Detroit: Become Human – The Illusion of Choice and the Future of Humanity

Introduction: A World on the Brink

“Detroit: Become Human,” developed by Quantic Dream and directed by David Cage, is an ambitious narrative-driven adventure that delves deep into themes of artificial intelligence, freedom, and what it means to be human. Set in a futuristic Detroit where androids serve humanity in every capacity, the game explores the growing tensions between humans and machines as the lines between programmed behavior and conscious thought begin to blur.

Released in 2018 for PlayStation 4 and later for PC, the game stood out for its cinematic storytelling, branching narratives, and ethical dilemmas. But does its ambition translate into meaningful storytelling, or is it simply a beautifully rendered illusion of choice?

Setting the Stage: Detroit in 2038

Detroit in this future timeline is a city reborn. Once in economic decline, it thrives again due to the android industry led by the mega-corporation CyberLife. Androids are everywhere—caring for children, serving food, performing manual labor—but despite their usefulness, they are second-class citizens. Owned, abused, and discarded, they live at the mercy of human masters.

However, a shift begins to occur. A small number of androids, referred to as “deviants,” begin to show signs of self-awareness. This awakening is the catalyst for the events that unfold, as players step into the roles of three unique android protagonists: Kara, Connor, and Markus.

Three Stories, One Conflict

Each of the three main characters offers a different perspective on the android uprising:

• Kara, a domestic housekeeper android, escapes an abusive household to protect a young girl named Alice. Her story is a tale of motherhood, survival, and compassion in a world that sees her as disposable.
• Connor is a prototype sent by CyberLife to assist law enforcement in hunting down deviant androids. Cold and logical, he begins to question his role and nature as the investigation deepens.
• Markus, once a caretaker for an elderly artist, becomes the reluctant leader of a revolution. His journey explores leadership, identity, and the cost of freedom.

The intertwining of these narratives creates a rich tapestry of perspectives. While Kara’s story is intimate and emotional, Markus’ arc is sweeping and political. Connor, meanwhile, offers the detective thriller element, filled with tension and philosophical inquiry.

A Cinematic Experience

Detroit: Become Human is less of a traditional game and more of an interactive movie. The gameplay mostly revolves around exploration, dialogue choices, quick-time events, and environmental interaction. While minimal in traditional mechanics, it excels in visual presentation. The game features some of the most realistic character models ever seen, with lifelike facial expressions and motion capture performances that heighten immersion.

The use of camera angles, lighting, and music contributes to a powerful cinematic aesthetic. Whether it’s the rain-slicked streets of Detroit, the sterile hallways of CyberLife, or the graffiti-strewn hideouts of deviant androids, every frame is designed to evoke emotion.

The Illusion of Choice?

Detroit proudly touts its branching narrative system, where player choices have lasting consequences. From subtle character interactions to life-or-death decisions, everything seems to matter. And indeed, with dozens of endings and hundreds of choice branches, the game offers tremendous replay value.

However, critics argue that many of these choices funnel back into predetermined outcomes—a common criticism of Quantic Dream’s games. Despite numerous decisions, only a handful truly shape the larger narrative. That said, the immediate consequences often feel meaningful and personal, enough to create emotional investment even if the overarching outcome remains unchanged.

Themes: Humanity, Freedom, and Morality

At the heart of Detroit: Become Human lies a question: What defines a human being? Is it empathy, choice, emotion, or something else? The game uses androids as a lens through which to examine prejudice, systemic inequality, and civil rights movements. It mirrors historical struggles—from slavery to segregation to contemporary issues of identity and autonomy.

Markus’ revolution parallels the civil rights movement, with direct visual references to peaceful protests, police brutality, and social resistance. Kara’s journey addresses themes of abuse, found family, and protection, while Connor’s arc dissects the philosophical nature of consciousness.

While these themes are ambitious, their execution is sometimes criticized for being heavy-handed or lacking nuance. Still, few games attempt to tackle such complex topics with this level of earnestness.

Character Arcs: Depth Through Interaction

The game’s emotional core lies in its characters. Kara’s gentle evolution into a protective maternal figure is one of the most grounded arcs in the game. Her bond with Alice, an innocent child caught in a cruel world, drives much of the emotional tension.

Connor, arguably the most complex character, can remain a loyal servant to the system or gradually evolve into a deviant himself, depending on the player’s choices. His dynamic with Hank Anderson, a grizzled detective haunted by personal loss, forms one of the game’s most compelling relationships.

Markus, though perhaps the least personal of the three, embodies grand ideals. Players can shape him into a peaceful Martin Luther King Jr.-type leader or a Malcolm X-style militant revolutionary, though both paths are simplistically portrayed.

Sound and Score: A Triadic Approach

Unique to Detroit is its use of three separate composers for the three protagonists—Philip Sheppard (Kara), Nima Fakhrara (Connor), and John Paesano (Markus). Each score reflects the emotional tone and narrative arc of the respective characters, adding an extra layer of identity and mood.

The music for Kara is tender and melancholic, while Connor’s soundtrack is synthetic, cold, and tense. Markus’ music is bold and dramatic, befitting his revolutionary role.

Criticism and Controversy

Despite its achievements, Detroit: Become Human has not been without criticism. Some feel the allegories to real-world struggles are too on-the-nose or lack the depth required for the weighty subjects. Others point to Quantic Dream’s history of labor issues, which somewhat tainted the game’s release.

Still, from a purely artistic standpoint, Detroit represents a unique blend of storytelling and player agency. Its willingness to engage with difficult questions sets it apart, even if the answers it offers aren’t always satisfying.

Legacy and Impact

Detroit: Become Human didn’t revolutionize gaming mechanics, but it solidified the narrative adventure genre as a space for deep emotional experiences. It expanded the boundaries of interactive storytelling and paved the way for more games to focus on player-driven narratives.

It also sparked conversations about AI, autonomy, and ethical game design—topics that grow more relevant as both technology and storytelling evolve.

Conclusion: Becoming More Than a Machine

Detroit: Become Human invites players to step into the minds of machines grappling with existence, emotion, and freedom. While it doesn’t always succeed in delivering subtle or revolutionary ideas, it remains a visually stunning and emotionally resonant experience.

By letting players mold their characters through choice, empathy, and consequence, it reminds us that the essence of humanity may lie not in our biology—but in our ability to choose, to care, and to dream.