Gabriel is the main character, and V1 is the inciting incident.

V1 is still the protagonist of the game, Gabriel is just the story's protagonist but not the game's

I've also heard a theory that you are actually one of the sentient terminals observing recordings of v1's fighting for entertainment since between every act you have to insert a new disc or something like that

his divine link to be WHAT??? cruelty slop

2:39 "Fueled by inner rage" *has bunny ears*

I saw a comment somewhere else That said "this is a disaster movie and you are the meteor"

There are two kinds of ultrakill videos 1 - This 2 - Earthmovin'

1:04 i think the "three beautiful lines" most people would think of is the tagline of the game. and also you said we are looking for fuel before explaining how there is fuel in hell.

This made me think of something. What if the last level, you dont kill anything? Its just you, no one else. Hell is empty, you destroyed it all. Theres no music, just ambient sound of wherever you are, slowly waiting to die as all you caused was death for your own purpose Just like humanity, youll perish after destroying it all with the intention of your own benefit

Counterpoint to V1 not being able to feel emotion: the new update added a book alongside the alt shotgun, where it's stated that this gutterman in particular felt pity for te person on its back

I saw a theory that The Events of Ultrakill is actually just the terminals sharing their last bits of data since nothing else in hell would be alive. Also because the start of the acts involving us inserting a disc.

Thirsty robot goes on mass murder spree! Godly forces retaliate and fail to apprehend the suspect.

i always thought this was a silly point to make. i know it's hakita who mentions this, but like lots of games have blank slate protagonists, lots of stories have reactive protagonists that are defined by their antagonists, who are often more complex characters with complete archs. V1 being a bit of a blank slate is on the service of the player who is free to pour into V1 their own ludonarratives, if anything it's actually entirely about me, like not V1, me.

Now that the new update has dropped, I think this point in the video at 3:02 is kinda false, since there's a secret book inside a ripped off coffin where you can find a book where Gutterman (the oldest blood-fueled robot, by the way) feeling empathy for the person who was suffering inside their coffin. So, it probably implies that v1 has feelings too, since they seem to be the most advanced model out of all the machines, and you can actually anger v2, who is, y'know, a newer model of v1.

Gabriel is the main character and V1 is the cameraman given a gun.

As an ULTRAKILL amateur, this video was really good! I really liked the editing.

god i hope to hell we get an epilogue of going through hell after we finish rampaging through hell

I'm gonna have to disagree with you on that. V1 is constantly established as being special. It's the only one of its kind, even stronger than V2. You're constantly pulling off insane feats of strength that nothing else can do, like parrying giants and killing Earthmovers. You kill all of the most important beings in Hell: Minos' body, Gabriel, the Ferryman, the souls of the kings of two different layers. Because of you, the Council is dead, Heaven is in chaos, and their strongest angel is dying. It's not a stretch to say that you're special. The story revolves around you like any other game, it's just that you're not the good guy here.

How does this not have more likes???????????? no seriously i expect this kind of stuff from a channel with at least 1-5k subs

the layer 7 enemy descriptions describe that the sun was blotted out by the earthmovers. And quote “a war of all against all”. And “all resources were used up in the war”. Indicates that civil wars were likely breaking out everywhere. And explains the need for blood powered machines, so we can assume that once the sun was gone the machines went rouge and anyone who might’ve survived the machines would’ve starved.

I have had similar thoughts about this for a while now, and this video does a fantastic job presenting that with the context of Gabriel and his story. And I think this can be taken even further in the way Hell works in Ultrakill. Through the lore dumps found after beating P1 and P2, we learn of the nature of the terminals and their symbiotic relationship with the machines (essentially the terminals give robots points to buy new weaponry in exchange for entertaining battle footage, giving a lore explanation for the terminal shop and the end of level grading system). This re-contextualises so much; you may have just assumed V1 was the only one getting these perks because, duh, it's the protagonist! But in reality? So many other robots, perhaps every single one you fight, are using the exact same systems. It perfectly echoes the theme of you not being special. This is just the way hell works. This can be seen again in the Prelude, where we see a Swordsmachine running around and, just like us, slaughtering husks left and right. Of course, you end up killing this same swordsmachine, but the point remains. This is just what every machine down here does. You are not special. Of course, all of this may have been very much not intended by the people behind Ultrakill and its story, but I still think its interesting. And yes, V1 is also often presented as special throughout the game as well (convenient gun placed on pedestal at beginning seems like Hell itself begging V1 to go slaughter some filth lol). But these are just my thoughts.

