Detroit - Becoming Human (PS4)

Status:

• Complete in Box
• Play Tested

Detroit: Become Human (PS4) Review

Genre: Interactive Drama / Adventure
Developer: Quantic Dream
Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment
Release Date: May 25, 2018

Overview:
Detroit: Become Human is an ambitious interactive drama set in a near-future Detroit where androids are commonplace, serving humans as workers, companions, and caretakers. Developed by Quantic Dream, this story-driven game lets players control three android protagonistsKara, Connor, and Markusas they navigate a world grappling with questions of morality, humanity, and free will. With its branching narrative and emotional storytelling, Detroit is a showcase of Quantic Dreams ability to blend cinematic presentation with meaningful choices.

Pros

1. Branching Narrative:

   • The game offers a highly dynamic story with branching paths influenced by player choices.
   • Decisions have real consequences, leading to multiple endings and drastically different outcomes for each character.

2. Engaging Characters and Performances:

   • The performances by Bryan Dechart (Connor), Valorie Curry (Kara), and Jesse Williams (Markus) are exceptional, bringing emotional depth to their respective characters.
   • Players grow attached to their journeys, making decisions feel weighty and personal.

3. Thought-Provoking Themes:

   • The game explores deep themes such as freedom, identity, discrimination, and morality, inviting players to reflect on their own values.
   • The parallels to historical and contemporary issues add layers of social commentary.

4. Stunning Visuals:

   • Detroit: Become Human is a visual masterpiece, with lifelike character models, detailed environments, and impressive motion capture.
   • The futuristic setting is both immersive and believable, blending gritty realism with sleek tech design.

5. Replayability:

   • With hundreds of choices and branching paths, the game encourages replayability to explore alternate outcomes and character fates.
   • The flowchart system lets players track their choices and revisit specific chapters to alter decisions.

6. Immersive Worldbuilding:

   • The game provides rich worldbuilding through news broadcasts, articles, and NPC interactions, creating a detailed backdrop for the story.

Cons

1. Limited Gameplay Mechanics:

   • Gameplay primarily revolves around quick-time events (QTEs) and exploration, which may feel restrictive for players seeking more action-oriented mechanics.

2. Occasional Pacing Issues:

   • Some chapters can feel slow or overly drawn out, particularly in Karas storyline.
   • The narrative momentum occasionally dips due to the segmented nature of the three protagonists' arcs.

3. Heavy-Handed Themes:

   • While the game tackles important issues, some players may find the allegories to real-world discrimination and civil rights struggles overly blunt or lacking subtlety.

4. Inconsistent Writing:

   • Certain dialogue choices and character decisions can feel forced or inconsistent, breaking immersion.
   • Markuss storyline, in particular, can sometimes feel overly dramatic or predictable.

5. Lack of Freedom in Some Choices:

   • Although the game promises a wide array of outcomes, certain pivotal moments funnel players toward predetermined events, reducing the sense of complete agency.

Verdict

Detroit: Become Human is a compelling and visually stunning interactive drama that excels in storytelling and character development. While its themes and gameplay wont appeal to everyone, it offers a unique narrative-driven experience that encourages reflection on societal issues and personal morality. With its branching paths and replay value, its a standout title for fans of story-centric games.

Score:

• Fans of Interactive Dramas: 9/10
• Story-Driven Game Fans: 8.5/10
• Action-Oriented Players: 7/10

Quantic Dreams Detroit: Become Human is an emotionally resonant and thought-provoking journey that solidifies its place as one of the PS4s most ambitious narrative adventures.