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Detroit: Become Human

Name: Comprehensive Review and Analysis of Detroit: Become Human
Item: Detroit: Become Human
Author: Critik Editorial Team

2018

GenresAdventure, Action, Third Person Perspective, Open World, Puzzle and Logic, Interactive Movie, RPG, Drama, Single Player

AvailableMay 25, 2018

PlatformPC, PlayStation 4

DeveloperQuantic Dream

Overview

Detroit: Become Human puts the destiny of both mankind and androids in your hands, taking you to a near future where machines have become more intelligent than humans. Every choice you make affects the outcome of the game, with one of the most intricately branching narratives ever created.

Elsewhere

9.2

Game analysis

Monster Scorecard

EXPAND ALL

Story and Narrative

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR STORY

Story Score

Positive (80-100)

68%

Mixed (50-79)

32%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the story and narrative.

The majority of the critics agree that the story of Detroit: Become Human is a strong point of the game. COGconnected praises the engaging and intriguing narratives created by David Cage and his team at Quantic Dream, while GamePro Germany commends the game for presenting ethical questions about slavery and freedom through the story of three androids. Press Start Australia also applauds the game for its thematically tied narratives that are emotionally impactful and coherent. TheSixthAxis notes that the story tackles many big subjects such as slavery, oppression, and homophobia, and that it's a story that will resonate with different people in different ways. However, some critics also point out the negatives of the story. Cheat Code Central criticizes the inconsistent storytelling, with Kara's story being stereotypical and contrived, and the more extreme moments of assault, enslavement, racism, and sexual abuse being employed in ways that make sense or are occasionally approached with some degree of tact in Connor and Markus’ routes. The Sydney Morning Herald also criticizes the story for its simplistic allegories and the way it sets up moral dilemmas with two horrible options only to twist the knife no matter which you choose. Overall, the consensus of the critics is that the story of Detroit: Become Human is a strong point of the game, with compelling and timely narratives, interesting main characters, emotionally substantial individual scenes, and a vast and branching storyline with multiple possible endings. However, some themes and messages fall flat, and the writing lacks subtlety and needs a sensitivity reader. The game encourages repeat playthroughs to see all the outcomes and rabbit holes, and it's a story that will test your moral compass to the fullest.

TL;DR

story and narrative

Critics praise Detroit: Become Human for its engaging narratives exploring themes of slavery and freedom with emotional impact. However, some criticize the inconsistent storytelling and simplistic allegories. Overall, the game's story offers compelling characters and multiple endings, though some themes may lack subtlety and sensitivity. Detroit: Become Human challenges players' moral compass and invites replayability for different outcomes.

Gameplay Mechanics

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR GAMEPLAY

Gameplay Score

Positive (80-100)

36%

Mixed (50-79)

60%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the gameplay mechanics.

The critics generally agree that Detroit: Become Human's gameplay is decision-based, with quick-time events and exploration of the game world. The game offers a unique gameplay experience where the player's choices and actions influence the story. The game has diverse decision branches that are not only complex but also thoughtful, making it intriguing to see what could have been after you’ve completed each chapter. The use of the entire dualshock controller to interact with the world is challenging yet satisfying, but the movement is clumsy. The game has an impressive interwoven narrative, and the story changes dynamically depending on the player's decisions and actions. The androids can all freeze time with their Mind Palace and look around for potential actions, a trick most often used by Connor to investigate a scene and conjure up virtual reconstructions. The game mixes things up with different gameplay mechanics for each protagonist, such as detective sequences and computing plans of approach. However, some critics have pointed out that the control scheme is imprecise and cumbersome. The game relies on quick-time events and on-screen button prompts, which some reviewers found to be an encumbrance. The same awkward control scheme of using the right analog stick to perform actions is still present despite it also being used to control the camera. The game has a formula of quick-time events, multiple choice dialogues, and exploration of the game world, with some new features such as the use of time pressure to increase tension and stress levels. The constant use of limited gameplay minutes can become repetitive. Some dialogue choices have a time-limit, which requires fast thinking, and the same can be said for those who like to explore. Exploration is a bit rough on the edges and not entirely smooth as it might look. Movement isn’t very fluid, unless you’re playing as Markus, who can occasionally sprint. But if you’re playing as Kara or Connor, you’ll feel like your legs are slabs of concrete. Overall, the critics agree that the gameplay of Detroit: Become Human is not perfect, but it is enjoyable. The game offers more genuine choices, with lots of varying factors in each story, with characters doing or learning things that do impact the plot. The game has decision-driven computational choices, organic choices, and action sequences with quicktime events. The game is less linear than previous titles from the same developer, and the player's actions and performances in one scene open up choices in subsequent chapters. The game also allows for different outcomes and character deaths, which can affect the story and game length. The game is absolutely shameless in its attempts to elicit any emotion from players. The game is not mechanically dense, but it is well put together. The game is a choose-your-own-adventure-style video game, where players are promised the ability to co-write the stories. However, too often, players feel trapped on train-tracks, able to pull levers to go down different routes, but unable to jump off altogether. The game forces players to consider free will at every turn, but players repeatedly come to the conclusion that their free will is limited.