THIS VIDEO THIS CHANNEL, THIS MAN DESERVES MORE

it is about me.

While V1s main goal is to sustain itself i dont think there is no sentience or creativity going on. I mean look at hank, look at "You're not getting away this time". V1 decides what is rellavant vs whats irrelevant in the books it reads. Hell it reads books to begin with. It can do thr challenges the terminals asks it to do. Its not the stories focus characters, but its not like it's just a blank self insert for the player.

I'm 99% V2 can feel emotion. Not only becaue it taunts V1 in bothe encounters but in the second encounter it becomes enraged when you punch it with it's own arm.

2:18 I wouldn't call it plot armor, as gaberiel himslef confirmed that being an angel is meaningless in battle.

Ultrakill has the same story as i at 3 am (i am extremely hungry)

Ah yes, the entirety of hell falling apart because of one robot who was REALLY hungry is not about said robot.

“Why is this so fucking loud” perfect hahahaha

V1 is the end of all things. The story just so happens to be caused by V1.

NAHHH the bunny ears on gabriel during his second fight was foul ToT

V1 also say "you're not getting away this time" to v2 when he tries to escape idk if that help something

I think V1 feels emotions and has sentience, seeing as it hates V2 and vice versa, it doesn’t know what is going on with Gabriel and just thinks that he’s a sore loser interrupting its journey as it tries not to die from lack of blood and Gabriel tries to make the most of his remaining time, making their stories parallel, unknown to V1.

We forget that V1 is the main VILLAIN, like Gabriel said, we destroyed limbo and lust, and by the time we defeat gabriel again gluttony is probably gone too We are ACTIVELY destroying all of hell, and he is here to stop us

V1 is just chaos

The heaven levels will be fire imo. Also props to you for using Titanfall 2 footage

2:35 divine link severed, you are a flesh automaton animated by neurotransmitters

Good video would recommend

lmao how tf did you sync the music on the gabriel part so well, the segment ended just as the music did. was that on purpose??

ohhh, i learned abt this today actually. Sure we play as v1 but the character that is driving the plot is gabriel, v1 is simply the point of view for gabriel's character arc, theyre the protagonist even tho we don't play as him

Some lore to help understand the nuances: 1. Humanity was in an escalating war known as the Final War. Many machines that run on blood were made, but V1 is unique in that it can repair itself using blood. Not even V2 (the second version of V1) has this, instead being incredibly durable compared to V1. 2. The Final War ended with machines capable of destroying whole cities that needed blood and solar to function. The destruction caused The Long Night (exactly what it sounds like), causing the city destroying machines to lose power. This brought about the New Peace as humanity started to work together. 3. Humans discovered the entrance to hell and something terrible happened. Since the lore found in game references God having disappeared, it's reasonable to assume that God disappeared which meant all hell could literally break loose. Humans were completely wiped out and the Earth is likely lifeless, leaving the machines with no alternative but to fight each other as they descend into hell. This is where the Prelude starts, with V1 slaughtering everything in his path on the way to the gates of hell. 4. Residents of hell took advantage of the chaos caused by God disappearing to revolt. Minos in the lust layer lead a peaceful rebellion in the form of a renaisance and Sisyphus (yes, the funny boulder guy) lead a violent revolution. A council was formed in Heaven to govern Heaven and Hell and Gabriel was assigned to squash the rebellions. Both were squashed and Gabriel was made judge of hell, previously Minos' position. 5. V1 rampages through the first 6 layers of hell in less than a day, defeating Gabriel once at the third layer and again at the sixth layer. Gabriel is punished by the council the first time, dooming him to death unless he defeats V1. After his second defeat, Gabriel sees how broken Heaven is. With God gone, the council had taken power and grown corrupt. Gabriel slaughters the entire council, dooming himself to inevitable demise and descending into hell one last time, presumably for a final showdown. Lore on God's thoughts: 1. Each secret level has a lore tablet written by God/Jesus 2. God/Jesus creates hell and regrets it. When questioned by Satan, he panics and throws Satan into hell. 3. God/Jesus lives in deep regret of his choices, horrified by the pit of suffering he made. He cannot unmake it and it haunts him constantly. This is likely the reason he disappeared, but we don't know where he went. Personal Theory: God regretted his decision to create hell so much, he inspired man to create the perfect killing machine to wipe it out. He then imbued V1 with the divine power of plot armor. After all the humans were wiped out, he sent V1 down to hell to destroy it for good. My theory is that God is puppeting V1 and "disappeared" to cause the necessary chaos to cause the hierarchy that governs hell to collapse. V1 would then be the perfect tool to destroy hell from the inside out. A bit of headcanon I have about this is that once hell is destroyed, God will create someplace made of fresh blood for V1 to enjoy for the rest of eternity.

