Title Detroit: Become Human
Developer: Quantic Dream
Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment
Released: May 25, 2018 (PS4), December 12, 2019 (PC via Epic Games Store), June 18, 2020 (Steam)
Platform Reviewed: PlayStation 4
Platforms Available: PlayStation 4, PC
Article Reading Time: 8 minutes

From Fahrenheit to Detroit: A Legacy of Choice

Detroit: Become Human is the latest release from French studio Quantic Dream, which has long been at the top of the story adventure genre. From the first-class and dark Fahrenheit to the drenching Heavy Rain to the emotional and gripping Beyond Two Souls, which, despite its quality, unfortunately, didn’t garner as much fame as expected initially. However, Detroit: Become Human manages, thankfully, to change that once again with ease, as you will see in my following text.

Not Your Average Action Game

I will be okay, though, and I’ll be the first to specify what Detroit is not. Look elsewhere if you expect frantic action, brutality, or a colorful open world. Detroit follows in the footsteps of its predecessors. It offers a more interactive film packed to the ceiling with a brilliantly branching narrative, elaborate characters, and the traditional ability for the player to influence the course to a degree not seen in games. You really want to experience this experience. 

Blade Runner Vibes: Dark, Dystopian, Delicious

Detroit takes you to a not-too-distant future where androids and artificial intelligence are the order of the day. Artificially created helpers are an integral part of our lives, helping in the home, serving as sex objects, and relieving humanity of a multitude of manual labor. But that also means lots of unemployed people, “racial” hatred of androids, and other issues that are very relevant even today. The game draws powerful inspiration from the cult of Blade Runner, which will definitely please fans of the movie classics.

Connor, Kara, Markus: Three Androids, One Epic Story

This futuristic world tells the story of three androids – Connor, Marcus, and Kara. Each has their own status and their own lives. Connor is an android sent by the CyberLife corporation to help police officers in a recent murder. Markus is an ordinary assistant to an aging artist. At the same time, Kara is a newly purchased maid the family’s father brings home. 

Although it doesn’t seem like it at first, the fates of all the characters are very closely intertwined and naturally meet several times throughout the story. Still, each views the issue of androids and their potential rebellion against humanity differently. It is with the first murder, which hints at a severe problem with android obedience, that begins a sequence of events that take you across the city of Detroit and eventually the entire United States to try again and again to find the answer to the question – “How far are you willing to go to achieve freedom?”

When Your Choices REALLY Matter

As you will have gathered, Detroit is true to its predecessors and is more of an interactive film than a game. The developers give you enough freedom and interaction at specific points so you do not feel deprived. Still, the reins are firmly held by the story above all else. It moves forward steadily, and I’ve yet to experience such an engaging narrative where I wasn’t so actively involved in the action. Each chapter builds on the next, with one crucial decision after another being thrown at the player. As is the way with Quantic Dream, almost everyone can cost you your life. 

Yes, even here, you’ll encounter many choices and decisions that take the story in unexpected directions. If one of the characters dies, there’s no turning back. However, this is one of the game’s great strengths – there are so many story branches that you can play the game six times and constantly encounter something new. At this point, I’ve played the game for about the third time and still know I have yet to discover everything. And that’s very, very respectable for a game that is very linear in its own way.

The Emotional Rollercoaster You Didn’t See Coming

Moreover, the developers have managed to meticulously think through all the characters so that after a few initial moments, you’ll be invested in the lives of each of them, hoping with every conversation that you don’t mess something up and that your favorites stay alive for at least a bit longer. Even the likes of Connor, who looks pretty robotic and aloof at the start, eventually becomes an incredible assassin who could high-five John Wick and grow on almost everyone. The development of the characters throughout the story is portrayed brilliantly, and more importantly – everything is entirely in your hands.

When Games Look THIS Good, Who Needs Movies?

Thanks to the game’s relatively closed structure and concept, the developers have let their imagination and graphic engine run wild. Detroit is one of the best-looking games in the world today. In fact, you’ll often wonder if you’re not playing a CGI movie because the graphics are the best to be found at the time. Everything is of the highest standard, whether we’re talking about animations, detail-rich environments, lots of little particle effects, or the fluidity of the surroundings. 

Of course, you’ll come across slightly choppy animations here and there, especially when moving characters, but that’s due to the specific genre and is understandable. On the other hand, the facial animation and the acting are top-notch. Watching your favorite characters during dialogues that, through no fault of your own, can go awry at any second is a treat. 

Detroit is, in short, visual porn, and it doesn’t matter how many times you play it. The excellent news for everyone will be the bravura use of the language you have set up, which is not only present in the dialogue in the form of subtitles but is also integrated into all the text in the game. All the magazines, dialogues, interactions, and other elements are in the language you set, so you can enjoy the game even if you are unfamiliar with English or any other language.

Why Detroit Belongs on Your Spotify Playlist

The soundtrack is a chapter unto itself. The developers recruited three composers for the official soundtrack, each caring for one character in the story. This gives each character a unique musical score that conveys their mood, atmosphere, or “personality.” The music is also interactive, perfectly matching what’s happening on screen. During quiet moments of exploration, a few instruments strum while epic loops kick in during thrilling chases and engulf you entirely. Here, we have another soundtrack you can safely play on your phone and out of the game, for example. 

Bonus Content: Unlocking Detroit’s Story Secrets

In addition to the story campaign, which you can play endlessly, the game also offers smaller bonuses that you can unlock with the points you accumulate while playing. These are little things like artwork, developer diaries, behind-the-scenes glimpses of development, complete 3D models of all the characters in the game, soundtrack samples, and trailers. Of course, you can’t expect multiplayer but other additional content, but that’s understandable.

The Game That Makes You Question Humanity

Detroit: Become Human might not be a game that suits everyone’s taste. Nevertheless, it is a remarkable example of how a video game can transform into an interactive work of art that competes with classic movies. If you are a Quantic Dream’s games fan, then you are in for a treat with their best game yet. Everything is almost flawless, from the characters to the music and the graphics. It will leave you with a lasting emotional impression. In short, it is a masterpiece of interactive storytelling!

Purchase Detroit Become Human

PlayStation Store: The game is available on the PlayStation Store for PS4 at a price of $19.99. There is also a Digital Deluxe Edition available for $29.99, which includes additional content​ (PlayStation Store)​​.

Epic Games Store: On the Epic Games Store, “Detroit: Become Human” is priced at $39.99. This version boasts enhanced visuals and full PC compatibility, including support for 4K resolution and 60fps​ (Epic Games Store)​​ (VG247)​.

Steam: The game is also available on Steam, where it integrates well with Steam’s features like achievements and cloud saves​ (Steam Store)​.

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