Detroit Become Human (2018)
"Three androids go on a quest to discover who they really are."
- IMDB
Save the Fish
This is a game where your choices matter. This will be a very long thesis, but there is no way I can cover every branch and moment ever. The game has been out well over 5 years - I've done multiple playthroughs and have watched Bryan Dechart himself 100% the game on his Twitch. As I go through the game once again, I will be writing this scholalry paper as I go, and there might be some tidbits from memory. But please please please, play the game yourself. Watch Deachart Games for cool behind the scenes info & expert gameplay. No matter what you do with with Kara & Markus, just make sure Hank adopts Connor as his son. And for God's sake........ save the darn fish.
The Hostage
We start off with the Hostage sequence. I remember E3 2016 very well as God of War and Detroit Become Human were both significant parts of the same presentation. They played the entire Hostage sequence and then preceded with a trailer and I knew from day 0 this was going to be a game for me. This best part of this chapter is that you get to meet our sweet baby boi Connor. The android sent by Cyberlife.
Shades of Color
We get a glimpse of Kara as we go through opening credits. Then we are put in control of Markus for the first time as we get a first view of how regular life is run by androids. The world is established. Conflict between humans and androids is identified. Markus getting on the bus is the most interesting part as Markus experiences segregation standing in the android section of the bus. Regression in progression. Seeds of the revolution are planted.
A New Home
We finally play as Kara and get a hands on wife simulation.
Honestly, Todd's story is kinda sad. He literally replaced his family with androids and became a drunk drug addict. The worst part is Alice. Todd treats Kara like an android. But the way he treats Alice and the way she reacts, how was I able to predict that Alice was a droid too? There was obviously physical abuse toward Kara but only emotional abuse toward Alice. I wonder if this was any reflection on what his life was like before.
Oh My God....
Carl is the real rA9 lol.
We get a deeper insight into Markus's home life and we're now able to see the vast difference in background our 3 main characters are living. Markus has a kind owner, Kara has an abusive one, and Connor is just a tool used to accomplish a mission. Carl treats Markus like any other human which seems to be a rare perspective in the current climate at this time. He's honestly push Markus to be humanized. We also learn later that Markus's model wasn't even a regular one either. It was some weird prototype gift. Was he gifted my Kamski himself? I don't remember, but if he was, then it falls in line to my "Kamski wanted the deviant revolution" theory.
We all know the painting scene. Iconic meme.
Partners
Connor meets Hank.
Stormy Night
Okay, prologue is over. The real game begins.
There are a lot of possible endings here - including multiple ways to permanently die. Kara could die. Todd could die. I don't know about Alice. Most endings you escape, but not all. Finding the gun during the wife sim - and remembering you found it - could make a big difference to what happens to Todd. This is definitely the part of the game when players are like "omg our choices actually matter." There are plenty of games of this style where you're just unsure, but after this Kara chapter you just know and that puts the fear of god in you moving forward.
Broken
"The revolution has begun."
I'm quoting Korg but do not take this scene lightly. Either way, Markus gets trashed but how you let Markus react determines if Carl lives or dies after this incident. So if that matters to you, push back. His rick of son will be okay. At least he lives either way right? Who cares.
28 STAB WOUNDS
pressure it bro.
Fugitives
Once again Kara shows us just how divergent all paths could be in this game. There are 3 very viable choices and they are all major sequences with unique consequences on their own.
The Car route is by far the easiest. Probably the most common. You don't want attention and you want to appease Alice - that's the easy way out.
You can also embrace your deviance. Honestly, you have plenty of chances to regain Alice's favor through their journey, so if you wanna just be like stfu and steal money for the hotel, that's a valid option for sure.
The most eventful option if the creepy abandoned house. You are introduced to this creepy crazy deviant, Ralph, who is honestly an icon. This is my favorite option. It's so unsettling from start to finish but you're actually fairly safe and you gain an ally as Connor comes snooping the next morning.
