The follow-up to indie mega-hit Undertale, Deltarune has been releasing in chapters as creator Toby Fox and his small team finishes them. So far, two chapters have been made available as freeware on PS4, Switch, and PC--though future installments may be paid. Both chapters feature the same offbeat humor, endearing characters, and experimental, genre-blending gameplay that made Undertale so beloved, but amped up to new levels. While the chapters are short, they're hard to put down, and once you've started playing, it's tough to stop until you've hit the endpoint.

Part of the enduring appeal of Undertale has been the numerous hidden secrets, Easter eggs, and small hints of something bigger and more sinister going on in this world of monsters--hints which have continued through into Deltarune. The the "genocide" path in Undertale, which takes the story down a cruel, bloodthirsty road of death and destruction--with permanent consequences for subsequent playthroughs--has also spurred a great deal of discussion over the years. With Chapter 2, it feels Deltarune is building on some of the dark undercurrents of Undertale. While Deltarune Chapter 1 was mostly straightforward in its story, Chapter 2 presents an alternate path for players to discover--one that portrays a dark and disturbing story of abuse and manipulation that is shockingly raw and terrifying.

A short way through Chapter 2, you part ways with your usual party members, Susie and Ralsei, only to be paired up with Noelle, a deer-girl with a timid demeanor and a newfound talent for ice magic. She basically takes on the role of the mage in your party: weak with powerful attack magic. Much like Undertale, you don't have to kill any enemy you encounter. In fact, Deltarune encourages you to spare them by creating a village where all your spared enemies can live. However, you can also choose a path of violence--and perhaps even more disturbingly, you can manipulate Noelle into joining you in your destruction.