How to Ensure Markus Survives in Detroit: Become Human
The narrative of Detroit: Become Human is a complex web of choices, and the fate of its characters, particularly Markus, is heavily dependent on player decisions. Markus’s journey is fraught with peril, and his death can occur in numerous ways if you’re not careful. So, how do you guarantee that Markus survives? In short, it requires a combination of successful quick-time events, specific dialogue choices, and a strategic approach to pivotal moments in the game. You must be vigilant and consistent, as one wrong move can lead to a fatal outcome. This article will guide you through critical scenarios and decisions that will ensure Markus endures to the end of the game, and follow up with a set of frequently asked questions.
Surviving Key Moments in Markus’s Story
The “Broken” Chapter: Endure the Beating
One of the earliest and most crucial moments is in the “Broken” chapter. When Leo attacks Markus, you’ll be presented with a choice: Endure the beating or Push Leo away. This is a deceptive choice; pushing Leo will result in his death and indirectly lead to Carl’s fatal heart attack. Instead, you MUST choose to Endure the beating. Letting Leo harm Markus might feel wrong, but it’s the only way to keep both Markus and Carl alive in this scenario.
Preventing Connor’s Assassination Attempt
Later in the story, when Markus is leading the android revolution, Connor will attempt to assassinate him. To stop this, you will need to be quick with your button prompts. During the speech scene, you must walk over to the panel and correctly execute the quick-time event. Doing so prevents Connor from drawing his gun and killing Markus. If you fail to do this, Connor will kill Markus immediately, effectively ending his storyline.
The Final March
Another critical point is during the final march, where Connor can once again attempt to assassinate Markus. This time, it’s contingent on Connor’s level of Software Instability. If his instability is high enough, Connor will be able to fight his programming. However, if Connor doesn’t break his programming, then once again, Connor will kill Markus on stage. The most sure way of Markus’ survival is for Connor to join Jericho.
Avoiding Betrayal
Near the end, Perkins will offer Markus a deal to end the conflict. It’s vital that you refuse this offer. Accepting it leads to Perkins betraying the androids and killing Markus.
Choosing Your Path
The other ways that Markus can die involve failing the QTE, such as in the confrontation with the soldiers protecting North. If you are injured and cannot help, or decide to run, North is killed by a soldier and Markus lives. If only Markus dies, North, Josh and Simon (if they survived) jump off the boat.
Key Decisions and Their Impact
The game subtly weaves in other choices that impact Markus’s storyline, such as what route you take during the Stratford Tower incident or how you handle negotiations with humans later.
- Stratford Tower Speech: When addressing the humans in the Stratford Tower, choosing the “Calm” options is crucial. This builds support for the android cause and ensures a peaceful, or at least less violent, outcome.
- Avoiding Unnecessary Violence: While Markus is leading the revolution, try to avoid violence whenever possible. Reducing violence increases support and the odds of survival.
How to Achieve the “Best” Ending for Markus
The “best” ending for Markus is often considered the one where he is in a romantic relationship with North at the end of the game, and has achieved liberation for his kind. This is achieved by fostering a positive relationship with North through dialogue choices and ensuring she survives critical junctures. However, what constitutes ‘best’ is subjective, and some may prefer a different outcome. What is consistent is that Markus can only succeed if he survives.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What happens if Markus dies early in the game?
If Markus dies early, the story shifts significantly. While other characters will carry on the narrative, Markus’s role will be absent. Markus’s death results in the player missing out on numerous choices and endings related to his storyline.
What is the significance of the ‘Endure’ option in the “Broken” chapter?
Choosing “Endure” when Leo attacks Markus is crucial for Markus’s survival and also ensures that Carl remains alive. Choosing to push Leo away results in the latter’s death, and Carl’s as well.
How can I prevent Connor from killing Markus during the speech?
To prevent Connor from killing Markus during the speech, you must successfully complete the quick-time event at the control panel. Failing to do this will result in Connor assassinating Markus.
Can Connor join Markus and what are the consequences?
Yes, Connor can join Markus. If he does, he will help to recruit androids at Cyberlife. If you are successful at Cyberlife, he will then rejoin Markus. However, Cyberlife will then attempt to hack Connor and force him to kill Markus. Successfully escaping the Zen Garden is paramount.
What does choosing ‘Calm’ options during the Stratford Tower speech do?
Choosing “Calm” options during the Stratford Tower speech helps build support and leads to less violent outcomes, supporting a more positive trajectory for Markus.
What happens if Markus accepts Perkins’ deal?
If Markus accepts Perkins’ deal, Perkins betrays him, resulting in Markus’s death and the death of all other androids. It is critical to refuse this offer at all costs.
How does Connor’s Software Instability impact the final scenes?
If Connor’s Software Instability is high enough, he will be able to fight his programming and prevent himself from killing Markus in the final conflict. This is important if Connor has joined Jericho.
Is it better to have Markus defend himself or not in the early conflict with Leo?
It is not better for Markus to defend himself. Allowing Leo to beat Markus results in both Markus and Carl surviving. Defending himself in this scenario results in Leo’s death and Carl dying from a heart attack.
What is RA9 and does it affect Markus?
RA9 is a concept within the game that is not clearly defined. Many theories revolve around the idea of it being a representation of Deviancy itself, or the first Deviant Android. Its connection to Markus is symbolic as a champion of deviancy, but does not directly affect his gameplay outcome.
Is it important to keep North alive for Markus’s ending?
Yes, keeping North alive is important if you want the ending where Markus and North are together in a romantic relationship. Her survival is very important to achieving this “best” outcome.
Should I let Chloe go in the main menu?
Whether you should let Chloe go in the main menu is a choice with no direct impact on Markus’s storyline. However, choosing to let her leave results in her never returning to the main menu.
What are the implications of choosing violence as Markus?
Choosing violence as Markus can lead to specific story branches and outcomes. In the final chapter, it can also require sacrificing Jerry. Choosing the peaceful route results in nobody needing to be sacrificed.
How do I get the most “positive” ending for Markus?
To get the most “positive” ending for Markus, you must aim for the romantic relationship with North, secure freedom for the androids, and ensure all of the major players that you chose to support survived the end. This requires making strategic choices throughout the game, promoting peace when possible, and not giving in to any form of treachery.
What does it mean if Markus is injured before the final battle?
If Markus is injured before the final battle, his choices are more limited. If he chooses not to fight or is too injured, it can cause the death of other characters, most critically, North.
What are the potential outcomes for Markus at the end of the game?
Markus’s outcomes range from death during the revolution to leading a free society alongside other androids, and a loving relationship with North. These outcomes are heavily dependent on your choices.