The Lingering Shadow: What Happens After a Genocide Reset in Undertale?
The question of what happens after a Genocide run reset in Undertale is a complex one, steeped in the game’s unique mechanics and narrative depth. The simple answer is: a reset after completing a Genocide route doesn’t erase the consequences entirely. While you might think you’re wiping the slate clean, Undertale remembers your actions, leaving a permanent mark on subsequent playthroughs, particularly on the True Pacifist ending. This shadow of your past actions creates a chilling and thought-provoking experience for players.
The Unerasable Stain: Consequences of a Genocide Run
A standard reset or even a True Reset after a Genocide run does not undo the changes. This means the game subtly alters, adding elements that reflect your violent path through the Underground. The most noticeable change appears during a subsequent True Pacifist run. Instead of the heartwarming conclusion, you’ll witness the chilling Soulless Pacifist ending, where the character Frisk displays a disturbing red-eyed smile, suggesting that the player’s influence as a killer still lingers, potentially to destroy the happy ending later on. This is the game’s way of ensuring that your past actions are not without consequence. The presence of the malevolent entity Chara becomes a more prominent aspect of the gameplay, and your past choices become impossible to ignore.
Why Can’t You Simply Reset Away Your Sins?
The game’s core message is that actions have lasting consequences. The reset mechanic in Undertale isn’t a simple ‘do-over’. It’s more of a shift between timelines, each subtly influenced by previous events. Once you’ve completed a Genocide run, you’ve fundamentally changed the nature of your save file, and the game reflects this shift in every subsequent playthrough. The game does not let you get away with your past actions. This is not a technical glitch, but a deliberate choice by the developers to create a more morally grey gaming experience. This is not something that a simple reset can remove, instead, the game will be aware of your past playthrough.
Only Manual Deletion Can Restore the True Pacifist
The only way to fully “undo” the effects of a Genocide run is by manually deleting your save file. This drastic measure effectively erases the game’s memory of your actions, allowing for a fresh start. But it begs the question: are you willing to take such an action? While this offers a clean slate to play with the game again, the fact that you have to resort to such measures emphasizes the game’s core point, that actions do have lasting consequences.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can you reset after a Genocide run?
Yes, you can reset after a Genocide run, either through the standard menu option or a True Reset. However, the game will remember your actions. These actions leave a lasting effect and it is not easily removed by a simple reset.
2. What happens if you do a Neutral run after a Genocide run?
Neutral runs remain mostly unchanged after a Genocide run. The core gameplay and storyline remain the same. The game does not change that much when you decide to do a neutral run after a Genocide run.
3. What is the Soulless Pacifist ending?
The Soulless Pacifist ending occurs when you attempt a True Pacifist run after completing a Genocide run. The final cutscene is altered. Frisk’s eyes turn red, and the game implies that Chara is now in control and will ultimately cause more harm to the game.
4. Does Undertale remember after a True Reset?
Yes and no. A True Reset wipes the memories of the game’s characters, but the game itself retains a memory of certain overarching choices, particularly the completion of a Genocide route. Even a true reset cannot restore the original outcome of the game.
5. Does Sans know if you reset?
Sans is aware of multiple timelines, and he acknowledges your ability to save, reload, and reset. However, he doesn’t remember specific events from previous timelines. He may sense a familiarity with the player, but he doesn’t specifically recall.
6. Does Flowey know about resets?
Yes, Flowey retains memory of resets. This allows him to remember how many times you’ve attempted to get a specific ending and remembers when you have completed a genocide run. He also remembers when you have killed other characters.
7. Can you spare Sans in a Genocide run?
No, you cannot spare Sans in a Genocide run. Attempting to spare him will trigger an inescapable death trap. The only option in a genocide run is to kill Sans.
8. Does a True Reset erase the Genocide Route’s effects?
No, a True Reset does not erase the lasting effects of a Genocide run. The changes will persist in future playthroughs. It only wipes the memory of the characters, not the underlying damage.
9. What happens if you do Genocide twice in Undertale?
After the first Genocide run, you “sell your soul” to Chara to play again. After a second Genocide run, the world is erased again. This is the same ending as the first run.
10. What is the true Genocide ending in Undertale?
The True Genocide ending is achieved by killing every monster in the game and triggering all random encounters. This path will ultimately taint the save file, so that the future will be changed because of it.
11. What happens if you reset before killing Sans during Genocide?
If you reset before killing Sans, the Genocide route is effectively aborted. This means the save file is not permanently altered, allowing you to pursue other paths without the Genocide consequences.
12. How do you reset after Chara kills you?
After being killed by Chara at the end of a Genocide run, you must wait about 10 minutes. Chara will return to ask to continue and if you say yes the game will reset. However the true pacifist ending will be changed.
13. Does Flowey remember after a True Reset?
Flowey does not retain memory after a True Reset. He states that even his memories will be wiped if one performs such an action. However, if you do not do a true reset, he will remember what you have done.
14. What happens to Dr. Alphys in a Genocide run?
During a Genocide run, the Underground is ultimately destroyed, meaning any monsters inside it are gone. In some neutral endings, it is implied that Alphys commits suicide due to her guilt. This does not happen in the genocide run though.
15. Who is aware of resets in Undertale?
Sans and Flowey are the two most prominent characters who are aware of resets. Papyrus also shows a hint of knowledge about the resets. Some of the characters also show signs of familiarity.
Conclusion
The aftermath of a Genocide reset in Undertale underscores the game’s thoughtful exploration of player agency and the lasting impact of choices. It’s a reminder that, even in a virtual world, some actions leave an indelible mark, not easily wiped away by a simple restart. It’s a unique message, which few other games can boast, making Undertale a deeply meaningful and memorable experience. This adds a whole new level to the meaning of the choices that the player makes throughout the game. This is also why, the game is still loved to this day.