Is Kris an Alternate Chara? Unpacking the Mysteries of Deltarune’s Protagonist
No, Kris is not simply an alternate Chara. While there are undeniable similarities and parallels drawn between the two characters across Undertale and Deltarune, a deeper analysis reveals a more complex relationship. Kris is their own character, experiencing their own struggles and possessing their own motivations, even if those motivations are often obscured by the player’s influence and potentially external forces like the Red SOUL and the Knight. The question is not whether they are Chara, but rather how their character interacts with Chara-like elements and the narrative themes they represent.
The Chara Connection: Surface Level Similarities
It’s impossible to ignore the obvious connections. Both Kris and Chara share similar sprites: they’re both child-like figures with striped shirts and a penchant for unsettling smiles in certain contexts. This visual similarity is immediately striking and undeniably intentional. Furthermore, both characters have demonstrated abilities to influence the world around them, though the nature and extent of that influence differ drastically. Chara, in Undertale, is presented as the instigator of the genocide route, a force driven by a distorted sense of justice or simple boredom. Kris, in Deltarune, engages in seemingly unprovoked acts of aggression, such as opening Dark Fountains, often while under the player’s presumed control.
Beyond the Surface: Diverging Paths and Intentions
However, relying solely on these surface-level similarities paints an incomplete picture. The core difference lies in intentionality and agency. In Undertale, Chara’s actions are largely dictated by the player’s choices. The player’s repeated genocidal acts awaken and empower Chara, who then takes control at the end, erasing the world. In Deltarune, Kris’s actions, while occasionally violent or disruptive, seem to be motivated by a desire to prevent something worse from happening. They create the Dark Fountains, but the reasons are unknown and potentially linked to the overall narrative threat.
Furthermore, Kris’s actions often feel like a struggle against control. The scenes where Kris removes their SOUL, and the unsettling cutscene at the end of Chapter 2, suggest a desperate attempt to break free from some form of external manipulation, be it the player’s influence, the Red SOUL, or the potential influence of the Knight. This contrasts starkly with Chara’s seemingly willing collaboration with the player during Undertale’s genocide route.
The Player’s Role: A Common Denominator?
A critical element in both games is the player’s role as an external force. In Undertale, the player directly controls Frisk and, by extension, influences Chara’s behavior. In Deltarune, the player controls Kris, but Kris actively resists this control. This raises the question of whether the player’s presence is the common thread linking Kris and Chara, rather than a direct identity connection. Perhaps both characters are vessels, susceptible to external influence, and their actions are shaped more by the player’s choices (or the player’s imposed limitations) than by inherent personality traits.
Thematic Resonance: Determination and Choice
Ultimately, the connection between Kris and Chara likely resides within the thematic resonance of determination and choice. Both games explore the impact of choices and the potential for manipulation. Chara represents the destructive potential of unchecked power and the consequences of a nihilistic worldview. Kris, on the other hand, seems to embody the struggle against control and the potential for resistance, even when faced with overwhelming forces. Their shared visual design serves to highlight these thematic parallels, urging players to consider the nature of control, free will, and the consequences of their actions within the context of the game.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Kris and Chara
1. What is the significance of the Red SOUL in Deltarune?
The Red SOUL is the entity the player uses to control Kris. It represents the player’s agency and ability to dictate Kris’s actions. However, the Red SOUL seems to be a source of conflict, as Kris frequently removes it, suggesting a desire to regain control of their own body and choices. The exact nature and origin of the Red SOUL remain mysterious.
2. Why does Kris remove their SOUL?
Kris removing their SOUL is likely a demonstration of their resistance against the player’s control. It suggests a desire to act independently and pursue their own goals, even if those goals are not immediately apparent. The removal of the SOUL also coincides with actions the player does not initiate, such as opening Dark Fountains.
3. Is the Knight Kris?
The identity of the Knight is a major mystery in Deltarune. While there’s no definitive answer, many theories point towards Kris being the Knight, possibly while acting independently of the player’s control. The fact that Kris creates Dark Fountains, a known activity of the Knight, lends credence to this theory.
