ABOUT THE MECHANICS
DELTARUNE INTERDREAM, unsurprisingly, plays just like a game in the UNDERTALE series!
Because the game takes place in the Light World for most of the game, the user interface is stylized just like it is in UNDERTALE; including in battles! However, because of the addition of party members that actively join you in battle, there have been elements from DELTARUNE's Dark World that are integrated into this system.
INVENTORY
Your inventory is split up into ITEMs, EQUIPMENT, and KEY ITEMs. ITEMs consist of consumables, like healing items, while EQUIPMENT consists of weapons and armor that you and your allies can equip. Both inventories can store up to 8 items each, and are organized automatically. If your inventory(s) are full, anything excess will automatically be stored into a 32-item STORAGE; accessible at SAVE points and Dimensional Boxes.
KEY ITEMs are important story items. Don't worry too much about those.
PARTY SYSTEM
Your party consists of at most three people. You are always the leader, therefore are always first in line! However, sometimes, someone may come along and piggyback off you or your allies turn to help you...
You can view information about party members in the STAT menu, including certain story details. You can also view an ally's abilities, with some being able to be used in the Overworld depending on context.
BATTLE
When you encounter an enemy, you will enter a FIGHT. Each side of the battle does actions at the same time.
On your turn, you decide what each ally does in order of lineup.
- FIGHT instructs the ally to attack the enemy.
- ACT / MAGIC allows an ally to ACT or use an ability, depending on what they have access to. Some ACTs or abilities may require a certain amount of TP (Tension Points) to use.
- ITEM allows an ally to use an item. You can either use a normal consumable item or change equipment on an ally.
- SPARE allows an ally to attempt sparing all enemies that don't want to fight anymore (typically indicated by a yellow name or star next to their name). Try to spare as many enemies as possible!
- DEFEND allows an ally to resist attack damage for that turn (as well as increase TP).
Each allies actions are played out in a specific order...
- All ACTs are played out first in order of party lineup.
- All abilities and item uses are carried out in order of party lineup.
- Anyone using SPARE will spare at the same time.
- Anyone using FIGHT will begin attacking at the same time.
Some ACTs and abilities are action oriented, and require additional input from you to perform properly. Fighting also requires you to order when allies strike, via use of a target-reticle minigame.
Sometimes, an action you do to an enemy will make them TIRED. You'll be able to spare TIRED enemies if you have an ally with an ability that can do such a thing!
On the enemies turn, the enemies will attempt to attack your SOUL in a bullet-hell minigame. Each enemy will attack at the same time via a unique bullet pattern tied to them. If they hit it, one or more of your party will take damage. Anyone that reaches 0 HP will be DOWNed, and will automatically heal each turn until they get back up. If everyone in the active party is DOWNed, you lose.
If you graze enemy bullets, then you will gain TP, which will allow you to ACT or use abilities.
Pro Tip: Holding down the Cancel button [X] will allow you to move your SOUL at half speed!
Once all of the enemies are defeated, you are rewarded based on your performance. EXP is rewarded to each active ally if enemies have been defeated violently, which will cause them to become stronger and increase in LV. MONEY is rewarded to you based on method of defeat, as well as how much TP you have at the end. Anyone in your collective party that is DOWNed will be revived at battle end.
OTHERS...?
Chapter-specific mechanics will be explained in further detail as the game continues to develop and release.