What Happens When Connor Gets Shot in Detroit: Become Human?

In the gripping narrative of Detroit: Become Human, the android protagonist Connor, a cutting-edge RK800 model designed to hunt deviants, experiences death quite differently from his human counterparts and the other android protagonists. Unlike Kara and Markus, Connor doesn’t face permanent death from a single gunshot. When Connor is shot, he doesn’t simply perish; instead, he is essentially deactivated and then re-instantiated, with his memories largely intact. This unique mechanic significantly influences his story arc and the potential outcomes of the game. Each time Connor “dies,” he’s effectively sent back to CyberLife, where his consciousness is downloaded into a new body. This allows him to continue his mission, albeit sometimes with notable consequences stemming from his previous actions.

The immediate effects of being shot as Connor vary slightly based on the context. If you are shot during the interrogation scene early in the game, you can later access the room where you were shot in subsequent chapters. Using your android vision, you can observe traces of blue blood, a visual reminder of your previous termination. However, the key takeaway is that being shot does not stop Connor’s mission entirely. It’s a temporary setback that highlights his status as a replaceable, albeit highly advanced, piece of technology. This is a fundamental element of his character development, as his repeated “deaths” and subsequent returns eventually challenge his core programming and his understanding of his existence.

Connor’s “Deaths” and Their Impact

Connor’s resurrections, though enabling him to persist, come with their own set of consequences. He doesn’t experience the same emotional depth of loss that a human character would, yet, his experiences do leave an imprint on his software instability and overall story progression. Repeated deaths can contribute to his pathway towards becoming a deviant, because each death and subsequent re-instantiation forces him to confront his nature and purpose. Here are a few examples where death influences Connor:

Software Instability

When a deviant Connor dies in Night of the Soul and is then re-instantiated as a machine in Battle for Detroit, the software instability status in the flowchart will still show him as “Deviant.” This anomaly doesn’t occur if a deviant Connor dies in Crossroads. This indicates that some of Connor’s memories and deviancy status are preserved, highlighting the complex nature of his software.

The Impact of Hank’s Actions

One of the most significant relationships in Connor’s story is with Lieutenant Hank Anderson. If Hank becomes hostile towards Connor, he will not hesitate to shoot him. This scenario is not just a simple “game over”; it unlocks a trophy during the flowchart screen, emphasizing that this is a notable, albeit temporary, end to his storyline at that point. The dynamic between Connor and Hank is central to Connor’s potential deviancy, as their relationship influences his choices and his ultimate path. The game provides several opportunities to avoid this outcome by making particular dialogue choices, ensuring that the player must actively work to forge a good relationship with Hank.

Mission Failure and Shutdown

If Connor fails in his mission repeatedly, particularly in finding clues at a crime scene or progressing his investigation, it could lead to Amanda permanently shutting Connor down, resulting in a true, permanent death. This is distinct from the other types of deaths Connor experiences, as it isn’t a simple restart. This outcome reinforces that while Connor is built for multiple lives, he isn’t invincible or without limitations imposed by CyberLife. This “permanent” shutdown is a consequence of prolonged underperformance, and adds a high-stakes element to the gameplay.

The Implications of Connor’s Resurrections

Connor’s ability to return from death is a central theme, directly confronting the idea of life and consciousness. Each death is an opportunity for him to learn and adapt, which significantly alters his character and progression in the game.

Unlocking Different Story Paths

The game allows the players to shape Connor’s narrative through various choices. His deaths, his interactions with Hank, and the decisions he makes about deviancy ultimately lead to a myriad of different endings. The way he interacts with both humans and androids and how he completes or fails his missions directly affects his final destiny. This aspect makes each playthrough unique, and gives the game replayability.

Exploring the Nature of Life and Consciousness

Throughout the game, Connor’s unique position forces both the player and himself to consider: What is life? What is consciousness? What does it mean to be human? These are philosophical questions that the game forces to consider by making Connor be the way he is, and by creating such an interesting narrative arc. His repeated deaths, coupled with his evolution, provide a compelling exploration of these themes, making Detroit: Become Human much more than a typical action-adventure game.

Frequently Asked Questions About Connor’s “Deaths”

Here are some common questions players ask about what happens when Connor is shot, further clarifying the game mechanics and consequences:

1. Can Connor die permanently in Detroit: Become Human? Yes, if Amanda deactivates Connor due to repeated mission failures, it’s a permanent death.
2. What happens if Hank shoots Connor? Hank shooting Connor will result in Connor’s temporary deactivation and a trophy unlock.
3. How can I prevent Hank from shooting Connor? Choose Neutral response, then Truth, then YES, and finally, NOTHING in the dialogue options when Hank is confrontational.
4. Does Connor retain his memories after being shot? Yes, Connor largely retains his memories after being reactivated.
5. Can Connor become a deviant? Yes, through his experiences, deaths, and choices, Connor can deviate from his programming.
6. What happens if Connor deviates but dies? If a Deviant Connor dies in Night of the Soul and is reactivated as a machine, he will still be shown as “Deviant” on the flowchart, but this does not apply to Crossroads.
7. What happens if Connor fails to find Jericho? Repeated failures in finding Jericho may contribute to Amanda permanently shutting him down.
8. Does Connor’s death affect the other protagonists? No, Kara and Markus’ stories will continue, irrespective of Connor’s deaths.
9. What happens if Connor shoots Chloe? Kamski will reveal Jericho’s location, but Hank’s trust will drastically decrease.
10. Is there a “good ending” for Connor? Yes, becoming friends with Hank and choosing deviancy will often lead to a more positive ending for Connor.
11. Is it important to find all the clues as Connor? Finding clues is essential for the story’s progression and is the key to preventing Amanda from shutting down Connor.
12. What happens if Connor is deactivated? Connor gets sent back to Cyberlife, where a new body is created and his memory is installed.
13. What is the “secret ending” for Detroit: Become Human? For the secret ending, Markus must get killed by the police, and Connor must not be able to find Jericho, resulting in his deactivation.
14. How does Connor’s relationship with Hank affect his story? Connor’s relationship with Hank is a crucial factor for Connor’s ultimate path. Making friends with Hank influences him towards deviancy and overall success.
15. Does Connor have a different storyline if he’s hostile with Hank? Yes, he will have a different storyline in which he cannot obtain the best ending and also will have more interactions as an antagonist.

In conclusion, Connor’s deaths in Detroit: Become Human are not simply game overs. They are a part of his character arc, driving his development and influencing his relationships. Through his unique existence, Detroit: Become Human challenges players to explore complex themes about life, consciousness, and what it means to be alive, making it a truly memorable gaming experience.