4. Is Kris evil?
Kris’s morality is complex and ambiguous. They perform actions that could be considered good (protecting their friends), but they also perform actions that are unsettling or potentially harmful (opening Dark Fountains). Their motivations remain unclear, making it difficult to definitively label them as “evil.”
5. Is Kris possessed?
The idea of possession is a recurring theme in Deltarune. The player controls Kris through the Red SOUL, which could be interpreted as a form of possession. Additionally, the possibility of Kris being influenced by the Knight or other unknown forces further complicates the question of possession.
6. How are Kris’s actions different from Chara’s?
While both characters exhibit unsettling behavior, Chara’s actions in Undertale are primarily driven by the player’s genocidal choices. They essentially become an extension of the player’s destructive desires. Kris’s actions, on the other hand, often feel like a struggle against control, and their motivations are less clear and potentially linked to a larger narrative threat.
7. What are the parallels between the endings of Undertale and Deltarune (Chapters 1 & 2)?
Both games feature unsettling endings where the protagonist performs an action outside the player’s control. In Undertale’s genocide route, Chara erases the world. In Deltarune Chapters 1 and 2, Kris removes their SOUL and performs potentially dangerous actions, such as creating a Dark Fountain with a knife. These endings serve to highlight the player’s limited control and the characters’ capacity for independent action.
8. Is there a connection between Gaster and Kris?
Gaster’s presence is felt throughout both Undertale and Deltarune, though his role remains enigmatic. Some theories suggest that Gaster may be influencing Kris or manipulating events behind the scenes. The connection, if any, is still largely speculative.
9. How does Deltarune deconstruct player agency?
Deltarune actively challenges the player’s sense of control and agency. The game frequently reminds the player that their choices “don’t matter,” and Kris’s actions often contradict the player’s intended actions. This deconstruction forces players to confront the limitations of their control and the characters’ potential for independent thought and action.
10. What is the significance of Kris being non-binary?
Kris’s gender identity is intentionally ambiguous. They are referred to with they/them pronouns, and their gender is not explicitly stated in the game. This ambiguity contributes to the theme of identity and the potential for external forces to shape or define an individual. It allows players to project their own interpretations onto the character.
11. Does the “vessel” creation scene in Deltarune Chapter 1 foreshadow Kris’s role?
The failed vessel creation scene in Deltarune Chapter 1 is likely a meta-commentary on the player’s role in shaping the protagonist. The vessel is created to be a perfect hero, but it is ultimately rejected. This suggests that the game is not interested in fulfilling the player’s expectations of control or allowing them to create a perfect character.
12. What role does the soundtrack play in establishing Kris’s character?
The music associated with Kris is often melancholic and unsettling, reflecting their internal struggles and the sense of unease surrounding their actions. Certain tracks, like “Kris,” feature motifs that hint at deeper mysteries and connections to other characters or events in the game.
13. How does Kris differ from Frisk in Undertale?
While both Kris and Frisk are silent protagonists controlled by the player, their contexts and relationships to the narrative are vastly different. Frisk is largely a blank slate, allowing the player to project their own morality onto them. Kris, on the other hand, has a defined personality and history, and they actively resist the player’s control.
14. What is the significance of the knife that Kris wields?
The knife Kris wields at the end of Chapters 1 and 2 is a potent symbol of violence and potential danger. It raises questions about Kris’s intentions and the nature of the threat they are facing. The knife also connects thematically to Chara, who is associated with knives and violence in Undertale.
15. What are some key theories about Kris’s ultimate goal in Deltarune?
Many theories attempt to explain Kris’s motives. Some believe Kris is trying to prevent a greater threat by creating Dark Fountains. Others suggest they are acting under the influence of the Knight or Gaster. Still others believe Kris is simply trying to break free from the player’s control and reclaim their own agency. The ultimate goal remains one of Deltarune’s biggest mysteries.