How Connor Saved Detroit: Become Human

This article contains spoilers for  Detroit: Become Human.

Detroit: Become Human has been out for about 5 days now and it has been positively received by multiple gamers and critics. Many citing the game's stale gameplay but praising the branching narrative. Offering a variety of paths that shifts the story base on the player's actions, allowing you to craft your own narrative. However, despite the story cast and excellent soundtrack, it's Connor who stands out as not only the best character but Detroit: Become Human's savior.

The opening scene for each of the 3 protagonist offers insight into how they end up in their uncertain situations, with the following events building on it. Kara becomes Alice's protector and attempts to keep her safe while Markus leads a revolution either through peaceful or violent means. Connor's story isn't as streamlined but much more complicated. Attempting to fight between who he is, what he is, and what does he want.

Kara's story does offer branching paths but for the most part, focuses on her role as protector. Saving Alice, providing for her, and attempting to be a good mother. You can choose to be stoic but most of the time it feels forced, as something Kara would never do. Instead, many of the failures are centered on Kara failing to protect Alice or getting killed because of it.

Markus' journey is similarily focused. You can choose to be peaceful or violent but you're always leading a revolution. How it succeeds or fails is up to you but the journey is relatively the same since the goal doesn't change.

Connor's adventure is much different, as he must choose between being a machine or a deviant. Since this path is much more fickle it leads to a lot of variables such as your relationship with Hank, Kara, Markus and Amanda based how you treat other androids and Connor's individual decisions. Unlike Markus and Kara Connor can change at a moments notice, choosing to act a deviant or to succumb to his programming or failing his mission regardless of which path is taken.

Unlike Kara and Markus, Connor's personality is more intricate. Kara can be distinct towards Alice but acts mostly the same and Markus can be ruthless or peaceful with little variation between the two. Connor is in a constant battle if you choose to do so, with being a deviant or an obedient android. This battle within allows for more unpredictable actions and outcomes such as Hank almost shooting Connor or Amanda losing faith in Connor's abilities. That sense of betrayal, loyalty, and even compassion is constantly in flux, unlike Kara or Markus who can simply die because they choose wrong or didn't save the right person.

Connor's dynamic campaign and personal battles, complemented with his mission, offers a lot more variety than Markus and Kara. Looking back at Kara and Markus' stories they're pretty stale in comparison. Connor offers the right mixture of action and narrative that is further amplified thanks to Detroit: Become Human's branching paths. Markus will fight for his people, Kara will fight for Alice, but Connor fights for his identity and depending on what you choose this will impact everyone. Without Connor Detroit: Become Human's would be a far less entertaining game.

Adam Siddiqui, NoobFeed
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