TL;DR

gameplay mechanics

Detroit: Become Human offers decision-based gameplay with a unique narrative influenced by player choices. Critics praise its complex decision branches and interwoven story, but some find the controls imprecise and repetitive. Each protagonist brings different gameplay mechanics, though movement can feel clumsy. Despite flaws, the game provides an enjoyable experience with genuine choices and varying outcomes, making it a well-crafted choose-your-own-adventure style game that challenges players' perception of free will.

Graphics and Visual Design

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VISUALS

Visual Score

Positive (80-100)

92%

Mixed (50-79)

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the graphics and visual design.

The majority of critics were extremely impressed with the graphics and visual design of Detroit: Become Human. COGconnected, Cheat Code Central, DarkStation, Easy Allies, GamePro Germany, Guardian, IGN Italia, IGN Spain, Metro Montreal, New York Daily News, Press Start Australia, The Sydney Morning Herald, TheSixthAxis, Twinfinite, Video Chums, Wccftech, and Noisy Pixel all praised the game's stunning visuals, character models, and facial animations. The environments were also praised for their attention to detail and immersive qualities. The game's visual presentation was described as vibrant, polished, and cinematic, with some critics noting that the game's visuals are on par with a movie. However, some critics did have minor criticisms regarding the graphics and visual design of the game. COGconnected noted small inconsistencies with the subtitles and white script on a white background. Easy Allies mentioned some stiffness in the lips and artificial-looking children. Twinfinite mentioned occasional issues with getting stuck behind other characters. PC Gamer noted that the PC port of the game could have benefited from deeper video settings impacting the overall graphic quality. Overall, the consensus among critics is that the graphics and visual design of Detroit: Become Human are exceptional, with many praising the game's attention to detail, stunning character models, and impressive facial animations. The game's environments were also praised for their immersive qualities. While there were some minor criticisms, the overwhelming majority of critics were impressed with the game's visuals and cinematic presentation. The game's graphics and visual design were described as among the best on any platform to date, and a technical marvel that sets a new standard for game storytelling mechanics.

TL;DR

graphics and visual design

Critics rave about Detroit: Become Human's jaw-dropping graphics and visual design, with praise for stunning character models, immersive environments, and cinematic presentation. Minor nitpicks include subtitle inconsistencies and occasional stiffness in animations. Despite some flaws, the game sets a new standard for storytelling mechanics with exceptional visuals that rival a movie.

Music and Sound Design

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR SOUND DESIGN

Sound Score

Positive (80-100)

83%

Mixed (50-79)

17%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the music and sound design.

The Sound Design and Music of Detroit: Become Human were praised by the majority of the critics. COGconnected commended the music for bringing the emotions to life and keeping pace with the narrative. DarkStation also praised the music, stating that it perfectly captured the mood of each character's arc. TheSixthAxis added that each protagonist had their own soundtrack, with Kara's being warmer and more emotional, Connor's having electronic bleeps and squelches emphasizing his android nature, and Markus' having a more bombastic score. Video Chums found the music to be absolutely phenomenal, with each character's story featuring a different composer. The jumping from Connor's cold electronic rhythms to Kara's warm orchestral pieces was breathtaking. However, there were some negative opinions about the Sound Design and Music of Detroit: Become Human. Cheat Code Central found Valorie Curry's performance as Kara to be bland and unmemorable, striking them as robotic, which was ironic considering the push to make her seem so human in marketing materials. Wccftech also found Connor's soundtrack to be the weakest of the three protagonists. Overall, the consensus among the critics was that the Sound Design and Music of Detroit: Become Human were very good. GamingTrend found the score to be gorgeous and moving, providing the cinematic score the game needs at just the right moments. Guardian praised the game for having some of the most impressive orchestral scores in video games. IGN Spain found the sound design and music to be well-executed and adding to the immersion of the game. Press Start Australia appreciated how each lead had their own composer scoring their chapters, giving each character a clear identity. Noisy Pixel found the audio to be impressive, with voiced dialogue worthy of the big screen. In conclusion, the Sound Design and Music of Detroit: Become Human were highly praised by the majority of the critics. The music was found to perfectly capture the mood of each character's arc, with each protagonist having their own soundtrack. However, there were some negative opinions about Valorie Curry's performance as Kara and Connor's soundtrack being the weakest of the three. Overall, the Sound Design and Music of Detroit: Become Human were considered to be very good, adding to the immersion and emotions of the game.

