[E3 2016] Quantic Dream’s Detroit: Become Human Has Strong Emphasis on Choice

When it comes to heavily narrative driven gaming experiences, few can match those provided by Quantic Dream. With their PS3-era releases of Beyond: Two Souls and Heavy Rain behind them, the company are working on something completely new as they develop exclusively for the PlayStation 4. During PlayStation’s E3 2016 press conference earlier today, gamers received their first really good glimpse at what gameplay in Detroit: Become Human could be like. You can watch the preview in its entirety above.

Detroit has been described by Quantic Dream writer/director David Cage as a “neo-noir thriller set in the near-future city of Detroit”. Following on from the emotional tech demo “Kara” which was released in 2012, this is a civilisation where humanoid androids have been intergrated into society. But something begins to go wrong with androids. While some simply vanish, others begin expressing emotion and other unexpected behaviours.

This preview introduces Connor, who is the second playable character in Detroit: Become Human. He is an advanced android who works alongside police forces in cases involving “deviant” androids. While cold and analytical, he is determined and capable at tackling missions put towards him. The video focuses on one such case, where a deviant android takes a little girl hostage, and Connor must defuse the situation. With players required to determine the actions of Connor – they could successfully rescue the young girl, or see her fall off the top of a building.

According to Cage:

Detroit is about playing the story. Through your actions and decisions you drive the story and face the consequences of your choices. You are in charge of the fate of these characters. You will become a “co-writer” who will have to make critical decisions that will impact the entire story and its world.

Of course, while you may co-write the story, you might not be able to directly control whether the option you took will lead to a happy or sad ending. Like Heavy Rain it will be possible for some or all of your characters to die – and the story will continue if they have died.

I love narrative-driven stories, and personally have high expectations for Detroit: Become Human. Being developed for the PlayStation 4 by Quantic Dream, no release date or launch window has currently been locked in for Detroit: Become Human.

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