Is Kris the Bad Guy in Deltarune? Unraveling the Mystery
The question of whether Kris Dreemurr is the antagonist in Deltarune is complex and lacks a straightforward answer. While the game presents them as the player-controlled protagonist, certain actions and events suggest a much darker narrative. The truth is, Kris is not inherently evil, but their actions, particularly towards the end of the game chapters, raise serious questions about their true nature and motivations. This article will delve deep into the evidence, arguments, and nuances of Kris’s character to determine if they are indeed the villain of the story or a misunderstood character caught in a complex web of destiny and circumstance.
The Protagonist with a Dark Side
On the surface, Kris is the human “Lightner” and one of the three heroes prophesied to stop the Roaring and the Angel’s Heaven. For the majority of the game, the player controls Kris, guiding them through exploration, combat, and puzzle-solving within the Dark Worlds. They are presented as a mostly silent and seemingly obedient character, following the player’s commands. However, beneath this facade lies a character capable of unsettling acts and displays a disturbing disregard for the player’s agency.
The most prominent example of this is at the end of each chapter, where Kris rips out their own soul. This action is always followed by a sinister, almost predatory smile, and sometimes involves them wielding a knife and even slashing car tires, behavior completely separate from player input. This points to a separation between the player’s control and Kris’s independent will, suggesting a hidden agenda or a dark influence not fully understood. The fact that this occurs repeatedly at the end of every chapter that has been released so far makes the actions feel less like isolated incidents and more like a pattern of a character struggling with a darker side.
Understanding the Knight and Kris’s Potential Role
The primary antagonist of Deltarune, as it stands, is The Knight, who is responsible for creating the Dark Fountains that threaten both the Light and Dark Worlds. The Knight’s motivations are unclear, and their identity remains a mystery. While some theories suggest a direct link between Kris and the Knight, evidence within the game contradicts this. For example, characters like the Kings and Lancer would likely immediately recognize Kris if they were the Knight, given that they interact with them frequently throughout the game.
However, it’s important to recognize Kris might be a pawn or a tool being manipulated by some external force even if they are not the knight directly. The recurring “soul ripping” scenes could be interpreted as moments where the force controlling Kris (potentially the same force behind the Knight) takes back control. Their actions at the end of each chapter are highly deliberate and consistently disturbing, indicating a clear shift in their behavior when not under the player’s control.
The theory that some darkness seeped into Kris’s Soul after Ralsei left, during a weakened state, adds another layer of complexity. If this theory holds true, the darkness could be corrupting Kris’ actions, resulting in their disturbing behavior.
The Player’s Perspective and Control
A crucial aspect of this discussion is the player’s role in Deltarune. The game often toys with the idea of agency. While players are meant to believe they are controlling Kris, they are frequently reminded of their limitations. This lack of full agency, combined with Kris’s sudden and violent outbursts, highlights that something is deeply amiss. Kris’s actions outside of the player’s direct control raise the question of whether they are a willing or unwilling participant in whatever larger plan is at play.
There is also an interesting theory that the game’s character, Gaster, could be part of the external forces acting upon Kris. If you name the vessel, or player character, “Kris,” “Susie,” or “Noelle,” you will get the response, “
So, Is Kris the Villain?
Ultimately, it’s too early to definitively label Kris as the villain of Deltarune. The story is still ongoing, and the information is still developing, making it difficult to draw concrete conclusions. While Kris exhibits concerning behavior that borders on malicious, they are also a victim of circumstance and an unwilling participant in the larger narrative. It would be more accurate to describe Kris as a complex and troubled character whose true intentions and motivations remain shrouded in mystery. This leaves room for them to be redeemed or to fall further into darkness depending on the paths they take in the coming chapters.
The question of whether Kris is the “bad guy” may not have a simple yes or no answer, and the focus might instead be on understanding the forces acting upon them and the broader narrative that is developing within the game. It is likely that the true nature of Kris will be explored further in future chapters, hopefully bringing to light the complex relationship between their character, player control, and the underlying darker elements.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the Prophecy in Deltarune?
The Prophecy in Deltarune speaks of three heroes, a Human (Kris), a Monster (Ralsei), and a Darkner (Susie), who will come together to stop the Roaring, a cataclysmic event that will destroy both Light and Dark Worlds.
2. Who is The Knight in Deltarune?
The Knight is the main antagonist responsible for creating the Dark Fountains that threaten the worlds in Deltarune. The Knight’s true identity and motives are still shrouded in mystery.
3. Is Kris possessed by Chara from Undertale?
No, Kris is not possessed by Chara from Undertale. Deltarune is a separate story with its own characters. The developers explicitly stated that Kris is their own character and not related to Chara.
4. Why does Kris rip out their Soul?
Kris rips out their soul at the end of each chapter, most likely as a way of the darker element taking back control. This action is followed by a change in their behavior, suggesting that they are not fully in control of their actions.
5. What is the significance of Kris’s knife?
The knife Kris wields after removing their Soul is a symbol of potential violence and the darker forces at play. It hints at their capacity for harm and the potential for them to embrace a more antagonistic role.
6. Is Deltarune a direct sequel to Undertale?
No, Deltarune is not a direct sequel to Undertale. Though there are many similarities and shared themes, they are separate stories with their own distinct characters and narratives.
7. What is the significance of the color black for Ralsei?
Ralsei’s black appearance is due to being in the shadows of his hat and tunic. When he removes his hat, he is revealed to have white fur.
8. Is there a pacifist or genocide route in Deltarune?
Not in the traditional sense of Undertale. While you can spare or fight enemies, there are currently no drastically different routes, except for the Snowgrave route. This route involves having Noelle do things outside of her usual behavior, resulting in a route where your character is more villainous. The exact effect on future chapters is currently unknown.
9. Who is Ralsei, and what is his role?
Ralsei is a monster and one of the three prophesied heroes, deeply devoted to helping Kris and Susie. He acts as a guide and healer, though his true motives are still somewhat mysterious.
10. What is the Snowgrave Route in Deltarune Chapter 2?
The Snowgrave Route is a hidden route in Deltarune Chapter 2 that is started by manipulating Noelle into freezing enemies to the point of death. This route highlights the dark side of the game and allows for a more evil playthrough.
11. Does Kris have a crush on Susie?
There is strong evidence to suggest that Kris views Susie as their favorite person, which could indicate a romantic interest, but this is left somewhat ambiguous for the player to interpret.
12. How does Deltarune address the player’s control?
Deltarune plays with the player’s agency by presenting moments where the character acts independently of the player’s commands. This challenges the notion that the player is truly in control.
13. Is it possible to stop Susie from attacking?
Yes, you can stop Susie from attacking by warning your enemies before she strikes, causing all of her attacks to miss and allowing you to spare them.
14. Who is the strongest enemy in Deltarune?
While difficulty can be subjective, some of the hardest bosses in Deltarune include Jevil and Spamton NEO.
15. Why is it significant that naming yourself Frisk or Chara yields a default response?
The fact that naming yourself Frisk or Chara only yields the default response in Deltarune, whereas Kris, Susie, or Noelle get special responses with Gaster’s line indicates that Deltarune is intentionally setting itself apart from Undertale and suggesting its own unique narrative.