TL;DR

music and sound design

Critics lauded the Sound Design and Music of Detroit: Become Human for bringing emotions to life and matching character arcs. Each protagonist had a unique soundtrack, praised for its depth and impact. While some criticized aspects like Valorie Curry's performance, overall, the game's audio was deemed impressive, gorgeous, and immersive by most reviewers.

Voice Acting

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VOICE ACTING

Acting Score

Positive (80-100)

76%

Mixed (50-79)

24%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the voice acting.

The majority of the critics agree that the voice acting in Detroit: Become Human is of a high standard. Cheat Code Central praises the performances of Jesse Williams and Bryan Dechart as Markus and Connor respectively, as well as Clancy Brown as Lt. Anderson. Similarly, GamingTrend lauds the all-star cast, including Williams, Valorie Curry, and Dechart, who deliver "stellar performances". TheSixthAxis also singles out Valorie Curry's portrayal of Kara as a standout performance. The actors are able to bring their characters to life, with convincing and emotional performances that make the player care about the characters and their stories. However, there are some criticisms of the voice acting. Video Chums notes that some of the voice acting is subpar, with one character even mispronouncing Kara's name. The female president's delivery is also described as slow and tedious. The Sydney Morning Herald criticizes the writing and some of the performances, stating that the characters often plainly speak their motivations and inner monologues out loud, leaving no subtext for the player to mull over. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the voice acting in Detroit: Become Human is very good. Easy Allies praises the models for capturing the performance of each actor in natural and relatable ways. Press Start Australia notes that even the supporting roles have satisfying arcs, while Twinfinite states that all of the characters, including the minor ones, are easy to like and get attached to. The actors who portray the face and voice of the characters, particularly Curry, Dechart, and Williams, do a fantastic job of bringing the cybernetic characters to life, according to Noisy Pixel. While there are some criticisms, the majority of the critics agree that the voice acting is a strong point of the game.

TL;DR

voice acting

Critics widely praise the voice acting in Detroit: Become Human, highlighting stellar performances from Jesse Williams, Bryan Dechart, and Valorie Curry. While some criticize certain aspects like subpar delivery and lack of subtlety in writing, the majority agree that the actors convincingly bring their characters to life with emotional depth. Overall, the voice acting is considered a strong point of the game, with even supporting roles having satisfying arcs and characters being easy to like and get attached to.

Technical Performance

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE

Tech Score

Positive (80-100)

33%

Mixed (50-79)

56%

Negative (0-49)

11%

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the technical performance.

The PlayStation 4 version of Detroit: Become Human received mostly positive feedback from the critics. COGconnected and TheSixthAxis noted some minor technical issues such as inconsistent subtitles and occasional performance hiccups. However, GamingTrend and Wccftech praised the game's graphics and solid performance, with GamingTrend stating that there were no major technical issues. Press Start Australia also mentioned some texture pop and rendering issues but did not find them detracting from the overall experience. On the other hand, the PC version of Detroit: Become Human received mixed reviews from the critics. Noisy Pixel noted that the game required between 15 to 30 minutes for shaders to be compiled on the first startup, and the optimization was not perfect. The game suffered from stutters due to the use of Denuvo as a DRM protection, and locking the framerate at 30 solved many of the issues. PC Gamer criticized the 30 fps cap and lack of difference between low and ultra settings, suggesting a hasty PC port. SpazioGames also noted that the PC port was technically perfectible from a fluidity point of view and would have benefited from deeper video settings impacting the overall graphic quality. Overall, the critics' consensus is that Detroit: Become Human is a visually stunning game with solid performance on the PlayStation 4. The minor technical issues mentioned by some critics did not significantly impact the gameplay experience. However, the PC version of the game suffered from optimization issues, with some critics noting that it was a hasty port. Despite this, the game still received positive feedback from the critics, with many praising the game's graphics and story.

TL;DR

technical performance

PlayStation 4 version of Detroit: Become Human gets praise for graphics and performance with minor tech issues, while PC version receives mixed reviews due to optimization problems and a hasty port. Both versions still garner positive feedback for visuals and story.

Replay Value

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR REPLAY VALUE

Replay Score

Positive (80-100)

54%

Mixed (50-79)

46%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the replay value.

