Summary
Detroit: Become Humanis a masterful example of the butterfly effect in gaming. Very similar toUntil Dawn, each chapter of the story puts the player through a gauntlet of stressful decisions, each of which has a major impact on how the story progresses. Whether or not Markus, Connor, and Kara survive, as well as the friends they make along the way, is entirely down to the player’s decisions. It’s possible for everyone to receive the bad endings to their individual stories. These endings are serious tearjerkers, leaving players wondering where they went wrong.
The good news is,Detroit: Become Humanknows that a good story doesn’t need a downer ending to be compelling. With the right decisions and some quick reflexes, each android can survive to see the end of their story. Even better, there are a few extra things players can do to ensure that the endings they get are as happy as possible. While it’s impossible to cover every single possible decision and outcome in one short article, here are some general guidelines to keep in mind when playing.
Markus' Best Ending
Leading a Successful Revolution
It’s easiest to start withMarkus’story, since he’s arguably the game’s leading protagonist. The way his story progresses also has a major impact on both Connor and Kara’s story and is essential to their best endings. When his story truly begins, he’ll need to intervene in the confrontation between Carl and Leo. Doing this won’t have much of an impact on the overall ending, but failing to do so will result in Markus' father figure suffering a fatal heart attack.
As the story progresses, Markus finds the underground android hideout Jericho and begins leading the android revolution. This is where the player’s decisions really start having some stakes. The most important thing to keep in mind is that the purpose of the revolution is to demonstrate that androids are not onlyalive, but also that they’re compassionate and sympathetic. To that end, Markus needs to lead withpacifistic diplomacy,notwith violence and aggression.
Here are a few key points to keep in mind whenplaying as Markus:
Connor’s Best Ending
Become Deviant
It’s a lot easier to giveConnora happy ending, since, unlike the other two, he technically can’t die (except for a few crucial moments). He’s also the android who takes the longest to break free of his programming. It takes almost the entire story for him to rebel against his creators and join the revolution (which, if players have been making the right choices, should be going well by that point). In order for Connor to go full-deviant, the players need tostick to the following principles:
Kara’s Best Ending
Welcome to Canada
Kara’sstory is really easy to mess up. Between caring for Alice, trusting the right (and wrong) people, and trying to flee across the border intact,a lot can go wrong. The driving force for Kara’s good ending is Alice; protect that little cinnamon roll at all costs! Starting with standing up to Todd, the worst dad alive, and continuing on through Jericho, Ztlatko, and finally, the border office. Neverabandon Alice or throw her under the bus. She and Kara are ride or die to the bitter end.
The other important character for Kara to bring with her is Luther. He needs to make it to Canada as well for this little found family to be complete. He’s more than willing to die for the cause, but don’t let him. This big, lovable protector deserves freedom as well.
Now, assuming Kara and Alice managed to escape from Zlatko (and the recall center if captured at Jericho), the real make-it-or-break-it moment is at the border. Depending on how Kara’s story has progressed, there should be a few allies waiting in line, ready to help out. Just play it cool, and remember the following, and Kara & co. will make it across the border just fine:
