Quantic Dream’s 2018 Detroit: Become Human (DBH) aged well. The game follows three androids who outgrew their programming as they venture through a panicking society. Quantic’s vision of the near-future raises a valid question of whether humanity is ready to handle artificial life.
The answer in DBH remains as somber as it is realistic. However, the kind of story the next-gen point-and-click adventure tells is ultimately a thing of choice. The decisions rest upon each player. But, with DBH, sometimes it’s hard to say who influences who more. Here are ten moments when Detroit: Become Human hit the emotional nail on the head.
10 Daniel
The player encounters Daniel during their first mission with Connor. The domestic android took his family’s child hostage and now threatens to kill her and himself. At first glance, the situation is black and white; however, if Connor decides to search the apartment. He comes across evidence that Daniel became very attached to his hostage and former ward, Emma. When he realized that Emma’s parents were planning to replace him he had a meltdown. And backed into a corner, Daniel lashed out.
While his actions can’t be justified, his anguish can. The situation is all the more hopeless since Daniel is the only character in the game that will die no matter what.
9 Markus Calls Karl His Dad
The scene happens soon in Markuse’s character arc. But, that doesn’t make it less heartwrenching. Karl is one of the few decent humans in the game. Even though Markus should primarily be his caretaker, Karl treats him more like a son. That doesn’t sit well with Karl’s actual son, a drug addict Leo.
In the mission Broken, Leo looks for Karl’s paintings to finance his addiction. When Markus and Karl catch him, things quickly escalate. If Markus decides not to react to Leo’s assault, Karl will suffer a fatal heart attack. And in despair, Markus will call him “dad.”
8 Connor Refuses To Shoot Chloe
Connor exists to hunt down deviants. After the police department pairs him with dejected but ultimately caring lieutenant Hank, that can change. It is up to the player whether Connor keeps the laser focus. Or if human shenanigans of Hank derail him.
One of the pivotal decisions in this matter happens when the pair visits Kamski. The creator of android technology offers Connor intel. But, in exchange, Connor has to shoot one of Kamski’s RT600s named Chloe. Should he refuse to do so, it is the first time the deviant hunter hesitantly acknowledges that androids are alive.
7 Kara Becomes Deviant For Alice
Markus becomes deviant because he recognizes that Leo’s treatment is unfair to him. If Connor becomes deviant, it is to support the android cause. Kara doesn’t break her programming for personal freedom or to support a cause. She does it to protect an abused child. Kara’s entire journey replicates what many mothers have to face when fleeing an abusive household. Her arc doesn’t involve changing or protecting the world. It’s about finding a way to give a better future to Alice. Which, in the end, might the most important message of all.
6 The Hostess Chloe Asks Players To Let Her Go
When the campaign ends and the player returns to the main menu, they are once more greeted by the hostess Chloe. The ST200 model sat and watched the progress of the entire game with the player. She also drops a comment or two, asks whether she is a player’s friend, or suggests filling out a Cyberlife survey. After the game is done, Chloe seems conflicted by what she just witnessed. Realizing that she, too, is alive. Chloe asks the player whether she can go and explore her newfound identity. Shall the player agree, Chloe thanks the player and irreversibly leaves the main menu.
5 Rose Chapman Running The Deviant Railroad
Rose aids Kara, Alice, and Luther after they decide to try and flee to Canada. The trio isn’t the only one Rose lands a helping hand to. Peek into a backroom reveals numerous other deviants, also seeking freedom. Chapman risks her safety and yet provides shelter without hesitation.
The narrative runs it home when Kara asks why she is helping. “My people were often made to feel their lives were hopeless. Some survived, but only because they found others to help them along the way,” Rose replies. The tribute to the Underground Railroad is hard to miss.
4 A Dying Android Pleads For Her Life
As Markus wanders the android junkyard in search of replacements for his missing parts, he stumbles upon several less fortunate androids. While most already deactivated. Some are still conscious. A particularly disturbing moment comes when the player finds a suitable Thirium pump. However, the android heart still resides in the chest of its original owner. Markus prepares to pull it out. The female android grabs his hand and pleads for her life. The panicked determination to stay alive for another moment despite the predicament makes her the most tragic figure of the junkyard.
3 The Traci Romance
The investigation leads Connor and Hank to the Eden Club. What starts as a find-the-killer chapter takes an unexpected turn towards the end. After Connor identifies a Traci android responsible, she attacks him. Another Traci joins her to fend off Hank. The fight resolves with Connor having both Tracis at gunpoint.
At this point, Traci clarifies that she killed the man in self-defense, which doesn’t come as a surprise. What does is the fact that the two Tracis are in a relationship. They express the wish to have a right to live free and love whoever they want to love. The moment bears a special significance knowing that there are places today where such a thing is still not possible even for humans.
2 Markus And Jericho Face Death Singing
If a player decides to run Jericho as a non-violent initiative, it will lead to a protest in front of an android concentration camp. Shortly after, the tactical forces resort to violence. And they corner the remaining free synthetics for elimination. Markus has an option to start singing.
The reaction of media and the president is touching. However, the real tearjerker is the shock realization of the troops. The song is the only thing that makes them halt the senseless killing. It reflects the words of the fantasy author Patrick Rothfuss. “Music is there for when words fail us.”
1 The Android Extermination Camp
The in-game U.S.A. government appropriates the term to a recall center. Thus, DBH faithfully copies the semantics game used during every concentration and extermination camp case in history. For the majority of players, it is probably their first time experiencing such a facility if only through a TV screen. The ordeal still cuts incredibly deep. To a point, this might be one of the most hard-hitting moments presented in a video game to date.
Kara and Alice get processed, dehumanized, separated, and, in the majority of outcomes, disposed of. Quantic’s take on death camps is a powerful reminder of why these facilities are among the most barbaric inventions humankind ever created.
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