The majority of the critics agree that Detroit: Become Human has a high replay value due to the game's branching narrative and diverse decision-making options. COGconnected, Cheat Code Central, DarkStation, Easy Allies, GamePro Germany, Guardian, IGN Italia, IGN Spain, Metro Montreal, Press Start Australia, The Sydney Morning Herald, TheSixthAxis, Yahoo!, and Noisy Pixel all praise the game's ability to offer multiple storylines and outcomes based on the player's choices. The flowchart feature, which allows players to see the choices they made and the paths they didn't take, is also appreciated by many critics, including Cheat Code Central, GamingTrend, Push Square, and Yahoo!. The game's ability to encourage players to stick with their choices and create tension is also highlighted by Easy Allies. However, some critics, such as Digitally Downloaded, GameSpew, Twinfinite, Video Chums, and PC Gamer, express some reservations about the game's replay value. Digitally Downloaded and GameSpew argue that some of the game's darker and more violent endings are unlikely to be experienced by most players, which reduces the appeal of the game's branching narrative. Twinfinite suggests that the game should have offered a better system for players to alter their choices without replaying the entire game. Video Chums criticizes the game's lack of a skip feature for scenes that have already been watched, which makes discovering new paths tedious. PC Gamer notes that some of the choices players make contradict previously established motivations, and some deaths have no impact on the plot or character development. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that Detroit: Become Human has a high replay value due to its branching narrative and diverse decision-making options. The flowchart feature is also appreciated by many critics. However, some critics express reservations about the game's replay value, such as the difficulty of experiencing all the possible storylines and the lack of a skip feature. Despite these reservations, the game's ability to offer multiple storylines and outcomes based on the player's choices is widely praised.

TL;DR

replay value

Detroit: Become Human is praised by many critics for its high replay value stemming from its branching narrative and diverse decision-making options. The game's flowchart feature, allowing players to track their choices, is a standout feature. However, some critics express concerns about the difficulty in experiencing all endings, lack of a skip feature, and inconsistencies in player choices. Despite these reservations, the game is widely commended for its multiple storylines and outcomes based on player decisions.

Overall Verdict

MONSTER

OVERALL SCORE DISTRIBUTION

Monster Score

Positive (80-100)

70%

Mixed (50-79)

27%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing all available reviews that scored and critiqued the game.

The critics generally praised Detroit: Become Human for its impressive graphics, engaging story, and well-executed character development. The game's branching plotline that emphasizes choice and consequence was also lauded by many critics, with some even calling it a "technical masterpiece" and "Quantic Dream's strongest interactive tale so far." The game's replayability was also noted, with some critics recommending multiple playthroughs to see all the possible outcomes. The performances of some of the actors, such as those of Connor and Markus, were also praised. Critics such as Press Start Australia and Yahoo! commended the game for its subtext and themes, while GamingTrend praised the game's thought-provoking exploration of AI and its potential role in the future. However, some critics pointed out the game's lack of subtlety in storytelling and reliance on quick-time events. The writing was also criticized by some, with Digitally Downloaded calling it "troublesome" and "predictable." Some critics, such as GamePro Germany and PC Gamer, noted that the game's constant use of limited gameplay minutes can become repetitive, while others, such as Video Chums, found some of the decisions unintuitive and tedious. The game's lack of sensitivity in handling certain themes was also mentioned by some critics, with PC Gamer suggesting the need for a sensitivity reader. Overall, the critics' opinions on Detroit: Become Human were mixed. While some praised the game for its technical achievements and engaging story, others criticized its lack of subtlety and reliance on cliche. Despite its flaws, many critics still recommended the game, with some even calling it a "must-play" for fans of the genre. The game's replayability and thought-provoking exploration of themes were also noted as positives. Critics such as TheSixthAxis and GamingTrend found the game to be a cinematic masterpiece, while Easy Allies and IGN Spain praised it as Quantic Dream's best game to date.

TL;DR

Critics praised Detroit: Become Human for its impressive graphics, engaging story, and well-executed character development, with some calling it a "technical masterpiece." The game's branching plotline emphasizing choice and consequence was lauded, as well as its replayability and performances of actors like Connor and Markus. However, criticism was directed at the lack of subtlety in storytelling, reliance on quick-time events, and some predictable writing. Despite mixed opinions, many critics recommended the game for its technical achievements, engaging story, and thought-provoking exploration of themes.

MONSTER

Reviews

200 reviews found

GamingTrend

PlayStation 4

May 24, 2018

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Detroit: Become Human is a cinematic masterpiece, with excellent visuals and audio direction, insightful and impactful writing and decisions, and a thought-provoking look at a potential near future for mankind and where AI might fit within it. The game encourages repeat playthroughs to see all the outcomes and rabbit holes. The occasional mip-mapping and framerate hitches are not impactful for either. The game has no major technical issues.

