Free to try: This RPG with 98% positive reviews unexpectedly became Steam’s best-selling game
Deltarune, the episodic RPG from Undertale creator Toby Fox, received its first paid expansion on June 4, 2025, with the highly anticipated Chapters 3 and 4 – and quickly turned into a surprise hit. Although the first two chapters have been free since their release in 2018 and 2021, the indie game drew an impressive 133,930 concurrent players on launch day according to SteamDB. It even topped Steam’s sales charts, briefly overtaking major titles like Elden Ring: Night Rain.
The first two chapters, still available as a free demo, had already attracted a large and dedicated fan base. With the paid release of Chapters 3 and 4 at $24.99, Toby Fox continues the story of Kris, Susie and Ralsei. Set in a mysterious parallel world, the group must seal “Dark Fountains” to preserve the balance between light and dark. The launch came as a surprise – right up to release day, the new chapters were still listed as “Coming Soon” on Steam.
RPG meets bullet hell – striking a chord with fans
Gameplay-wise, Deltarune stays true to its roots. The combat blends classic turn-based RPG mechanics with bullet hell–style dodging during enemy attacks and offers players the choice to fight or spare foes – just like in Undertale. Each character in the team – Kris, Susie and Ralsei – brings unique abilities to battles, while the story shifts seamlessly between humor and emotional depth, all wrapped in Toby Fox’s signature style. According to HowLongToBeat, the average playtime across the chapters so far is about 19 hours. On Steam, the reception has been "Overwhelmingly Positive," with over 16,000 reviews and a 98% approval rating.
With Chapters 3 and 4, Deltarune grows significantly – not just in story, but also in gameplay. Chapter 3 leans into experimentation, featuring a variety of mini-games and unique battle scenarios that break with tradition. In contrast, Chapter 4 pushes the narrative forward with more intricate boss fights and deeper plot developments. Both chapters introduce fresh characters, enemy types and environments, while staying true to the game’s core theme: the ongoing choice between violence and compassion.
By the way: Undertale – the spiritual predecessor to Deltarune and praised by the German gaming outlet GameStar as an "RPG masterpiece" – is currently 75% off on Steam. Until June 10, it’s available for just $2.50.
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