Deltarune: Chapter 1
2018
- role-playing (rpg)
- turn-based strategy (tbs)
- adventure
- indie
- fantasy
- comedy
- single player
The story
The story follows a human named Kris who lives in a world inhabited by monsters. Kris and a classmate named Susie fall into an unknown place called the "Dark World" where they meet Ralsei, who informs them that they are heroes destined to save the world. The trio meets various beings who call themselves "Darkners" during a prophesied quest to seal the duplicate Dark Fountain. Mainly through the combat system, the player navigates through different kinds of bullet hell attacks by enemies, which can be resolved peacefully or through violence.
What it’s like
Crisp pixel-art sprites drift across soft, saturated backdrops of a schoolyard, a rain-washed town and a dark-world forest rendered in deep violets and glowing greens, with the bright, cartoonish look shifting into rich, shadowy dungeon corridors. The music is the real draw: bouncy chiptune melodies and warm, looping tracks that swell into cheerful big-band or lush orchestral moments. Combat plays out as a dodge-the-bullets puzzle inside a small box, where you weave a heart through dense patterns of projectiles while enemies can be talked down rather than fought. The vibe is playful and gently strange, with a friendly, self-aware humour that sits alongside a faint undercurrent of unease. Pacing is brisk and chatty, with lots of banter between a trio of friends who slowly grow into their roles, and the emotional register stays light even when the story turns uncanny. Violence is cartoonish and bloodless, with fights resolved through jokes or mercy if you prefer; there are a few tense boss encounters and some spooky moments, but nothing graphic. It suits anyone who wants a witty, quirky adventure that rewards curiosity and kindness, especially fans of charming, offbeat RPGs.
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