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Gamers Heroes

PlayStation 4

Aug 26, 2018

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Detroit: Become Human is a stellar example of storytelling in the video game space. With just one single playthrough, Detroit: Become Human will warm your heart, provoke your thoughts, and light a fire in your stomach. Detroit: Become Human makes no attempt at delivering cutting-edge gameplay. Instead it opts to immerse players in a true struggle for freedom, with characters that feel unique and fleshed out on every level.

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TheSixthAxis

PlayStation 4

May 24, 2018

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Detroit: Become Human is a technical masterpiece on PS4 with stunning graphics, movie quality sound, lighting and camera work, which is backed up by some top quality action and a wonderfully evocative score. The story is complex and emotionally involving, with great characters and superb performances. Though there are occasionally clunky moments of writing and quite a few plot holes, it's a familiar story that brings fresh perspective to a familiar tale. It's a game that will resonate with different people in different ways and is definitely worth playing.

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Press Start Australia

PlayStation 4

May 24, 2018

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Detroit: Become Human is a deeply affecting cobweb of strong characters, themes, striking imagery and subtext that are all explored and, for the most part, resolved as effortlessly as a writer and director could hope. It is a triumph for David Cage and a must-play for fans of the genre.

Twinfinite

PlayStation 4

May 24, 2018

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

The game is Quantic Dream’s most ambitious game yet, and it actually delivers on the promise of a boatload of choices and endings for players to face. The story is quite great, and the player cares to actually analyze their surroundings because that’s the only way to unlock more dialogue choices. The voice acting is fantastic, and the characters are easy to like and get attached to. The game has a bunch of different outcomes, and even the endings can play out in over 20 ways. However, sometimes the dialogue options were too vague for the player to say what they actually meant, and there isn't a better system of altogether altering the player's choices in Detroit: Become Human.

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Metro Montreal

PlayStation 4

May 30, 2018

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Detroit: Become Human is a good game that offers a unique and engaging gameplay experience. The game's story explores the repercussions of the arrival of human-like robots in our lives, and the player's choices and actions influence the story. The game's graphics and visual design are impressive, and the voice acting is well done. The game offers replay value, but the magic of the game is lost if the player goes back to correct a mistake. Overall, the game is a good entertainment and should appeal to science fiction fans and those interested in technology in general.

Cheat Code Central

PlayStation 4

May 24, 2018

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Detroit: Become Human is a game that mostly learns from Quantic Dream’s prior pitfalls. The storytelling is inconsistent, with the Connor and Markus routes being compelling and interesting, while Kara's story is stereotypical and contrived. The game offers more genuine choices, with lots of varying factors in each story, with characters doing or learning things that do impact the plot. Characters will return at different points, remembering what you have or haven’t done. Things that you have noticed open up dialogue options and story paths. Even more beneficial is a flowchart that unlocks after each segment. You can see what you did, comparing those actions to the responses of your friends and the world. It lets you see the element of choice in action, even if some segments only have one possible outcome, and know that there will definitely be major variations depending on what has occurred. The game is diverse and realistic, with people of all different skin tones and races, regardless of whether they are human or android. There are some great performances in Detroit: Become Human, but some fell short. Valorie Curry, as Kara, came across as very bland and unmemorable. Her performance struck me as robotic, which is ironic considering the push to make her seem so human in marketing materials.

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IGN Italia

PlayStation 4

May 24, 2018

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Detroit: Become Human is a successful example of the narrative-focused game genre. The story is engaging and allows for multiple possible outcomes based on the player's choices. The game's controls are simple and the new Diagram feature adds to the replayability of the game. The game's visual design is immersive and detailed. However, no information was provided about the game's sound design or technical performance.

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IGN Spain

PlayStation 4

May 24, 2018

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Detroit: Become Human is the best game from Quantic Dream to date. The game evolves the studio's signature narrative-centered adventure game by adding a high level of variability in the development of the story based on our actions and decisions, which adds intrinsic replayability to the game. The story is full of nuances and gray areas, and the world created by Quantic Dream feels believable, adding to the immersion of the game. The game has a high-quality visual design, excellent voice acting, and well-executed sound design and music. Overall, Detroit: Become Human is an excellent game that is worth playing.

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Easy Allies

PlayStation 4

May 24, 2018

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Detroit: Become Human is Quantic Dream’s strongest interactive tale so far. With complex characters and an impressive branching plot that emphasizes choice and consequence, Detroit: Become Human keeps you invested in your own story and makes you eager to see what other possibilities you might have missed.