wait what if in the last boss fight you play as gabriel against V1

this is the gorbinos quest of life !

i don’t care if i’m the main character, if it can die it can bleed and if it can bleed i can search for fuel longer

Found Gianni's alt account

I mean, the reason V1 wasn't that efective in war was because humans were going exctinct and there wasn't that much blood to use, that's why V2 is way tougher, but can't regen. There wasn't simply enough blood to make V1 as effective as it's in hell

Ngl I feel like this was simply more on the narrative focusing plus a matter of perspective on Gabriel that the story becomes centered around him. Gabriel, and the end of 3-2 and 6-2, literally breaks a few invisible rules in the game. Gabriel, and the Prime Souls, are the only ones who actually talk in the game. That's why 3-2 is such a surprise for first time players cause there hasn't been any dialogue so far. Unlike V1, Gabriel is shown front and center who he is, and what he wants to do. Additionally, due to V1's already simple and basically completed lore, the two cutscenes at the end of the acts brings the player, or the audience, to see Gabriel as the main character. If it was, for example, a cutscene of V1 breaking free from Humanity's control to become sentient, then the audience would regard V1 as the protagonist, cause we see its story instead of Gabriel's.

Seeing the dominoes in place, I have to say that V1 is absolutely the central focus of Ultrakill. While his thoughts, opinions, and characterization are scarcely ever seen, it bears multiple traits that make it a symbol of the ultimate end: it is my strong belief that V1 is the end of the universe, the angel of death. Firstly, V1 is the only being who can steal blood, and thus makes it very unique. Because it can collect blood, it can heal itself faster than it can be harmed, and it is also proven to be a fast and efficient warrior. V1 is meta narratively compared to V2 not as an equal, but as a superior. Its superior armor granted it an uncanny ability to abuse God's gift of life on a completely different level than machines already did. V2 bows in the first fight and disrespects you in the second, running both times, and ends the second fight in a humiliating death exploding into a pool of viscera and scrap. V1 *trounced* V2. V2 even had to take to copying you to beat you. V2 pisses its pants when you hit it with it's own arm and V2 is confirmed by Hakita to never, ever be coming back. You reduce V2 to a pile of nothing. The Earthmovers are machines purpose built to be indestructible and yet V1 expertly executes its purpose and annihilates the first Earthmover it encounters. Gabriel's entire life is changed by what you do to him. He sets off with a renewed purpose after crybaby hours 2: electric boogaloo™, that purpose being that a.) God is dead b.) my life and all I am is a lie c.) there is no hope for this world, there never was. After the reprise of the original crybaby music, Beethoven's 7th Symphony; 2nd Movement starts playing, a song that sounds like the wailing cries of the world as it dies. In that time, Gabriel frees heaven but in such a manner that suggests that at least he did so for the sake of their final moments. Gabriel may not be the only one who knows they are dying, this song is a crucial element combined with the fact that Gabriel chose to die, knew that the counselor would not give his divine light back or no longer mattered. He repeats this message, over and over, that the fire is gone, that god is dead. Hell watches with horrifying grins as you consign Limbo and Lust to a fate best described as "all gone," "with gluttony soon to follow." The fire is dying as a direct result of your actions. God dies when you continue to breathe, or he wanted you to kill everything. Hell smiles with your every step towards it's centre, its goal still uknown and unimpeded by God's attempt to unmake it. All while heaven fall apart, humanity is lowered into it's final resting place, and machine kind goes extinct because its perfection has already been achieved.

