‘Detroit Become Human’ Was More Than Expected
Detroit: Become Human is an interactive drama and action-adventure game developed by Quantic Dream and released in 2018. Set in a futuristic Detroit, the game explores themes of artificial intelligence, human rights, and societal inequality as it follows three distinct android characters—Kara, Connor, and Markus—who begin to question their roles as subservient machines and rebel against their human creators.
I streamed this seven-year-old game on my Twitch and TikTok platforms, conducting my first play-through of this game ever.
Here’s what I thought:
Pros:
Narrative and Themes: The story is rich and thought-provoking, dealing with themes of freedom, discrimination, and the moral implications of creating sentient beings. It raises questions about empathy, identity, and what it means to be human, making it an engaging story that prompts deep reflection.
Character Development: Each protagonist is well-crafted, with distinct personalities and struggles. Kara, seeking to protect a child, is relatable and empathetic. Connor, the android investigator, has a more logical, detached nature that gradually evolves. Markus, the leader of the android rebellion, explores themes of revolution and morality. These characters' development drives the emotional stakes of the story.
Diverging Choices: Detroit is heavily influenced by player decisions, with choices that lead to multiple outcomes, allowing for high replayability. Every action you take can impact the narrative, whether in major plot points or minor interactions, giving players the freedom to shape the story meaningfully.
Visuals: The game features stunning visuals, with highly detailed character models and environments that bring its futuristic world to life. The motion capture, particularly facial expressions, helps convey a lot of emotion, making the characters feel more real.
Music and Voice Acting: The atmospheric soundtrack supports the game's tone and emotional moments. The voice acting is top-notch, with the cast delivering strong performances that elevate the story's impact.
Cons:
Limited Gameplay: While the game offers a cinematic experience, the gameplay can feel somewhat shallow. The primary focus is on making decisions and completing quick-time events (QTEs) rather than providing deep, traditional gameplay mechanics. This may turn off players looking for more action-oriented experiences.
Pacing Issues: Some parts of the game feel slow or drag on, especially when the story sets up the larger conflict. The pacing can sometimes feel uneven, with certain segments feeling like filler rather than essential to the plot.
3. Overreliance on Quick-Time Events: Some players find the frequent use of quick-time events to be repetitive and detract from the overall experience, as they interrupt the flow of the narrative and feel a bit mechanical.
Conclusion:
Detroit: Become Human is a game that excels in its storytelling, offering an immersive experience filled with moral quandaries and emotional stakes. It's a must-play for fans of narrative-driven games and those interested in exploring philosophical questions surrounding AI and humanity. However, its reliance on QTEs and shallow gameplay mechanics might not appeal to everyone. For those who prioritize story and character, it's a deeply engaging experience worth exploring.
