Random Deltarune chapter 4 thoughts behind the cut! Again, spoilers all the way to the chapter's ending
-I guess Kris headed home after hiding whatever they did at the bunker in the transition between chapters... But despite that, this chapter sheds a lot of light on what their plan is. I think Kris already knows the codes, but they're not telling us.
-The legend of Deltarune is an actual literal religious scripture in this world... That's so bizarre to think of. I wonder how much of the prophecy is written in Gerson's books?
-Rudy's pushing himself too much, I hope he'll be okay... The conversation between him and Toriel was really illuminating though. Seems like the reason Toriel's cold to both Asgore and Carol is because of their shared obsession... The conspiracy board in Asgore's basement and the vague wording of whatever work he's doing at the Holiday mansion, and Toriel saying Carol's enabling Asgore... I'm pretty sure they're working to try and find Dess. But that raises more questions...
-Went and grabbed Asriel's five bucks for the sake of feeding Kris and Susie, I'm sure he'd understand. I totally left Noelle waiting after she invited us in though, sorry. (Susie making it sound like a date didn't help either... I'm so sorry, Noelle...) The diner scene was so sweet though, and based on Susie mentioning Kris was smiling they enjoyed it too. I wonder what Kris told Susie that made her wonder if Kris was being serious or messing with her.
-Noelle and Susie's interactions were so cute! Sure, Noelle being awkward at first was cute, but when they get talking and get more comfortable with each other things get even better. I've hear people complain that Noelle and Susie are like a repeat of Undyne and Alphys, but I feel like their dynamic's pretty different at this point.
-Naturally agreed to go to the festival with Berdly when he asked. Pretty sure he thinks he's the star of a dating sim now.
-So. Kris. I was pretty sure they were working towards a different goal than I was, but this confirms it. Not just me, but they're working against Susie's goals, too. Loved seeing Kris walk around without me though, I always want to know more about what they're like. I guess they're the kind of person that chugs cola as soon as they're free from my control, and the kind of person who hides under beds to chuck pucks at me and whacks me with a hockey stick. Hell yeah kiddo, go feral, do what you want. Wish you weren't obeying the orders of the person on the phone though.
-The mystery voice on the phone that may be the Knight who may be Carol is definitely giving Kris the orders, but that raises the question, if it's Carol, does Asgore know? If he knows, how much? Would he really be okay with Kris doing this?
-The dynamic of Susie actively and passionately trying to find the codes while Kris is trying to prevent her and me from doing so is really interesting. The game managed to write a situation where the protagonist is actively working with the main antagonist and make it work from a writing standpoint. It's all thanks to Kris being a silent protagonist and a separate person from the player that it all works. Props to Toby Fox and his love of games that play with meta concepts!
-Carol is just like I'd expected from what we heard of her before this chapter... Cold, powerful, up to something, the reason to a lot of Noelle's behavior. Her very presence makes the room colder, and the hates Susie... She has to be the Knight. She just feels like the main antagonist. I get a strong "I want to defeat her to protect Susie, Kris and Noelle but I'm not strong enough yet, she's too intimidating" feeling when thinking of her. She's perfect for the final boss role because I already want to fight her! Looking forward to seeing more of her!
-Ralsei... He's going through a lot. The very fact that the prophecy is in the church makes him stressed out and hurting inside, and of course he hides it to not worry his friends. Early on I already had a feeling he was starting to hate his role in the story, but it seems he's hated it from the beginning... He already knows the one ending to the story, and the more time he spends with Kris and Susie, the more he doesn't want to see that ending, whatever it is. And I'm certain he knows I'm here and a separate person from Kris, too. He's growing less enthusiastic about his "close your eyes and think about what Susie's doing" sessions too, so maybe he really is working with Kris towards their goal because he thinks there's nothing else he can do... I don't know, it doesn't totally add up, but it'd make sense.
-Gerson's great. The Sans-type unassuming but surprisingly powerful guy, no wonder he's the secret boss. I didn't manage to defeat him, though... I thought at first he was a Darkner that didn't realize it because he was based on a Lightener's book version, but the reveal that his literal ashes were in the church was a shock. Alvin, what the fuck? Susie reacted very appropriately to finding out she was basically looking at a corpse.
-After Gerson encouraged Susie to keep using her healing, I wanted to try and use it more, but most of the bosses were the "limited TP" type so every single TP was precious... It really sucked not being able to use any of the regular spells since they were too expensive for what they did.
-I'm so glad Kris got to play the piano properly. And after her story, I had to encourage Susie to play, too... Her healing spell and her piano skills feel very connected. Kris' piano skills... also feel like they're connected. To freedom, I guess. Kris getting to play piano on their own coincides with them starting to get more freedom from the player... But the player's not the only one tying them down.
-Actually, Kris, Susie and Ralsei all feel like they're starting to rebel against the story written for them. Susie is going against the expectations that she's the "bad girl", Ralsei is starting to believe that breaking the prophecy is possible, and Kris is starting to waver between the orders they're following and Susie's goal to defeat the Knight and save Undyne. Just like the secret bosses, they've got themes of freedom all around.
-The biggest question now is the end of the prophecy. Both Ralsei and Susie know it now, and it's likely Kris knows too. And whatever it is, Susie and Ralsei at least don't want it to happen. My first guess at what it might be, based on their reactions, is... "Susie will sacrifice herself to save the world." But it could be a lot of different things. Susie has a lot of people she cares about and would want to protect, after all. Her reaction makes me think it's about herself, though.
-Good for Toriel and Sans, poor Susie and Kris having to witness drunk Toriel. Kris especially was suffering... I like how they immediately got up when they heard Susie's voice outside, though. You can really tell Kris genuinely likes Susie a lot. I wonder what the promise Kris made to mystery phone person... If it's Carol like it seems, probably to save Dess. But it seems Kris will have to decide between keeping the promise and Susie, especially if the prophecy says Susie will die... Well, that's still just a theory.
-Shoutout to Gaster dropping in at the end to reveal some great news. After chapter 4, we're at the halfway point, so there's eight chapters in total! Also, chapter 5 is releasing next year!
-This chapter was so long, there's probably a lot of things I'm forgetting to mention now, and a lot of things I probably missed. Didn't even find the egg man... And this chapter probably has a weird route, but I can't imagine what that'd involve. If it has to do with Noelle again, it'd probably involve doing something while separate from Kris in Noelle's house. I'm sure somebody will find it soon.
-Closing thoughts: I've noticed I'm starting to refer to the soul/player as myself more often when talking about it. I think it has to do with how this chapter made the difference between what Kris does and what the player does more distinct. Characters other than Kris interacting with the soul and becoming aware of it also helps. Noelle carried me off like a bug under a cup while Kris was crawling under Dess' bed to ambush me if I approach the guitar, and that's just a thing that canonically happened in Deltarune... What an incredible game.
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