I deconstruct the madness that is the Deltarune fandom and how it feels to be in it. This will likely be a divisive post for Deltarune fans. Note: There are no spoilers for Chapter 5 in this post. I started writing this post before Chapter 5 released, around June 10th-ish. I won't be including any information about it in here. In fact, we haven't played it yet. Just for fun, I'll describe the fandom through several "tion"s. It's not important, just a fun naming scheme. OBSERVATION: Experiencing Deltarune from the outside Deltarune, whether intentionally or not, has become something experienced just as much outside the game as inside the game. If you're reading this, you're probably in the same kinds of online circles and communities I am. Namely, queer and neurodivergent spaces. And there's no way you haven't heard of Deltarune, or at least Undertale. They're both massively popular indie games that have become somewhat mainstream. Fan art of the characters, especially the main trio of

Okay so hear me out. I just watched videogamedunkey's The Last of Us Part II follow-up video and it stirred some thoughts in me. I've never played that game but I was following along closely with what he was saying, and it's inspired me. It got me thinking about some of my unusual opinions on a few other games we like, and the idea blew up until I just had to write it down. So here's why the "murder route" in games doesn't always have to be one-dimensional. Spoilers for Undertale, Everhood, the Deponia series, Deltarune, and Iji In Undertale, the conceit of the game, even as far back as the game's Steam trailer, is all about choice and morality. Power is given to the player to choose to spare or kill every monster in the Underground. Now, in the game, you're very much steered toward pacifism. It's the far more rewarding route emotionally and from a story standpoint, and the true lab and the "true final boss" can only be unlocked by befriending and sparing everybody. You're made to feel