My Name Is Markus
I really respect the game for crossing over into different genres. We got mystery, buddy cop, drama, action.... and horror. This chapter is just a nightmare. Creepy af as you traverse around the broken androids. It falls into that category of fear of dolls but they also look like people which adds a level of unsettlement. As you look for parts, you're faced with dilemma as a couple deviants asks to live. I think one asks to die. But you're gotta really battle with the concepts of mercy killing and doing what you can to survive. Honestly, all the androids here are doomed regardless of the Revolution outcome. It may be sad, but do what you gotta do. There are other options if you wanna be nice to.
Either way, there is only one ending as Markus escapes and returns to the real world.
I like dogs.
Connor wanders the police station. You can interact with Gavin which is always fun. Just know that Neil Newbon had a bit of a fanbase that followed him to Baldur's Gate. We get to know Hank a bit more and have try to have a lovely conversation with him. It's honestly funny watching Connor try to hold a normal conversation. It's honestly too real because this is exactly what it's like to be an introvert. The android experience is universal.
On the Run
This chapter is basically a crossover. We don't really get a lot of chapters like this until Cross Roads, so this is a nice taste of just how interlinked our 3 characters could be. It's more apparent later, but your choices with each character doesn't just impact the story, it impacts the other characters. This is honestly one of my favorite aspects of the game. It's so well written.
Jericho - Time to Decide - Spare Parts
Markus's next chapter is an introduction to Jericho as we get familiar with other deviants and see what their struggles are. There's a cool search and parkour puzzle to do on the way. Jericho is just a broken ship holding the broken dreams of dying deviants. But as Markus leads a mission to infiltrate Cyberlife and collect much needed parts, he brings hope. Definitely try to steal the truck if you can. And feel free to convert the androids found. The revolution has started. You need as many allies as possible.
It's actually very interesting to compare Kara and Markus as deviants. Kara deviated for a purpose. Markus deviated and is now trying to find a purpose. So their perspectives on the world are very different. Kara is still hardwired to protect Alice - in a way she's still following her code, just not at the instruction of humans. Markus is totally free and is able to look at the world with a clean slate as he tries to figure out want he wants to do with his newfound deviancy.
CORN CORN CORN CORN CORN CORN CORN CORN
if you understand the reference, we can be friends. But dudes. Save Hank. I'm all for going chaotic with Kara and Markus, but I don't trust anyone who initially and instinctively declines the Hank-Connor deviant path. That path starts with saving Hank, even with the 89% chance of survival.
Zlatko
Things start to get real at Zlatko's house. This is honestly one of the scariest chapters in the game. It really fits because you just know some freak would do this in the real world. Like so many dark impulses can be acted upon androids because we can't do it on humans. Hate to admit it but even I would probably stab an android to death just to know what it felt like without the implications of the law..... did I just say that?
There are so many endings and possibilities here. Kara's choices are crazy diverse and dangerous so early on as we've already seen. Once again, permadeath is available here & the time element does not ease the tension. There are also plenty of opportunities to succeed - the most popular one is releasing all the disformed experiments and let them go ham on that psycho.
Also. Free the bear.
Wake up, Lieutenant!
There is a vital piece of information here and if want Connor to be adopted by Hank you positively cannot miss this. You learn more about Hanks son and this is so important if you make it to the Cyberlife factory. This is also just a hilarious sequence as Connor deals with a drunk hank.
Also. Pet the dog.
Connor! That's so disgusting!
The concept of the Eden Club is not so surprising after experiencing the horrors from Zlatko's. Also not too shocking after playing Cyberpunk if I remember correctly.....
There are some moral choices to make here. Do you allow the droids to run away freely? Do you beat the clock and even find them at all? If you have the option to shoot them - let them run away if you wanna be adopted by Hank.
Meeting the lovers also expands the AI conversation. Do they love or did they program evolve to emulate love? How does this work? Does love make them alive?
Shout out to Amelia btw.
The Pirate's Cove
The music here! Kara's soundtrack is definitely my favorite. After surviving the Zlatko's, you get a moment to rest and enjoy some emotional scenes. Kara has the chance to get closer to Alice & Luther. We also meet the Jerries - the best NPCs. The carousel moment gets me every time. I'm always emotional seeing this one light moment in the darkness.
The Bridge
Hank & Connor get honest in the bridge. You can't really go wrong here if you want Connor to get adopted. But if you piss of Hank, he'll shoot you, and kinda hate you for a bit. Previous choices also matter as some dialogue options are conditionally available depending on the past, so you may have more control of the conversation if you've unlocked these dialogues.
