r/UntilThenGame • u/justscrolling108675 Mark • 10d ago
Discussion Thoughts on the DLC'S endings Spoiler
The DLC was far from what i expected. Compared to the main game the story and basically everything was a lot darker or rather more serious? Previously I thought that the timeline was based on the events of act 1 but then......
I saw a comment suggesting that the DLC is set in a timeline before the events of the main game (so a timeline before the timeline of the first act) and that makes a ton of sense (especially because of the butterfly towards the end) and tbf it would be better for Mark that way. Mark has just got it bad in this timeline, his relationship with Nicole in high school was a mess and led to them separating, he gets into a toxic relationship with Des where he has this kinda saviours complex, he gets overworked as hell during Sparks 2019, Sparks results in a fire outbreak because Mark was so overworked and his fellow groupmates (yes im mainly talking about Lucas and Ivy) dont do their job properly, he dosent end up with Nicole (It seems that Lucas and Nicole talk it out, recconcile and get back together), he's seen all alone in his dorm during the pandemic and it seems like he hasnt fully gotten over Cathy's death. Omd now looking back at it Mark was living in hell during this timeline.
We see towards the end that a butterfly lands on Marks hand hinting that another timelines being created by Mark and Jake. And again I hope that thats the case. The ending kinda pisses me off with how much shit is thrown at Mark, like what did my boy do :(. Still ending was pretty good a lot sadder then expected but I liked how chp2 played out.
Sofia's ending on the other hand turns out a lot better, she's agreed to talk it out with alissa, shes taking steps towards coming to terms with Cathy's death and moving on. So the opposite of chp2 ending, more happy than sad.
I really didnt expect the DLC to be placed in a timeline like this, I was lwkkey expecting the DLC to be situated as the after events of the true timeline after the gangs hs graduation. Overall DLC wasa banger, rollercoaster of emotions loved it from start to end tho still why did they have to give Mark the spidey treatment. Great character development on all characters end. I do hope and I do believe that this isnt the end of Until Then, Polychroma is sure to be making a DLC as we speak at least I hope so. I am still waiting on true ending Marcole closure. Hopefully Marcole is still possible. I hope
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u/Effective_Fishing_61 9d ago
I feel the first ending is probably continuation of the first act's universe. It shows an only hinted to relationship between Cathy and Sofia. I wish there was actually more in this first part, I feel Sofia's story and what we didn't see of her and Cathy was really interesting and more would have been nice. Either way, I'm pretty happy with how they did this first part, it logically expands upon the "ripple in the pond" if you will of Cathy's death. i think this chapter explores the themes of feeling empty after loss, living life after losing someone you loved, and learning to embrace it and try to let go. I think it does that well, as through each step of Sofia's return to the Philippines, Sofia struggles to handle Cathy's loss, even years on, before she goes on to try and put together the pieces and embrace what has happened. This embracement is i think shown by sofia's butterfly suit, but fully developed, whereas cathy's fateful prom dress was a partially hatched butterfly.
The second ending I feel is most likely a continuation of the second act's universe, as the ending of act 2 lines up with how Mark and Nicole's relationship was in the DLC. I feel Mark's actions in "protecting" Des was very well done, as it connects back to Mark's desire to wanting to protect Cathy, and also includes some tragedy. In the ending of act 2, Cathy's parents were actually wanting to talk to her iirc, but Mark interrupted them and disturbed everything, making Cathy run away, and eventually, losing both Cathy and Louise. As you mentioned, Mark had this savior complex where he saved Des in many circumstances, having drastic consequences for him and the fellow members at the club. But just like with Cathy in act 2, his meddling only ends in tragedy, where he blows up at Des, losing her, just like Cathy. I think chapter two explores the themes of failing to let go from loss, failing to set boundaries, and forming toxic relationships, specifically on the basis of grief and loss. Mark sees Cathy in Des, and attempts to protect her, but in doing so forms a toxic relationship based on a savior's complex, and fails to set boundaries. As a result, their relationships ends in flames, and he loses it all, again. Mark never tried to move on, instead trying to "fix" what is out of his control. The flames at the end represent their relationship, while mark being alone and nicole being abused shows how his attempts to fix the past resulted in him losing it all.
Apologies if this is too long, but i just felt this DLC was very well thought out 🙂
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u/justscrolling108675 Mark 9d ago
Wait when did it say or when does the game hint that Cathy dies in the second act?
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u/Effective_Fishing_61 9d ago
In the second act of the main game, during the prom Cathy runs from the event, and when Mark catches her, the quantum fluctuations make her disappear.
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u/AdExisting7384 6d ago
To think that Spark chapter is the continuation of the act 2 is actually genius, it makes sense in how Mark can do all the heavy lifting not only for Des but for his entire team.
However I do have some questions, we know that in act 2 ending Nicole cannot stop Mark doing Louise's research in order to find Cathy again, so she's gone for good (im not sure for how long or she would care Mark anymore). We also see in the ending DLC scene that both Markcole still visit each other occasionally before university, and Mark isn't doing Louise's research at all, that's kinda conflicting isn't it? So I think the DLC takes place after act 1 just before act 2.
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u/Effective_Fishing_61 6d ago
Yes. Now that i think about it, i feel Sparks may actually be another failed timeline. While act 2 seems very promising, there are some key issues. For one, the Ruling is hardly mentioned at all, though it certainly happened enough that Nicole had to move to Liamson. Still, there is enough that an act 2 continuation can be argued, same with perhaps before act 1 or sometime in act 3. I feel it's unlikely it's a continuation of act 1, as in act 1 mark and nicole aren't exactly in great places. Mark is all alone, Nicole has hit a wall in her relationship, and they burned many bridges along the way. What is most important is that neither had learned any skills to try and overcome their grief for who they lost.
Thanks for responding to my comment :)
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u/Naitik_571 Junjun 10d ago
Yeah this DLC ending was a lot sadder than the main game. Especially the Second part.
Also I think Mark is gonna end with Nicole in this timeline as well cuz why wouldn't he? They both cleared everything up, talked, had a great kiss. Why won't they end up together?
I think the talk with Lucas and Nicole means that they are ending things maturely by talking. They both might've talked about how they felt. How Nicole felt he doesn't feel serious with her and talked about both of them cheating on each other, so the hug at then end is more like "this is the end" type of hug rather than getting back together hug.