Overanalyzing the Environmental Storytelling in The Flower King Dark World.
So, originally this post was a lot different, but I sadly lost all of the wording, but I went back and re-did all of it!
I think there's a lot to say about the environmental storytelling of Deltarune that I think often goes unnoticed. A lot of the aspects of environment, level design, and world building seem to go unnoticed in the most part by the fandom, so I wanted to overanalyze and go in depth on my opinions for the different locations in the Chapter 5 Dark World! Additionally, there may be a bit of theory crafting here or there as I link the connections between separate events with the level design.
Garden of Hopes and Dreams
Starting off with the first location, the Garden of Hopes and Dreams immediately comes off to me as fake and set up. To an extent, this is correct, and for good reason.
As the Fun Gang and Asgore enter the Dark World, their first objective is to prevent Asgore from learning the truth about Dark Worlds. When Flowery comes by, it's his objective as well. Asgore, of course, plays along, but that doesn't hide the intention of the Garden of Hopes and Dreams.
Upon first being properly introduced to the Garden as an area, it's first shown to be a replica of the Field of Hopes and Dreams from Chapter 1 before a storm of sakura petals fly in and coat everything in a rose and pink color scheme. This is what originally caused me to believe in a more artificial vibe for the area, as well as its narrative echoes.
However, there is another narrative implication that seems to have me stumped. The area originally being the Field of Hopes and Dreams is odd, especially when considering that we never see any other repeated area across the entire game. Usually a given location stays within its Dark World, and isn't seen anywhere else. So, it's safe to say that this decision was very intentional. What does that mean?
One possible theory is that the Garden of Hopes and Dreams is meant to signify a new beginning. In Chapter 4, the voice guiding the SOUL refers to the ending of Chapter 4 to be the halfway point, which makes the Dark World of Chapter 5 the second half, and as such, a distinguished new beginning for the story. New characters and themes are introduced such as Love and Family. Although an argument can be made that those themes existed before then, these two themes are still heavily covered in chapter 5.
Which brings us to another point about the location, being the Japanese architecture that reoccurs throughout the chapter, as well as the Sakura trees that cover the entire location, blanketing it in petals. A lot of people seem to be interpreting this decision as “Asgore is a weeb” or some variation of that, but I think it's far more likely that the environment is reflecting the theme of Love within the chapter. Sakura trees are often associated with love, especially in eastern mediums such as anime and manga, which are both made in Japan. In retrospect, that seems very on the nose and blunt for Tobiathan Foxhound’s writing style, and I agree. So, I thought about it a bit deeper.
The Japanese architecture and overall aesthetic could easily interpret how Kris feels about their father. The fountain was likely opened by Kris, as Asgore had no way, reason, or understanding of how Dark Fountains work to create a Dark World. But, then, why would Kris feel this way towards their father? How can we interpret the Garden of Hopes and Dreams implications in the context of Kris and Asgore's relationship? I think that the answer to both of these questions is the association that Kris feels towards Flower King in general, which is that it’s a means to win back Toriel, something that Kris is very ashamed of their father doing. It would make sense that Kris (someone who at this point has been subtly established as having a disdain or, at the very least, distaste for anime), views Asgore as entirely set on winning back Toriel as opposed to Asgore's real goal of wanting to feel like a family again. It’s a fake, artificial love that is devoid of actual purpose, and is more set on a selfish goal than actually understanding Kris’ feelings. This, I feel, is very reminiscent of the general aesthetic of the Garden of Hopes and Dreams, however this idea is very shaky, so I'd look forward to input.
My final touch that I'd like to discuss about the Garden of Hopes and Dreams is the Diner.
Flowery takes Asgore to the diner so that the two might grow as friends, and Flowery won't have to bring him to the Dark Fountain for him to learn the truth. He tries to amuse Asgore in an environment reminiscent of Asgore's past. What Flowery fails to realize is that Asgore loved his relationship with the diner not because of the diner itself, but because he associates the diner with fond memories of family meals after service, or alongside Kris and Asriel.
Cut differently from the blanketed fields of the Garden of Hopes and Dreams comes the Shrine Garden. This place is more akin to a marsh, with cattails and wheat alongside the edges of the path should you choose to water outside of the given paths. This place is already off to a great start, as immediately after entering, Flowery offers an ultimatum. He tells the Fun Gang to go home, and an exit to the Dark World is made just near the entrance. If they choose not to, which the story progresses, then they become Flowery’s enemy, alongside of Flowery’s friends, who I will be referring to the FlowerSouls, as it seems like everyone has their own name for them tbh.
Starting off, this area is where we're first introduced to Seth and Aqua, but their involvement with the story in this area is delegated to protecting the Light Feather so that the Fun Gang can't make use of it. They fail at this, of course, and spend the next few areas pursuing the Fun Gang at various moments.
What I'd like to begin with in this segment is the shrine for the Light Feather. Now, given that Kris has opened this Dark Fountain, why create a shrine of worship for some legendary artifact that Kris didn’t know existed? Something that offers a new perspective, and a new way to complete puzzles?
I think that the Light Feather is, in some way, meant to symbolize Berdly. Or, at the very least, correlated to him. This chapter heavily emphasized the sheer amount of unrequited affection that Kris feels for the people around them, and the fact that Kris likely broke into Berdly’s house in the middle of the night to take the feather that they would later give to Seth, which they would seem visibly embarrassed by doing, implies that Kris at the very most harbors some feelings for Berdly the same way that they're implied to harbor feelings towards Ralsei or Susie through some of the dialogue options (which I believe are offerings that Kris gives the player based off of requirements for that interaction, but I digress).