The Stratford Tower
The heist! One of the best sequences in the game!
This is your chance to set the tone of Marcus's revolution. Anti human or pro peace? Do you kill the guard? I would. Some sacrifices have to be made in order to keep Simon alive. Simon is top priority for me so gotta do what I gotta do.
That moment when they jump off the ceiling.... breathtaking.
Public Enemy
So. Many. Choices.
This is another good crossover episode. Even though Marcus isn't here, many of the choices you made with him could impact the investigation. And many of Connor's choices here can impact the revolution, not just Connor's adoption status & deviancy. There are also so many Connor deaths here. We all love to meme the "Hank I need help" line but that one death when you got Hank like "I got you son" yeah...... Connor fans are sobbing. Simon fans too because I think it takes Simon's sacrifice to get that line.... Not worth it....
Midnight Train
This chapter was another exploration on how society reacts to "revolutions" like these. Just how slaves were escaping their owners, there are androids escaping America. And just as there were Americans willing to help slaves find freedom, there are are Americans who believe androids to be real people & help them escape as well. Rose is one of those sympathizers.
It was quite intense when the cop came to her house. It was really the time for Rose's son to show his true colors. He had the chance to tell the cop of the androids, but his loyalty to his mom is greater than to America or even the androids.
Capital Park
The Revolution has begun.
This is one of the first opportunities to really choose peace vs violence. "an eye for an eye and the world goes blind." You are not going to make a difference with rage & murder. This is something we learned in 2020 when the BLM was at a rise. No racist listened to the peaceful protestors. they just paid attention to the looters and the violent citizens wreaking havoc on the streets. No antiracism message got to them. A similar concept is played out here. It's fun to go violent to see what happens in game - but to allow androids to live free, making peaceful choices will be more helpful - especially if you want Kara to succeed later.
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The Kamski Test
You are not deciding to become deviant here. You are deciding whether or not to be Hank's son. By shooting the android, you will sever all trust from Hank and he will hate you for all time. Fail the test, and Hank will be like "bro you alright." And a happy ever after could be in your hands.
Freedom March
This is one of my favorite Marcus chapters. There's something so liberating seeing all the droids come together in a massive crowd, just to walk. The way Marcus deviates androids as he passes opens the rA9 discussion again. As Marcus was a gift directly from Kamski - my theory that rA9 is a code Kamski himself put in just seems so true here. The peaceful stand and sacrifice options are both great. to end the chapter as well.
Crossroads
Where do i even begin.
This is what it has all been for. Kara and Alice are in Jericho. Everyone passes each other. It's madness. This is also you're chance to finally deviate Connor. Then all hell breaks as the FBI finds the ship. PLAY DEAD. If you want Kara and Alice to survive, have them play dead.
The Choice Is Yours
Honestly.... how do I even review the game from here. Once you hit Crossroads, a linear path is gone. Your in the ENDGAME now, and what happens next depends on literally ALL the choices you make and the choices still to come.
Red Connor is a fun experiment, but Deviant Connor is where it's at and I don't trust anyone who doesn't go for Green Connor for their first blind playthrough. There are some rare Todd scenes if you don't kill him earlier. Revolution is fun if you want a chaotic playthrough, but the peaceful route is how to get a happy ever after after for everyone. The violece route could put Kara & Alice in the "camps" and it gives holocaust vibes that is not fun to play though. Actually, the boat fiasco is no fun either. Some of Kara's worst scenes could be played here if you haven't been careful.
F North. Sing. That's the goat ending fr fr.
Final Thoughts
Each character as a different soundtrack, different plot, different vibes entirely and it's great. Each story touches on different themes and emotions. Ironically, the androids tach us so much about humanity and what it means to be human, so being able to connect with our playable characters is so easy.
I can't believe the game has been put for several years. While the whole game is brilliant, I'm amongst the Connor stans that obsess with this character. Bryan Dechart is so great. I have been a huge fan of him and I watch the channel he has with Amelia. David Cage has also made such a perfect game. While each of his games have improved one after the other, I can't help but wonder how (and when) he can follow the masterpiece he created.
My Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★