Unveiling the Secrets of Undertale’s True Reset: A Comprehensive Guide

So, you’re contemplating a True Reset in Undertale? You’ve come to the right place! Buckle up, because we’re about to dive deep into what this option entails, its implications, and whether it’s the right choice for you. In short, a True Reset in Undertale after achieving the True Pacifist Ending essentially wipes the slate clean, making it feel like you’re playing the game for the very first time. Characters will have no memory of your previous playthroughs, and the world will revert to its initial state. However, this is not the case with a Genocide Route completion, which taints the game even after the reset.

The Significance of a Clean Slate

At its core, the True Reset is about narrative closure and the weight of your decisions. After achieving the True Pacifist Ending, the game gently nudges you towards letting the characters live their happy lives, free from your intervention. A True Reset respects this ending, offering a sense of finality.

What Actually Changes?

• Memory Wipe: Most importantly, the characters forget you. No lingering “hunches” or déjà vu moments. It’s a genuine fresh start for them.
• World State: The Underground reverts to its pre-determined state, ready for you to embark on a new adventure.
• File Reset: The game’s data file (undertale.ini) is largely erased.
• Name and everything: The player’s name is reset, so you can choose it again.

The Dark Side: Genocide’s Lingering Shadow

It’s crucial to understand that completing a Genocide Route fundamentally alters the game in a way that even a True Reset cannot fully erase. After completing a Genocide run, the Pacifist ending is tainted. The effects are permanent until you manually erase your file.

Is a True Reset Ever “Worth It?”

This is entirely subjective! The game itself subtly discourages it after a True Pacifist Ending. As Flowey eloquently puts it, at some point, you have to let them go. However, if you crave the experience of a completely unspoiled playthrough, a True Reset is the only way to achieve it.

The Ethical Dilemma

Many players grapple with the ethical implications of a True Reset, especially after a True Pacifist Ending. Are you disrupting a happy ending for your own amusement? It’s a question worth pondering. Some argue that the reset mechanic itself is a core theme of the game, exploring concepts of choice, consequence, and the player’s role as a puppeteer. Considering these themes can lead to deeper engagement with Undertale.

Factors to Consider Before Resetting

• Your Motivation: Why do you want to reset? Are you seeking a fresh experience, or are you hoping to undo a mistake?
• The Characters: Are you comfortable erasing their memories and potentially subjecting them to different outcomes?
• Genocide History: Have you completed a Genocide Route? If so, be prepared for its lasting impact.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Undertale’s True Reset

Here are some frequently asked questions for anyone who is considering doing a True Reset in Undertale.

1. Does Flowey remember a True Reset?

Yes and no. If you beat a True Pacifist route, Flowey states that even his memories will be wiped if one does such a reset. This implies that he will not remember you at the start of a new run after the True Reset.

2. Does a True Reset erase the Genocide Route’s consequences?

No. Even a True Reset can’t erase the consequences of completing a Genocide Route. The only way to “undo” those consequences is by erasing your file manually. If the Genocide Route is completed, the First Human destroys the world.

3. What if I reset normally instead of doing a True Reset after Pacifist?

Resetting normally (without completing the True Pacifist Ending) allows certain characters to retain fragments of memory from previous playthroughs, leading to unique dialogue options. A normal reset makes some people actually remember what you’ve done, but only if you do NOT complete the True Pacifist.

4. Does Toriel remember me after a reset?

After a reset, characters only remember things they are really passionate about. Toriel remembers what your preference is, because your well-being is important to her. It only appears as a ‘hunch’ though.

5. Does Papyrus remember resets?

Papyrus is 100% passionate about you, thus he remembers you, although not enough to recognize you fully.

6. Does Frisk remember anything after a True Reset?

After a True Reset, Frisk does not seem to remember any of that just like the other monsters. The only character that seems to remember things after a True Reset is post-genocide Chara.

7. Can you get the True Pacifist ending if you kill anyone?

One kill will lock off the True Pacifist Undertale ending. You can flee battles, but the best approach is to use actions that will allow you to spare the monsters. Each monster requires a specific action to be spared.

8. What happens if I reset before killing Sans in a Genocide Route?

Nothing specific happens if you reset right at that point. It would yield the same result as resetting a few rooms earlier or anywhere in new home. However, if you reset AFTER beating Sans but before you meet Asgore, Flowey is upset.

9. Does killing Flowey ruin a True Pacifist run?

Killing Flowey at the end does not count against your Pacifist playthrough.

10. How does Sans know about resets?

The only thing Sans knows about resets is that they are things that happen sometimes. That’s it. Sans is just really, REALLY observant.

11. What are the different endings in Undertale?

Undertale‘s endings can be divided into three main endings:

• The Neutral Ending
• The True Pacifist Ending
• The Genocide Ending

12. What is the hardest ending to achieve in Undertale?

Yeah, “pacifist” (spare-em-all) runs are generally the easiest, “neutral” (kill atleast one boss, but not all) runs seem in the middle, and “genocide” (kill-em-all) runs tend to be the hardest.

13. How do I activate the Genocide Route?

It’s simple- kill every single monster you encounter. Eventually, the music will be replaced by creepy music, and you’ll be told how many monsters are left. Once you meet the quota of monster kills, you’ll stop getting random encounters. After that, the only thing left is to fight Toriel in the Ruins.

14. Why can Frisk reset?

The nature of the underground: Some fans speculate that the nature of the underground in Undertale is what allows Frisk to reset. The underground is a magical place where time and space operate differently, and some believe that this allows Frisk to reset and change the outcome of the story.

15. How do I beat Flowey?

Once all six souls have been dealt with Flowey’s DEF will drop to zero and your HP will be fully restored. He’ll fall back on his all out attacks but the souls will continue to throw out healing items, so providing you hit the Fight button every time it appears the fight should be over fairly quickly from here.

The Verdict

The decision to perform a True Reset in Undertale is a personal one, laden with narrative and ethical considerations. Weigh the potential benefits against the implications for the characters and the story. There is a wealth of information about gaming and learning at the Games Learning Society. Be sure to visit GamesLearningSociety.org for more information. Only then can you make an informed choice that aligns with your own gaming philosophy. Happy playing!