In “Undertale,” the concept of resetting the game significantly affects how characters perceive your actions throughout different playthroughs. There are two primary types of resets: normal resets and true resets, each yielding distinct consequences.

1. Normal Reset: This option, accessible in-game, allows players to restart their journey without deleting the game’s saved data. However, it’s important to note that while the game begins anew, it retains memory of prior actions. This means that characters like Flowey will remember your previous runs, which can manifest in altered dialogue, reactions, and available routes. For instance, if a player has previously completed a Genocide route, certain haunting elements might bleed into the reset playthrough, such as unsettling conversations or changes in NPC behaviors, especially when aiming for different endings like the True Pacifist route.

2. True Reset: In contrast, a true reset involves actively deleting the game’s saved files from your system (e.g., erasing files from appdata folders or Steam userdata). This process restores Undertale to its original state, as if it’s your first playthrough. Consequently, characters will have no recollection of any actions taken in past runs, allowing you to navigate the game without interference from previously established flags or triggers. This is particularly valuable for players seeking to experience alternate storylines or rediscover the game from a fresh perspective, devoid of influences stemming from a Genocide or True Pacifist route.

Without executing a true reset, remnants from past playthroughs can persist. Completing a Genocide route and then opting for a normal reset might lead to experiencing “tainted” endings or lingering consequences that suggest past actions, making it difficult to fully engage with the narrative or achieve desired outcomes.

In summary, if you wish to experience “Undertale” without any lingering consequences from your previous choices, it’s crucial to perform a true reset by manually deleting the save files. Normal resets preserve some gameplay history, fundamentally changing character interactions and available story paths in subsequent attempts.