There is a story?

Well this made me feel unappreciated

Wrong, ultrakill is actually about 3 different stories, one your own, one Gabriel's and one of the primes

The robots do have emotions and personalities though? V1 DEFINITLY understands Gabriel, he just doesn't care. I mean just look at V2 who is basically the same model as V1, he's cocky and sometimes literally gets enraged. V1 isn't an unthink killing machine, though he definitly is a killing machine.

V1 is sentient

you say that v1 cant empathize but in the world of ultrakill the robots have feeling be cause the run on blood which is created by the tree of life

Finally, a game with 2nd person view

just excludes v2

Yes thats it, is not about you, is about doing cool shit while not understanding what is happening, true cinema

Well, yes, but also consider story of the Lust layer & Minos and the Greed layer & Sysiphis. Gabriel isn't the good guy, he is just sort of more positive than V1

Great video, but we don’t know that Gabriel is dying.

man i feel bad for gabriel..... BC HE BOUTA GET DUNKED ON FOR A THIRD TIME RAHHHHHH🤾

...Plot armor? You mean gamer armor?

Now this is were i dissagree. Because we all know v1 and v2 are the only ones of there kind so why bring this up. V2 has shown a lot of emotions. How? Easy whenever you go to the second fight and punch him with his arm he becomes enraged. And emotion that machines shouldnt feel. Then theres the guttertanks who also can be enraged. V1 is whats going on in hell gabriel is whats going on in heaven.

I love games where you play as the villian, there are you happy now nerd

Womp womp bloodbag

the will of god, the most powerful angel to ever exist, the JUDGE OF HELL vs. gopro

You made a mistake v1 does not have predecessors and is the only machine that can heal with blood others use it as fuel but v1 heals its armor with it

I like V1

i don't really see how making the point that ultrakill isn't really about you matters all that much. so what? and the point itself, i think, is debatable.

another thing is that there cannot be a "happy ending" to this game as after act 1 finishes, both Gabriel and V1 are doomed and on a timer till their death, for Gabriel dies when the Light has fully left and V1 will eventually run out of blood. as the game says "THIS IS THE ONLY WAY IT COULD HAVE ENDED."

No shi I'm not a blood thirsty robot

Bro plays on "game journalist special" gamemode fr

real as fuck

Yes it is

this isnt really groundbreaking info or something unknown but whatever

Spoiler warning:We know by reading books.

I can't lie. The degree to which I hate V1 and everything it does makes me deeply conflicted. Like, I really *really* hate V1. I have this sinking feeling that I am really really gonna hate the game's ending and it's gonna make me dislike the game too, but I guess that means the story is good.

V1 is just an annoying fly that ruined everything ngl

Unpopular opinion: yes you are, you are the main character and thats seen by the development of themes if the levels showing that v1 is slowly changing, along with the "you're not getting away this time" in 4-4 and the hank dialogues. Im tired of these types of theories as they are lame and are basically ultrakill's "megalovania is the players theme"

Nuh uh, Hell literally states V1 is the star of the show

You are wrong V1 is sentient and thinks it comprehends perfectly Gabriel but it doesn't cares (Is on the fucking lore)

v1 is the protagonist of ultrakill. a protagonist is a character that most of a story follows, which is v1. having multiple cuts to gabriel's point of view doesnt change this. the story and gameplay do not have different protagonists, because the gameplay is the story. gabriel's character development occurs largely during your fight with him, and you are in v1's perspective during both of said fights. gabriel is the antagonist, not because he is evil, but because he contests the protagonist. his emotional journey does not change this. nor does the protagonist's lack of emotion or compelling motivation. an antagonist can be a more compelling character than the protagonist and still be the antagonist, it doesnt change their roles.

4:25 caught not playing on violent difficulty 😭😭

No shit its about V1

Hate to be that guy but, all I could think of when seeing the title and thumbnail is "Way too many people in the community need to hear this." You know, projecting your own sexuality onto fictional robots to see subtext that isn't there and denouncing anyone who doesn't agree it's canon. That's not healthy, no matter how you spin it.

let's be honest, who cares. We just want to enjoy the game

But then again V1 does not kill Gabriel when he monologues after his defeat. This could possibly be V1 Hesitating showing that it might be capable of higher though.