Now, consider that the Light Feather allows the Fun Gang to traverse areas that they normally would not be able to. They can leap high, and use strategic moves to engage with the world around them. This gives them unique puzzles and fun world building elements that we’ll likely see in later chapters.
And now consider that in the Weird Route, Berdly is dead. Kris doesn't go to the Flower King Dark World, and doesn't get the Light Feather. If puzzles involving the Light Feather are to reappear in chapter 7, then Kris has no way to solve them. You have intentionally killed a solution to puzzles, and you have intentionally shut out a game mechanic. At the very least, Berdly and the Light Feather are correlated in some manner, but I'm getting off track.
The Cliffs/Cliffside Shop
This place is unique in that it offers us a view of the sunset, which is such a unique and exclusive element to the Flower King Dark World. The reason why it's there could easily be chalked up to the sun being visible through windows, but I would like to talk about the symbolic meanings about the sun.
My first impression after completing the chapter is that the sunset being an exclusive feature to the Flower King Dark World is reflective of Flowery’s intentions. Flowery is set out to create an ideal world for Asgore–one where he can defy the Prophecy and live alongside his king, and so that he and the other FlowerSouls can live in harmony. But, of course, this can't happen if the fountain is sealed, which is why Flowery stands in indirect opposition to the Fun Gang. This theory is further reinforced by the depiction of the Dark Fountain, but that's a topic for later.
Moving on, let's talk about the level design. Most of the Cliffs are meant to be played using the Light Feather for platforming very reminiscent of other indie games such as Shovel Knight, Hollow Knight, Celeste, and I think much more bluntly, Dead Cells. However, in terms of themes, I believe that Celeste is far more fitting symbolically than Dead Cells.
Celeste is a game about a woman named Madeline who climbs a mountain in a journey of self discovery, as well as to overcome her crippling anxiety. The story has recurring gender themes and allegories, but the most interesting aspect to me is the relationship between Madeline and her literal evil reflection, meant to manifest her Anxiety, Badeline. Over time, the two learn to pilot their one body as a whole, and the game finishes with the both of them reaching the top of the mountain. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to relate that to Deltarune, as the theme of two souls inhabiting one body is seen very frequently, including this chapter’s secret boss. Naturally, then, it might be plausible to assume that these implications are based towards Kris, who is likely worried about their father as well as holding a second soul within their body, but I think that a far more fitting example is Ralsei.
Ralsei is a large focus of this chapter. They are constantly rage baited by Flowery, who pushes them to be a different person by affecting how Ralsei views other people, the Dark Worlds, Prophecy, and so forth. In other words, this chapter is a journey of self-discovery for Ralsei, as Flowery is putting them in an awkward position where they need to be forced to improve as a person and face their anxieties and fears about the Prophecy. Flowery could not be a better foil to Ralsei, but that's a discussion for another time. However, Celeste Theory™ is also given a bit more depth for Ralsei than it does with Kris if you consider that Madeline herself is also a trans woman, which offers new introspective to Ralsei’s self image and themes throughout the story as they go through change and, towards the end of the chapter, begin to think about themselves in a manner becoming of a trans allegory. Celeste Theory™ may be a bit of a stretch, but I think it’s very fun regarding the cliff area.
Moving on, there isn't much to say about the cliff shop. It's pretty evident that the shopkeeper is Pink, which…
Okay, as I'm writing, I'm realizing that Pink being on the cliffs also supports Celeste Theory™. Pink is a body possessed by two individuals that want different things, but must eventually come together, much like Madeline and Badeline. Pink can also be interpreted as a trans allegory.
I would like to reinforce that I am a Cisgender male.
There really isn't much to say about the Flower Castle. I really wish I had more to say about the level design or design philosophy of the area, but I really can't think of anything worth saying. The most I can think of is the reflection of each FlowerSoul and their respective areas and how they affect each other, which is most exemplified by Green’s Cafe.
However, the best part of the Flower Castle is the Castle Roof. This is probably the best final act area, with direct opposition to Chapter 4’s Titan fight, and for good reason. All of the FlowerSouls uniting to stop you, not out of hate, but for Love, is such a beautiful moment and to be honest? A part of me wanted to lose this battle.
All of the FlowerSouls acting against the Fun Gang is also reflected in a very fun platforming sequence where Ralsei and Susie decide to ACT on their own to make sure that the Fun Gang could reach the top. This is a beautiful moment that I think really highlights the bonds that the three have built of the last 5 chapters, but I'm getting away from the point because I really wanna talk about this next part.
The Flowery Fight is top notch, but the design philosophy for it is so important to me. First of all, Flowery gives the Fun Gang their own petals to float on. I believe this implies that a part of Flowery is content with losing here, as he’s willing to help out the Fun Gang to give them a fair fight. Similarly, he also refuses to kill the Fun Gang, instead dropping them down and telling them to get lost before returning. His fight reminds me greatly of the final V. IV Rusty fight from Armored Core 6, but that's a bit off from the point.
What IMMEDIATELY caught my eye was the giant spire of thorns and vines behind the Fun Gang throughout the fight. More importantly, how it looks a bit… familiar.
I believe that this similarity is meant to show the goals that Flowery has. He wants to make his own rules and break the prophecy, even if that means he has to make a Titan of his own, only built of Love and Flowers as opposed to Darkness and Fear. Which, I think, implies that Flowery somehow knows about the Prophecy in full detail. I can only wonder how, unless Kris simply told him when they visited before opening the Dark World.
Overall, this chapter is rich in environmental storytelling, and I think that I covered everything that I wanted to cover! Thanks for reading!
