarune's "Your choices don't matter (because this story concludes the same way)" and "Free will isn't real (because the universe is deterministic, your beliefs and thoughts are the byproduct of every moment preceeding)", and "Choice doesn't matter (everything will play out the same no matter what you believe)" are deceptively similar sounding, but imply very different things.

[@sebay4654]

I believe that consciousness(the ability to uniquely perceive and recognise ourselves cognitively) is a pre requisite for free will (if we ever figure out a way to completely replicate and understand consciousness then i will abject my opinion and accept free will as nonexistent but i personally believe that if it can be replicated then it probably dwmands higher dimensions of existence) because we are uniquely capable of logic and reason

[@whispywoodsfromkirbyreal2426]

i love the snowgrave route, unironically, honestly its really cool :)

[@supersimon4922]

If i have no free will, so be it, i still enjoy helping people, if i enjoy my little prison, then it doesn't feel like a prison

[@ryans-archive]

Pretty sure Kris facing the camera for the peace sign is just as a reference to EarthBound and the infamous cameraman cutscenes.

[@midvamp]

i like watching these because theyre so interesting

[@JaredThe]

I think something worth noting about the idea of the significance of “Delta” in deltarune is that it’s represented by the number 4 if we start from 1 with alpha. If Alpha is 0 however, then Delta is 3. I believe typically Delta is more associated with 3 due to its shape, but if we consider it’s position in the Greek alphabet this way it may also make more sense. Or not, just a suggestion.

[@JoegeffreyHampnerman]

The delta rune itself support both interpretations; there's 3 triangles, and a 4th thing, the Angel. It's likely intentionally vague. Or we're reading too deep into this, & it's just a cool name. Either/or.

[@cipreste]

the rune has triangles, delta is a triangle, badabing badaboom

[@palecaptainwolfkayls8499]

Here’s something worth noting: After the Translation book released, DT as it was in Undertale appears to persist in Deltarune in the same form (since Ketsui (KTI) was chosen over other words of similar meaning). It is unknown what our Power is, but it can also be synonymous with DT. However, we also know of one more aspect… _You do not need to be alive_ (or otherwise have a SOUL) _to possess and use DETERMINATION._ We must remember that so far in both games, it has been alluded that the SOUL we control may or may not belong to the Avatar we control; Our will differs from our Avatar’s, who may ultimately be along for the ride, or attempts to resist and react in turn An idea that can be reinforced with the initial release’s “Terms and Conditions,” warning us of “PAIN AND SEIZURE.”

[@krazyivan9733]

Take a moment and analyze the fact that monster kid says they rather be partnerless than with snowy. Then think about the fact that despite this, they chose to be partners with them anyway. Then think about the fact that monster kid says they should have waited for Kris to show up. Now think about why they didnt wait, while you think about the fact that Alphys says *"we thought you werent coming today"* despite the fact that according to berdly, Kris is regularly late to class. What would cause Alphys, and by exentsion the whole class, to think that Kris wasnt coming today if it wasn't becuase of Kris's lateness?

[@egekahraman8985]

if we dont get chapter 3 soon I will not be surprised to see a video titled "analyzing every single line of text in deltaruneas in how it relates to the character o spamton" in my recommended

[@Guiyon]

41:17 Spamton and Jevil do have real-world counterparts, and in both cases it's very relevant to their character: Spamton being spam mail, behaving similarly to it with all the grammatical errors in his dialogue, and Jevil being a joker card, saying "HEARTS, DIAMONDS, I CAN DO ANYTHING!" which has multiple meanings, like the one discussed in this video, but also just that he's s joker card, which yeah, can be any card [There's also his attacks being all diamonds, clubs, spades and hearts but i don't think i need to elaborate more in that sense].

[@turtle4283]

39:15 I disagree with this because Kris slashed the tires in chapter 2. What primal desire would make them want to do something as specific as that? We also see them turning on the TV and opening the door before they make a new fountain, so I believe what Kris is doing is very methodical when they tear out their SOUL.

[@loubaxo9339]

There's also a really good video on KZbin that connects Sans, Jevil and Spamton with other philosophies (absurdism, sartrianism and egoism, respectively).

[@cwolf0915]

Does anyone maybe think that...I dunno... could it be that kris is the one who's dead? Maybe... his body is being possessed? Maybe something else has taken control of his body the day he ran away from the bunker. Maybe it's what's keeping him barely alive, but unable to control his own actions. Ugh now that I hear myself explaining this it makes little sense...

[@gfinelli1769]

I always play Snow Grave. It's the most fun route in the game.

[@vordreller6428]

2 horses... or perhaps... two cherubs? One with great hate for the story, its creator and its enjoyers. And another with great love for the story and the characters. Though sometimes this love is more like obsession. And the characters stuck in the middle? Poor them. If they're aware at all...

[@Mr.Nullbody_]

wait why would gaster get up and go eat a pie as kris

[@sillypinkmoth]

needed that full heal

[@MeloniestNeon]

He was hungry bro, and he knows Toriel makes them _good_ pies from his time as the royal scientist, can't blame him for being hungry when he literally doesn't have a physical form!

[@petruciosxd1374]

To act as a red herring. (That's what he says, but bro just wanted that unmatched snail flavor. 😌)

[@moppermop5287]

12:38 If that was their motivation, why didn't Kris just wait a day or two to see if another dark fountain pops up on its own, as they have been recently, instead of immediately endangering the whole world?

[@Bovineprogrammer]

"What if I told you that you already decided whether or not you were going to click on this video before you even woke up this morning?" Joke's on you, I added it to my queue yesterday.

[@angrymagnets3317]

Really cool how you explored the soul through a Greek philosophy viewpoint, I haven't seen anyone else try and discuss this aspect of Deltarune through that lens. Only issue with the video is your audio balance was extremely out of wack in a few places and it made for some very quiet moments and a few surprise ears-getting-blasted moments

[@537mongooses]

Not gonna lie if the "weird route" is just the player corrupting a new npc every chapter, I'll be really disappointed. Not just because it'd be a lazy rehash but because it would take away from what made the Snowgrave route work so well. It's uniqueness in its execution.

[@Kyumifun]

By the way, about the souless scenes... Many people assume Kris is moving so weirdly because they don't have their soul but the chapter 1 ending shows Kris moving weirdly before ripping their soul out so it can't really be just struggling to stay alive without a soul. Also, in the dark world the soul comes out of their body each time there's a fight. And when Susie battles Lancer, the soul appears yet again during the dodging segments. Kris can live without the soul just fine. Unless their struggle in the ending was them trying to break out of the soul's orders, as it already "ordered" them to stay in bed. I think they're just simply tired and hungry in chapter 1 since they haven't ate anything assuming the dark world food doesn't acctually quell one's hunger (Susie also eats a lot of things in DW but still feels hungry anyway, but maybe she's a bit of a glutton.) And in chapter 2 we also don't see them have breakfast or anything, so the pie thing doesn't have to be a part of their secret scheme.

[@glareninja]

it could also be that “our choices dont matter” is something we are rebelling against.

[@alejotassile6441]

I find the snowgrave fun, not because it's a sadistic thing to do, but because it's such a HUGE change of pace from the "happy go lucky" route from the normal game It's like watching a horror movie, I don't think what the characters do is justified or right, but I find it entertaining to be horrified by their actions I wanna see how much Toby can push this narrative, I wanna be like "oh god why is this happening"! haha

[@Michal-je1hx]

26:00 the part where Kris and Ralsei look towards the player reminds me of Spamton's line "[Heaven], are you WATCHING?" as the act of looking straight into the eyes of the fourth wall