Game Review: Detroit: Become Human

 

SPECS

Game Genre: Adventure
Mode: Single Player
Platform: PS4
Developer: Quantic Dream
Release Date: May 25, 2018
Story Genre: Science-Fiction



Hey guys! So this is really exciting for me as I have never in my life, ever reviewed a game before. It's actually really funny because I don't play games. I feel like I get bored, I never have the patience to sit there and figure things out for myself, and I am ultimately only interested in the story anyway. So, I generally prefer watching others play games or simply getting the story from the cutscenes. 🤷

Many of you don't and wouldn't know that my roommate is part of the Game Design program at our school, and as such is always playing games whether that be in his bedroom, or downstairs in the living room. For the most part, I never paid any attention because I figured he was into what most other guys are into, the likes of Halo or Fortnite (which I can accept are fun but like I stated, I prefer the stories of games and not the actual playing, so no thanks to those), but now appreciate that I've been lucky enough to have a person so close to me that has a thorough knowledge of what's popular and what's good.

So, the story goes that I went out to see the new Tomb Raider film starring Alicia Vikander (which is now available on DVD), and I had never attempted the game or ever really thought about doing so. Knowing that I had no background in the new and rebooted storyline, I really enjoyed the movie and was instantly obsessed with wanting to watch the video games. Luckily, I entered a whole new world on YouTube where you can watch full gameplays that span several hours, or simple cutscene "films" without the actual gameplay. I then went on to watch the full gameplays of both Tomb Raider and Rise of the Tomb Raider, and then moved on to ALL Uncharted games, and have explored even further into the world of game stories thanks to my roommate and his suggestions.

And this is how I ended up watching the gameplay of Detroit: Become Human, because my roommate suggested that I would probably really enjoy it. I am always so in awe of the graphics that games now have, and this game is no exception. The graphics are insanely realistic, and the movements both in body and face help to match the mood of the characters and their personalities, really reflecting back on the actors that did the motion capture in the studios. I also need to give a big thumbs up to the overall cinematography of the game, as the movements of the camera recreate human-like movement as you would have in a film or tv show.

Now outside of the game design which I really can't vouch too much for, I want to speak heavily on the story itself, which I am so happy exists in the world. The story has multiple avenues and routes that the characters can take which is all based on what you, the player, choose for them. So, the gameplay I watched which lasted roughly nine hours, was only one ending out of several that could take place depending on how you play.

The story follows three different perspectives, all androids within the setting of Detroit of 2038. The world has progressed to the point that intelligent humanoid robotics are commonplace, with the company CyberLife, selling multiple models for multiple purposes at (surprisingly) really great prices. You could have a housemaid, a garbage man, or a receptionist etc, which is a major factor in what is happening during this time. The sophistication of humanoid robotics have left many humans without jobs, and a lot of tension is occurring between those that are resentful towards them, and the androids themselves. But that is just the beginning, as sentience in the androids begins to spread throughout the city, leading towards a civil war against androids and humans.

Now, to start off with the characters we have Connor, an android created by CyberLife who is sent to accompany the Detroit Polie Department in the hunting down of these now sentient robots, which they categorize as "deviants." We then have Kara, a housekeeper android working in the home of a man and his young daughter, who becomes sentient after protecting the little girl from being abused where together they run away and try to find a way out of the city and to safety. Lastly, we have Markus, a caretaker android who "awakens" after his owner suddenly passes away, who finds himself at the head of the rebellion and resistance against the humans, rallying for equal rights and setting the rest of the androids free.

The story is focused heavily on the concept of what is consciousness, and if you as the player are for or against their cause. If you've seen Westworld, the storyline is very similar, in that the goal is for the androids to achieve sentience, and to then take their fate into their own hands. Becuase of this, depending on which point of view you take, you can lead the characters and shape them into what they will become, as well as shape how the story ends.

I've gone back and watched quite a bit more as far as the various endings, and different events that could take place based off of the different decisions a player can make, and I have to say they are all amazing. The entire concept of this game is so well thought out, which lends itself to the beautiful design of the game, the visuals that were created, and even the soundtrack that accompanies the actions. It was interesting to see that sentience is achieved by action, that they have to work for it and decide to become deviant rather than it simply happening for whatever reason. Although deviancy can be considered a "virus" as a deviant android could then awaken another android and pass it on, it's also dormant within them to begin with, and that any moment of stress could cause the androids to start displaying human emotion.

I love how each character is individual and unique, and that they represent a different side to the puzzle and overall picture of whats happening around the city and with the androids. Each storyline can be ranked in importance and overall impact, in that Kara's is much smaller and more localized compared to that of Markus, who is going about guns blazing and forcing the attention towards the bigger picture. And then, of course, we have Connor, who is all about finding the facts and learning about what's happening and why, and ultimately the importance of consciousness and being alive. Each storyline is there to prove something and helps to carry everything along.

I can go on and on about this game, but I just want to leave it at this...it's wonderful. A hardcore 5/5 from me. I absolutely love this story and I want more of it! It's beautiful, it's emotional, it's well paced, and there's so much to glean from it as far as the possibilities of AI and the potential repercussions of it. We all expect that if robots become a thing, then they will take over, and I am definitely subscribing to that notion. This story takes another angle, that although they can take over and be the end of us, that they may have more humanity than we would give them credit for.

If you are a gamer and haven't played this game, please do! And if you are not a gamer, then do yourself a favor and check out the cutscene films or various gameplays that are available on YouTube for you to see! Until next time my dudes...

Watch the gameplay that I enjoyed here.