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How Many Endings Are There To Deltarune?

The short answer is: Deltarune officially has only one primary ending, as stated by creator Toby Fox. However, the story is far more nuanced than that simple statement suggests. While the overarching narrative and the grand finale remain consistent regardless of your choices, there are significant alternate routes that offer drastically different experiences, primarily focusing on individual player actions and their consequences. Think of it as a core ending with various diverging paths that heavily color your journey.

Understanding the Single “Ending”

Toby Fox has repeatedly emphasized that, unlike its predecessor Undertale, Deltarune will have only one true ending. This means the game’s overall conclusion will be the same regardless of how players interact with the world and its characters throughout the chapters. This single ending is the core narrative that Toby Fox intends to deliver, a story about the cyclical nature of conflict and the characters’ attempts to break free from those predetermined patterns. The player’s actions do not fundamentally alter the overall course of the narrative.

Why is there only one ending?

This choice, according to Toby Fox and the thematic core of the game, serves to highlight the ideas of fate and the limitations of player agency. The game seems designed to make players confront the concept that despite your best intentions or worst deeds, some things are destined to happen. This isn’t to say choices are meaningless, but rather, that they don’t control the larger arc of the story. This narrative decision has led to extensive discussions and theories within the Deltarune fanbase, as many find it hard to believe that their individual choices don’t impact the ending.

Alternate Routes, Not Endings

While there’s only one main ending, Deltarune offers alternate pathways, most prominently the Snowgrave Route (sometimes referred to as the “Weird” or “Genocide” Route). This is where the game becomes complex and interesting.

The Snowgrave Route

This route, accessible in Chapter 2, is a stark departure from the standard gameplay. It involves a very specific set of actions centered around manipulating Noelle into performing increasingly violent actions. Choosing this path creates a drastically darker, more unsettling experience filled with disturbing imagery and dialogue. The player has to make very specific choices, and is encouraged to be cruel and manipulative, to unlock it. The Snowgrave Route is a key example of how player actions dramatically alter the story even if the final destination remains consistent. While it doesn’t change the core ending, the journey and the implications for the characters are vastly different than the normal route.

Other Less Significant Deviations

Beyond the Snowgrave Route, there are smaller variations and altered character interactions based on choices made during the story, much like in Undertale. These choices can affect dialogues, character relationships, and even some minor game elements. However, these changes don’t deviate from the main storyline and do not lead to distinct endings.

The Question Mark: Is Toby Fox Lying?

Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of this discussion lies in the fact that the Steam and Itch.io store pages for Deltarune Chapters 1 and 2 include a question mark after stating there is only one ending. This subtle addition has fueled the idea that Toby Fox may be subtly hinting that there could be more than one true ending after all, or that there might be more to the story than he has explicitly stated. This is what keeps fans debating and theorizing, unwilling to accept that their actions don’t affect the conclusion, because the game implies that maybe, just maybe, they might. It reinforces the message that player choice matters even if it doesn’t fundamentally change the ending.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 FAQs to clarify any remaining questions about the endings and routes in Deltarune:

What is the main Deltarune ending? The main ending of Deltarune involves Kris ripping the soul out of their body. This is the overarching ending that is not affected by player choice and it is said to perpetuate a cycle of violence.
Is the Snowgrave Route a different ending? No. The Snowgrave Route is an alternate route within the game, but it does not lead to a different ending. It is part of the same singular ending, but the narrative leading to that conclusion is much darker and different than the standard route.
How do you start the Snowgrave Route? The Snowgrave Route starts in Chapter 2 after Noelle joins the party. It requires specific, often manipulative and cruel, actions when interacting with Noelle. The first step is usually forcing her to use IceShock, though there are many more specific steps involved.
What is the difference between Deltarune and Undertale’s endings? Undertale has multiple significantly different endings based on player choices. In contrast, Deltarune is designed to have a single primary ending, even though there are alternate paths that drastically change the story.
Does killing matter in Deltarune? Killing in Deltarune doesn’t change the overall ending, but it can impact specific character interactions and lead down alternate routes, particularly the Snowgrave Route.
Is there a pacifist ending in Deltarune? There is no distinct “pacifist ending” in the same way there is in Undertale. You are encouraged to play pacifist in the main route, but it doesn’t change the core ending.
What does the question mark mean regarding the ending? The question mark on the store pages hints at the possibility that there’s more to the ending than Toby Fox has revealed, suggesting alternate interpretations or deeper layers of narrative.
Is Kris a boy or a girl? Kris is referred to using gender-neutral pronouns and is not specifically male or female in the game.
Who is Ralsei and is he Asriel? Ralsei is a Darkner who is a key character in the game. Though he looks similar, he is NOT Asriel. Ralsei is believed to be a manifestation of Kris.
Is Deltarune the opposite of Undertale? In many ways, yes. Deltarune focuses more on fate and the limitations of player choice, while Undertale emphasizes player freedom. The two stories do have different themes and messages.
What is the significance of Ralsei’s crush on Kris? Ralsei’s crush on Kris adds a new dynamic to the story and implies there is more going on with the characters than meets the eye.
Is Ralsei a Darkner? Yes, Ralsei is a Darkner, and a prince from the Dark.
Is Kris Deltarune autistic? Some players have interpreted Kris’s behavior as potentially indicative of selective mutism, which can be associated with autism. However, this is not explicitly stated in the game.
Is Susie Deltarune a girl? Yes, Susie is a female character in the game.
What is the True Ending of Undertale? The true ending of Undertale is the True Pacifist Ending where you save everyone. However, the article states that all endings in Undertale are canon.

Conclusion

While Deltarune officially only has one main ending, the game offers a rich tapestry of alternate routes and significant narrative changes based on player actions, particularly in the Snowgrave Route. This combination of a predetermined ending with choice-driven alterations provides a unique gameplay experience that encourages players to engage with the story on multiple levels and contemplate the themes of destiny versus free will. Toby Fox’s question mark on the game’s store page continues to fuel speculation and invites players to look deeper into the seemingly finite ending of Deltarune, making the player a part of the mystery.

How many endings are there to Deltarune?