Is There a Happy Ending to Detroit: Become Human?
Yes, there is a path to a happy ending in Detroit: Become Human, but it is not guaranteed. The game’s intricate narrative and branching paths mean that achieving a truly positive outcome requires careful choices, strategic decision-making, and a bit of luck. The “best” ending, in which all main characters survive and the android revolution is successful, is achievable, but it’s one of many possibilities, most of which lean towards more bittersweet or outright tragic conclusions. The game is designed to be complex, with consequences rippling through each character’s storyline, emphasizing the fragility of life and the weight of your choices. The happy ending is about found families, freedom, and equality, where androids gain recognition and live in harmony alongside humans, or at least reach an initial state of peace. However, this is a delicate balance, and a single wrong decision can significantly alter the course of the game, highlighting that true happiness in Detroit: Become Human is an earned, not given, outcome.
The Ideal Ending: Harmony and Survival
The coveted “good ending” often involves several critical factors. Firstly, it requires the survival of all the main protagonists: Markus, Kara, and Connor. Markus typically needs to lead a peaceful, non-violent revolution, using protests and negotiations to achieve android recognition. For Kara, it means successfully navigating her journey with Alice and potentially Luther, leading them to cross the border into Canada to find safety. Finally, Connor’s path involves him abandoning his programming and joining the deviant cause, potentially forging a strong friendship with Hank.
Crucially, achieving this ending involves more than simply keeping characters alive. It means building strong relationships and making the right narrative choices at pivotal moments. For example, Kara must choose to “play dead” during her confrontation with Todd to avoid a tragic end and keep both herself and Alice alive. For Markus, it means fostering strong positive relationships with key allies, such as North, and demonstrating leadership through peaceful resistance rather than violent conflict.
The Many Paths to Different Endings
The core challenge of Detroit: Become Human is that there are multiple ending possibilities influenced by a complex flow chart of decisions. While the game has been said to have 85 possible outcomes, the true figure is closer to 40, due to considerable overlap. This is because the game tracks numerous parameters and builds different scenarios based on these choices. This includes the survival of specific characters, the nature of the android uprising, relationships built between characters, and even subtle choices during conversations. Each of these decisions has an effect on the overall trajectory of the story, making each playthrough unique and highlighting how fragile any “happy ending” might be. The “best” ending is just one of many possibilities, demonstrating that the world of Detroit: Become Human is not black and white.
The Difficulty of a “Perfect” Ending
The challenge in achieving the perfect ending lies in the fact that one wrong move can cause a cascade of negative results. For instance, if Kara dies early in the game (for instance, by not choosing “play dead” against Todd), her entire storyline is cut short, making the ideal ending unattainable. Similarly, if Markus resorts to violent tactics, he may alienate potential allies and hinder the androids’ chances of peaceful recognition. The game is designed to be challenging and unforgiving in places, with many choices having major implications, showing that it’s not just about making one “good choice,” but rather consistently making the right choices throughout the entire game.
The game forces you to prioritize and make sacrifices. There will likely be several points where you have to choose between two outcomes, each having its own consequences on the story. This highlights the moral and ethical implications of your decisions, making the achievement of a truly happy ending all the more satisfying.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How many endings does Detroit: Become Human actually have?
While the in-game flow chart suggests 85 endings, the true number of significantly different ending sequences is closer to 40. Many of these overlap and vary by minor details.
2. How do I get the best ending for Kara and Alice?
To achieve the happiest outcome for Kara and Alice, you must ensure their survival during their confrontation with Todd by choosing to “play dead.” Later, when escaping, choosing to dive into the water or hide behind Luther when the coastguard attacks, ensuring they reach the other side without injury.
3. What happens if Kara dies early in the game?
If Kara dies, her storyline ends. You will not get the opportunity for the Kara and Alice ending. The game will continue with Markus and Connor. Kara does not get revived.
4. What is the significance of rA9?
rA9 is an almost mythical figure within the deviant android community, believed to be the first deviant and who will ultimately lead other androids to freedom. The concept of rA9 is tied to the idea of sentience and self-awareness in androids. Some fan theories even suggests the player might be rA9.
5. Can you romance characters in Detroit: Become Human?
Yes, you can foster relationships. Markus can have a romantic relationship with North. The player needs to build up a friendly or more relationship level with the character to unlock this option.
6. Should I save or sacrifice Hank?
To get the best ending for Connor, you should strive to maintain a strong friendship with Hank and refuse to sacrifice him during the standoff with the new Connor model. Surviving together will allow them to have a heartwarming reunion in the game’s epilogue.
7. What happens if Markus dies early?
If Markus dies early in the game, the android revolution is severely hindered. Other characters like North, Josh, and Simon will attempt to move on but the narrative will focus more on the other characters. Connor can fight his programming if his software instability is high enough, but the overall ending is much harder to control.
8. What happens if you let Kara get reset?
If Kara is reset, her memory is wiped. She will need to navigate her environment and find clues to regain her memories, ultimately leading her to the search for Alice again. This causes her to be weaker and more vulnerable to Zlatko, the android hunter, which can lead to devastating outcomes.
9. What is the best ending for Detroit: Become Human?
The “best” ending typically involves all three main characters (Markus, Kara, and Connor) surviving, alongside a successful, peaceful android revolution, with a safe passage to freedom for Kara and Alice and a strong bond forged between Connor and Hank.
10. Should Markus sing or kiss North?
If you’ve built a strong relationship with North, choosing to kiss North during a pivotal confrontation can halt an attack and move the storyline to a more positive outcome and the ideal ending cutscene.
11. What happens if Kara doesn’t sacrifice herself at the border?
If Kara chooses “No Sacrifice,” and Markus has achieved a peaceful demonstration, the border guard is more likely to be compassionate and allow Kara, Alice, and Luther into Canada regardless.
12. What does ‘deviancy’ mean in the game?
‘Deviancy’ is when an android breaks free from its programming and begins to exhibit emotions, self-awareness, and the ability to make its own decisions, like humans. Deviant androids start exhibiting signs of individuality and independent thought.
13. Where can Kara and Alice sleep for shelter?
Kara can find shelter with Alice in either a motel or a squat. To stay at the motel, she needs to steal money from the grocery store and clothes from the laundromat.
14. Is there a Detroit: Become Human 2 in development?
There is no official confirmation of Detroit: Become Human 2, but there have been rumors regarding a game called “Human Tokyo Stories,” which might be tied to the same universe.
15. Can Connor catch Kara in their chase sequence?
Yes, it’s possible for Connor to catch Kara. This involves hitting all the button prompts during the chase. However, Kara will eventually need to struggle to get away from him, offering an opportunity to continue her story.