Released in 2018, Detroit: Become Human was one of the first choice making games I had experienced. From initially finding myself hooked on the trailer, to playing the demo on the PS4, it was almost an unconscious decision to download and play this masterpiece of a game. Truly, I could not get the story from my head until my next playthrough.
In this in-depth review we will break down why so many people view Detroit: Become Human as their game of the year, through a breakdown of metrics tailored to decision making narrative games. As always we provide all these metrics and feature finds upfront, so you can have an overview before diving in deeper! Without further ado, let’s dive into the metrics.
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Detroit: Become Human /rating:4.4
Play Time
- Main Story: 8-12 hours
- Side + Main: 25-30 hours
Ratings (Out of 5)
Game Features
Story /rating:5
Detroit: Become Human unfolds in a near-future Detroit where humanoid androids, created to serve humans, begin to awaken to consciousness. The branching narrative features multiple storylines, intricately weaving the perspectives of three distinct android characters—Kara, Markus, and Connor. Detroit: Become Human explores relevant social and ethical themes, sparking discussions on artificial intelligence, autonomy, and prejudice, all of which can be seen as parallel’s to the world’s climate today.
Choice Impact /rating:5
The choices you make throughout the game have far-reaching consequences, influencing character relationships, story arcs, and the ultimate fate of the characters. Additionally, the game presents you with thought-provoking moral choices, adding complexity to decision-making and fostering reflection on the consequences of actions. One narrative I particularly enjoyed was the second half of Markus’ arc, with the ability to control his choices and actions in order to influence the public opinion of androids, affecting the overall tone and atmosphere of the game world.
Gameplay mechanics /rating:3.5
Throughout Detroit: Become Human, you are given the ability to interact with the environment, examine objects, and make decisions for three different android characters. Each android character has their own unique perspective, storyline, and abilities, such as Connor’s advanced investigative skills or Markus’s ability to influence other androids, providing varied gameplay experiences. Certain situations in the game include time sensitive decision making, which succeeds in adding an extra layer of tension and urgency to the narrative. However, the game focuses heavily on narrative and choice, which some may find less engaging as any quick-time events are few and far between. Despite this, the mechanics are generally intuitive and unobtrusive, allowing you to focus on the story without being distracted by complex controls.
Graphics /rating:5
Detroit: Become Human feels like stepping into the world of a blockbuster movie. The game is wholly cinematic in nature with well-directed scenes, camera angles, and a dynamic soundtrack that enhances the overall storytelling experience. With high-quality graphics and realistic characters, you are truly treated to a uniquely cinematic and immersive experience throughout the gameplay.
Character Development /rating:3.5
Characters in the game are well-developed, with emotional depth and realistic motivations. Indeed, both the story and characters successfully elicit emotional responses throughout the narrative. You truly want to make the right decisions for them and feel genuine regret when making a ‘wrong’ decision. Inevitably, it is common to find some characters more compelling than others, but the narrative arcs are weighted evenly enough that this does not hinder the enjoyability of the gameplay experience. One notable exception to this was Markus’ story. I found his progression was less well developed at the beginning of the game, and continued to jump around as the game progressed. (Spoiler) Although it can generally be inferred what led to Markus ending up in the junkyard, I felt as though a scene was missing prior to this that would have assisted the linear progression of his story.
Pacing /rating:4
The game maintains a generally good pace, balancing intense action sequences with more contemplative and emotional moments. The gameplay includes a range of quick time events that require rapid pressing of buttons or a sequence of movements to navigate through action sequences and critical moments. These succeed in creating adrenaline fuelled intervals, perfectly complimenting the emotive choices that form the foundation of the gameplay. Additionally, each of the three narrative arcs kicks off with its own pace and action, allowing for variation in the gameplay straight from the word go. Connor’s narrative unfolds with immediate action, providing an engaging start, whereas Kara and Markus’ stories commence at a more deliberate and measured pace.
Replay Value /rating:5
Immediately after finishing Detroit: Become Human I wanted to start it again, an extremely rare occurrence for me. The branching narrative and multitude of choices make the game highly replayable, encouraging you to make different decisions to fully explore a variety of story paths and endings. Furthermore, Detroit encourages experimentation with choices and, indeed, your own moral compass. Choose a different personality, maybe more ruthless or empathetic than last time to observe how your choices affect characters, relationships and the overall plot.
