Each chapter of Deltarune feels like it has its own themes in addition to advancing the overall story, and in the case of Chapter 5 various relationships are the primary focus. Families! Friendships! Folks actually becoming a couple! Even the Weird Route gets in on it! It really sets a tone that helps deepen our understanding of characters’ connections, and it feels like it happens at a really good time. Editor’s Note: There will be some minor spoilers for Deltarune Chapter 5 relationship developments below. Deltarune Chapter 5 begins with more of a happy and lighthearted setup, though on the Weird Route there are some early ominous and heart-wrenching moments. We see Toriel still in high spirits after a night with Sans. Asgore seems prepared and determined to reclaim his Flower King position. Susie is going to go on an actual date with Noelle. We get to see that potential couple grow closer, while Kris seems maybe happy as well? Of course, things can’t stay that way. There’s a new Dark Fountain, which leads to a clear Undertale reference in the new villain there Flowery and puts Asgore in danger. But even when the Dark World portion of Deltarune Chapter 5 comes up, it still maintains this focus on relationships between people. The biggest one feels like the new dynamic between Susie and Noelle. They’re acknowledged as a proper couple in the non-Weird Route. We get to see the results of what’s practically a proper date between the two. This changed relationship also feels like it’ll affect the future chapters, considering Susie’s new push to include her in different aspects. This chapter focusing on Asgore also means more insights into the Dreemurrs family. We knew that he and Toriel are divorced, and going into a Dark World to save him and focus on him gives us a chance to unpack the incident and trauma that led him down this path. We get a better understand of why he’s so determined to try and break Toriel’s boundaries. While this does mean some incident elements are vague, we do get a much better idea of his thoughts on the situation and things with Toriel, Asriel, and Kris. There’s also this dynamic between Ralsei and Flowery. Those who played Undertale realize the connections between the two. Here, the villain keeps pushing the hero’s buttons. The way I read into it is that, while Flowery is a bother to the trio as a whole, he gets under Ralsei’s skin the most. However, there are certain moments we can see that almost suggest that relationship could make Ralsei better understand what the character wants going forward. So even though that’s antagonistic, it almost comes across as being for the greater good. Finally, there’s the Weird Route. I’m only going to briefly touch on this, in order to avoid spoilers. But it gives Kris and Noelle their own moment. It establishes her feelings after past events in this alternate path, while also offers more context for what Kris is dealing with because of the SOUL’s influence. It’s incredibly mysterious and unsettling, as usual, but opens up even more questions than the past alternate side due to how things close out. Deltarune Chapter 5 is basically a fantastic way to better understand the connections and relationships between characters. We see a lot of growth and development for folks like Kris, Susie, Noelle, Ralsei, and even Asgore. And much of it feels like it’s helping prepare for future plot points and developments. Deltarune Chapters 1-5 are available for the Switch, Switch 2, PS4, PS5, and PC. Chapter 6 is in development.