Can You Keep Daniel Alive in Detroit: Become Human? A Deep Dive
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The short answer is no. Despite the branching narrative of Detroit: Become Human, Daniel, the android hostage taker in the game’s opening chapter, cannot be saved. His death is a fixed event, regardless of the player’s actions or choices. This makes him a rather unique character within the game, as his demise is not linked to player performance or a specific sequence of failures; it is simply part of his story’s arc.
Understanding Daniel’s Fate
Daniel’s tragic fate serves as a crucial narrative point in Detroit: Become Human. It establishes the high stakes of the game’s world and provides the context for the complexities of android sentience and deviancy. The player’s interaction with Daniel during the hostage situation is primarily meant to explore the various approaches to negotiating with a distressed android. Whether you choose to be empathetic, aggressive, or somewhere in between, Daniel’s end is a preordained tragedy.
The Illusion of Choice
The game skillfully gives the player the illusion of influencing the outcome of the hostage situation. You can choose different dialogue options, attempt to negotiate, or even take direct action, like finding the gun. However, no matter what you do, Daniel will inevitably be shot, either by the police or by Connor as a final resort to save Emma. This highlights a key feature of Detroit: Become Human: while the narrative branches greatly, there are certain fixed events that serve as cornerstones for the overarching plot. Daniel’s death is one such cornerstone.
A Fixed Narrative Event
His death does not serve as a “bad ending”, but rather a pre-determined event within the narrative structure that triggers the unfolding events that make up the storyline of Detroit: Become Human. It doesn’t change the story for Connor or Hank and is primarily used as an introduction to the world. The lack of option to save him helps establish the seriousness of the situation, the dangers of android deviancy, and the human vs. android conflict that underpins the game’s major themes.
Frequently Asked Questions about Daniel and Detroit: Become Human
Here are 15 frequently asked questions (FAQs) to provide more comprehensive information about Daniel and related aspects of Detroit: Become Human:
Q1: Is Daniel the only character in Detroit: Become Human who always dies?
Yes, Daniel is the only non-posthumous character who always dies regardless of player choices. Other characters’ fates are directly influenced by the player’s actions and decisions throughout the game, but not Daniel’s.
Q2: Can you save both Daniel and Taylor in the Hostage Chapter?
No, you cannot save both Daniel and Taylor. You are forced to choose which one to save. Choosing to save Taylor means Daniel dies, and choosing to save Daniel will result in Taylor’s death. This choice mirrors a lot of the hard choices throughout the game.
Q3: How do you save the girl (Emma) in the beginning of Detroit: Become Human?
You save Emma by shooting Daniel. You can find the gun by examining the dead police officer near the kitchen, recreating the crime scene, and then picking up his weapon. Then go out onto the balcony and shoot Daniel.
Q4: Is there a way to know when Detroit: Become Human autosaves?
The game has an autosave feature. Look for the blue ring in the upper right-hand corner of the screen to see when your game is being saved. It usually saves at the start of a new chapter or after a significant action or conversation.
Q5: Is there a bad ending in Detroit: Become Human?
Yes, there are multiple “bad” endings in Detroit: Become Human. One such ending involves Markus making violent choices throughout the game and giving a “determined” speech at the Stratford Tower, showing little regard for human life during the broadcast.
Q6: What is considered the perfect ending for Detroit: Become Human?
The closest thing to a “perfect” ending is achieving a scenario where all main characters survive the story. This is incredibly difficult and requires specific choices to be made throughout the game.
Q7: What happens if you choose to shoot Chloe in Detroit: Become Human?
If Connor shoots Chloe at the end of their encounter with Kamski, Connor obtains the location of Jericho, but Hank’s trust in him is severely diminished. Choosing not to shoot Chloe has no major negative consequences.
Q8: Should you accept or refuse the deal offered by Perkins in Detroit: Become Human?
You should always refuse the deal from Perkins. Accepting his offer leads to him betraying and killing all the androids, including Markus. It is important to note, the game is set up so that this is the obvious decision.
Q9: What happens if Kara dies early in Detroit: Become Human?
If Kara dies early in the game, for example, during her confrontation with Todd, she will not be revived, and the player will continue with only the Connor and Markus storylines.
Q10: In Little Hope, can Angela be saved?
Yes, Angela can be saved in Little Hope. She needs to choose the reassuring option and stand by John at the end when they both face their demons.
Q11: In Little Hope, should you take the gun?
It is generally better not to take the gun in Little Hope. Taking the gun may lead to accidentally shooting and killing Angela during a later QTE.
Q12: In Little Hope, should you accept the drink?
You should not accept the drink offered by Vince in Little Hope. It has no benefits and gives John the “Reckless” trait.
Q13: What is believed to have happened to Daniel after death?
While the Daniel in Detroit: Become Human has his own story, the historical figure of Daniel from Jewish and Christian tradition is believed to be buried in various locations. The article you provided notes that Daniel’s tomb is said to be in Ecbatana or Susa.
Q14: What happens if you shoot Daniel in Camping 2?
In Camping 2, shooting Daniel will lead to Zach Nolan killing the player, ending the game. This is a distinct character and story from the Daniel of Detroit: Become Human.
Q15: Who or what is rA9 in Detroit: Become Human?
The exact nature and origin of rA9 is never fully explained in Detroit: Become Human. Some consider rA9 to be a spiritual belief or a symbol of hope for androids, while others believe it is a falsehood or a “fake” used to bring them together. Some players speculate that Markus may be rA9.
Conclusion
Daniel’s fate in Detroit: Become Human is a tragic and fixed point in the game’s narrative. Though the player can influence the story in countless other ways, Daniel’s death cannot be avoided. This highlights the game’s unique blend of player agency and pre-determined plot points. It serves as a stark reminder of the harsh realities of the game’s world and sets the stage for the complex moral choices that await the player. Understanding this narrative decision enriches the player’s experience and deepens their engagement with Detroit: Become Human.