Introduction
Detroit: Become Human, developed by Quantic Dream, is a narrative-driven adventure that immerses players in a near-future Detroit where androids are on the brink of consciousness. You control three protagonists—Kara, Connor, and Markus—each with their own storylines, relationships, and fates. The game’s hallmark is its intricate web of choices, leading to dozens of possible endings. If you’re aiming to unlock every outcome, this comprehensive guide will help you navigate the branching paths, understand key decisions, and maximize your replay value.
How Endings Work in Detroit: Become Human
Detroit: Become Human’s endings are determined by a combination of factors:
- Character Survival: Whether Kara, Connor, and Markus live or die.
- Revolution Outcome: The android revolution’s success or failure, and whether it’s peaceful or violent.
- Relationships: Interactions with supporting characters like Hank, North, Alice, and Luther.
- Key Choices: Major decisions at pivotal moments, often tracked in the in-game flowchart.
The game’s flowchart system is your roadmap, visually representing every decision and its consequences. For a deeper dive into flowchart mechanics, check out the Detroit: Become Human Wiki.
Main Characters and Their Endings
Kara: The Protector
Kara’s journey is about escaping with Alice and, potentially, Luther. Her endings include:
- Escape to Canada: Successfully crossing the border with Alice (and Luther).
- Death: Kara, Alice, or both can die at various points (e.g., Todd’s house, Zlatko’s mansion, highway, recycling center, or river crossing).
- Capture: Being caught and sent to a recycling center, with possible escape or tragic outcomes.
- Abandonment: Kara can, in rare paths, abandon Alice.
Key Decisions:
- “Stormy Night”: Save Alice from Todd.
- “On the Run”: Trust Luther, steal, or seek shelter.
- “Midnight Train”: Evade or get caught by police.
- “Crossroads” and “Battle for Detroit”: Sacrifice choices, escape routes, and QTE performance.
Connor: The Deviant Hunter
Connor’s arc revolves around his struggle between remaining a machine or becoming deviant, and his relationship with Hank.
- Remains a Machine: Follows CyberLife’s orders, may hunt down Markus or fail and be decommissioned.
- Becomes Deviant: Breaks programming, joins Markus, and can lead the revolution if Markus dies.
- Survival or Death: Can die in multiple ways, or survive to see android freedom.
- Hank’s Fate: Hank can live, die, or become estranged.
Key Decisions:
- “The Hostage”: Save or fail to save the girl.
- “Public Enemy”: Shoot or spare the deviant.
- “Last Chance, Connor”: Become deviant or stay a machine.
- “CyberLife Tower”: Confrontation with another Connor.
- “Battle for Detroit”: Help or stop Markus.
Markus: The Revolutionary Leader
Markus leads the android revolution, with his choices shaping the movement’s nature and outcome.
- Peaceful Revolution: Lead non-violent protests, potentially gaining public support and android rights.
- Violent Revolution: Use force, possibly resulting in a successful but bloody uprising or total defeat.
- Death or Survival: Markus can die at several points, with North potentially taking over.
- Relationship with North: Can be romantic or professional, influencing some outcomes.
Key Decisions:
- “From the Dead” & “Broken”: Survive and establish leadership.
- “The Stratford Tower”: Choose peaceful or violent messaging.
- “Crossroads”: Sacrifice decisions and leadership style.
- “Battle for Detroit”: Demonstration, attack, or negotiation.
Major Crossroads and Their Impact
Certain chapters have outsized influence on the story’s direction:
- “The Hostage” (Connor): Sets the tone for Connor’s arc.
- “Stormy Night” (Kara): Determines if Kara’s story continues.
- “From the Dead” & “Broken” (Markus): Establishes Markus’s leadership.
- “The Stratford Tower” (Markus): Impacts public opinion.
- “Public Enemy” (Connor): Moves Connor closer to or further from deviancy.
- “Midnight Train” (Kara): Alters Kara’s escape path.
- “Crossroads” (All): All three stories converge; major branching.
- “Battle for Detroit” (All): The finale, with multiple variations based on prior choices.
Strategies for Unlocking All Endings
Unlocking every ending requires patience, experimentation, and methodical play:
- Play Multiple Times: Each playthrough should focus on different overarching choices (e.g., peaceful vs. violent revolution).
- Use the Flowchart: After each chapter, review the flowchart to identify unexplored branches and plan future runs.
- Save Management: Use manual saves before major decisions to explore different outcomes, but note the game’s auto-save system is designed to make choices meaningful.
- Experiment with QTEs: Sometimes intentionally failing QTEs unlocks unique paths.
- Focus on Character-Specific Endings: Try “everyone survives” and “everyone dies” runs, as well as individual “worst” endings (e.g., Kara abandoning Alice).
- Consult Online Resources: The Detroit: Become Human Wiki, IGN’s guide, and YouTube playthroughs are invaluable.
Noteworthy & Tricky Endings
Some endings are particularly challenging or unique:
- The “Kamski Ending”: Connor fails to find Jericho and remains a machine, with Kamski retaking control.
- Connor Decommissioned Early: Consistently fail as Connor to be deactivated by Amanda.
- Kara and Alice Die at Todd’s House: Fail to protect Alice in “Stormy Night.”
- Kara Abandons Alice: Possible if captured and choosing self-preservation.
- Markus Kicked Out of Jericho: Make unpopular decisions as Markus.
- Markus Accepts Perkins’ Deal: Leads to negative outcomes for androids.
- North Leads a Failed Revolution: If Markus dies and North’s violent approach fails.
- Connor vs. Connor: Machine vs. deviant Connor confrontation at CyberLife Tower.
- Perfect Canadian Border Crossing: Requires specific choices and high public opinion.
- Recycling Center Escape: Get Kara, Alice, and Luther out alive with careful choices.
Achievement Hunting
For trophy and achievement completionists:
- I’ll Be Back: Die with Connor in every possible way.
- Survivors: Have all main characters survive.
- Bookworm: Collect all magazines.
For more on achievements, see the PSN Profiles list.
Tips for Completionists
- Track Progress: Use the in-game flowcharts to monitor which branches you’ve completed.
- Watch Others: Let’s Plays and walkthroughs can help you spot missed paths.
- Don’t Fear “Bad” Choices: Some endings require tragic or suboptimal decisions.
- Replay Chapters: Use chapter select to revisit key moments and try new choices.
If you enjoy exploring multiple endings in narrative games, you might also be interested in unlocking all endings in Cyberpunk 2077, Until Dawn, or Fire Emblem: Three Houses.
Conclusion
Unlocking all endings in Detroit: Become Human is a rewarding challenge that showcases the depth of the game’s narrative design. By carefully navigating choices, replaying chapters, and consulting flowcharts, you can experience every possible outcome. Remember, there’s no “correct” ending—each path offers a unique perspective on the game’s central questions about consciousness, freedom, and humanity.
Happy exploring, and may your choices lead you to every ending!