Detroit: Become Human Game Tips guide screenshot

Game Tips

Game Tips for Detroit: Become Human

1. Beginner Tips

Save Often (Manual and Auto): The game has multiple autosave points, but you can manually save at checkpoints. After critical choices, use the flowchart to revisit chapters without replaying the whole game. Why it works: Branches can close off quickly; manual saves let you experiment without losing hours.

Slow Down and Explore Every Area: Environments are littered with clues, magazines, and optional interactions. Missing key evidence can lock you out of story paths or make QTEs harder later. When to use: Always, but especially when playing as Connor (investigation) and Kara (hiding/items).

Don’t Rush Dialogue Choices: The timer can be stressful, but often you can wait a few seconds for extra context or an inner thought from the android. Why it works: Some choices are irreversible; hesitation is a valid option that changes relationships.

Learn the QTE Patterns: QTEs use face buttons (Cross, Circle, Square, Triangle on PlayStation; A, B, X, Y on Xbox) and analog sticks. Memorize common combinations: for example, dodge sequences often require pressing the button shown on screen quickly. Practice in replayed chapters after an initial playthrough.

2. Exploration & Investigation

Use Connor’s Analysis Mode: When playing as Connor, press R2/RT to enter analysis mode. This highlights interactive objects, clues, and sometimes hidden evidence (e.g., yellow stains, broken parts). Why it works: It reveals crucial evidence for cases and can unlock new dialogue options or alter character fates.

Examine Everything Twice (as Kara/Markus): Regular androids don’t have analysis mode, but you can still interact with many objects. Look for environmental storytelling: a broken toy, a discarded letter, a misaligned picture frame. These often affect relationship meters (e.g., Alice’s trust) or unlock hidden lore. When to use: In every chapter, especially before leaving a location.

Eavesdrop on Conversations: NPCs often have ambient dialogue that hints at backstory or future events. Stand near them without interacting to hear their full conversation. Why it works: This can provide context for moral dilemmas (e.g., the homeless android in "The Stratford Tower" chapter).

3. Dialogue & Decision Making

Silence is a Valid Response: Many dialogue trees include a "stay silent" option. This can de-escalate tense situations (e.g., with Todd) or avoid revealing information. Why it works: Characters may interpret silence differently; sometimes it builds trust or avoids conflict. Use it when uncertain.

Time-Limited Choices Have Consequences: In high-pressure scenes, you must answer quickly. These choices often directly affect life-or-death outcomes (e.g., shooting or not at the police station). Strategy: Read the options fast but deliberately; if you can’t decide, choose the one that aligns with your android’s deviancy path.

Relationship Reputation Matters: Each main character has a relationship web (e.g., Kara & Alice, Markus & Jericho members). High trust unlocks new dialogue paths and positive outcomes; low trust can lead to betrayal or failure. How to manage: Consistently support their goals (e.g., protect Alice, lead with pacifism) to raise trust.

4. Quick Time Events (QTEs)

Prepare Your Hands: QTEs often require rapid button presses or stick rotations. Keep your thumbs on the analog sticks and index fingers over the shoulder buttons. Why it works: In fights (e.g., Markus vs. guards), you need both sticks simultaneously. Practice the rhythm by replaying early action chapters.

Hold Steady During Motion Sequences: Some QTEs require holding a direction (e.g., avoiding obstacles in a car chase). Don’t overcorrect; steady input is better than jerky movements. When to use: In any sequence where the camera is moving fast, like Kara’s highway escape or Markus’s revolution.

Don’t Panic During Countdowns: The game gives a few seconds for complex QTEs. Take a breath and press the correct sequence. Why it works: Wrong presses often lead to instant failure; calm accuracy trumps speed.

5. Character-Specific Strategies

Prioritize Alice’s Safety: Every decision should revolve around keeping Alice hidden and calm. Collect money, clothes, and shelter. Why it works: If Alice’s trust drops too low, she may run away or be captured. Check her status frequently via the menu.

Use Stealth and Hide When Necessary: Kara has no combat skills; avoid confrontations. Find hiding spots (closets, behind counters) and use them during police sweeps. Advanced tip: Memorize hiding locations in chapters like "On the Run" by replaying.

Choose a Philosophy Early: Pacifist (public demonstrations, speeches) or militant (violent attacks, sabotage). Both can achieve freedom, but they affect which characters survive. Why it works: Your choices in chapters like "Freedom March" lock you into a path; mixed strategies often lead to failure. Stick to one for a cohesive ending.

Use the Android Tracker: In Jericho, you can recruit androids for your cause. Talk to them to learn their stories; high recruitment numbers give you more options during protests. When to use: Before major missions, spend time in Jericho to strengthen your forces.

Balance Evidence and Emotion: Connor can remain a machine (prioritize mission) or become deviant (show empathy). Your choices affect his relationship with Hank. Why it works: Hank’s trust level determines if he helps you in critical moments (e.g., the rooftop finale). Build trust by connecting with him personally (drink, talk about his son).

Scan Every Clue Carefully: Missing one piece of evidence (e.g., the location of the deviant in "The Nest") can cause the case to go unsolved. Advanced tip: Use the flowchart to see which clues you missed; replay chapters to complete all investigations.

6. Replayability & Endings

Use the Flowchart Feature: After beating the game, select any chapter via the main menu. The flowchart shows every decision and its branching outcomes. How to use: To unlock alternate endings, revisit chapters and choose different paths (e.g., Markus violent vs. pacifist, or Connor killing Jericho androids).

Multiple Playthroughs Are Required for 100%: The game has thousands of permutations. To see all scenes, you need at least 3–4 thorough playthroughs: one pacifist, one violent, one with Connor staying machine, and one where Kara sacrifices herself. Efficiency: Use chapter select to branch off from a saved state instead of restarting entirely.

Trophy Hunting Tips: Many trophies require specific choices (e.g., "I’ll Be Back" – Connor dies repeatedly). Look up a guide for missable trophies and plan your route through the flowchart.

7. Advanced Optimizations

Modify Game Settings for Better QTE Performance: In the options menu, you can change subtitle sizing, camera sensitivity, and QTE difficulty (if available on PC via mods). Why it works: Easier QTEs reduce frustration on initial playthrough; harder ones add challenge for veterans.

Save Scumming for Key Scenes: Before a major choice (e.g., "Shoot the Traci" or "Spare"), manually save to two slots. After the scene, reload and pick the other option to see both outcomes without replaying the whole chapter. When to use: In chapters with binary life-or-death decisions that you want to explore fully.

Learn the Android Status System: Each android has a software instability percentage (Connor) or deviancy level (Markus/Kara). These affect dialogue options and ending possibilities. How to influence: For Connor, failing missions increases instability; for Markus, witnessing android abuse raises deviancy. Monitor these in the pause menu.

8. Economy (Resources & Items)

Money Matters for Kara: You can collect coins, cash, and valuable items throughout the city. These are used to buy clothes (to avoid detection) or bus tickets. Best practice: Search every drawer and counter in chapters like "Stormy Night" and "On the Run" to amass enough for the bus to Canada.

Evidence as Currency: For Connor, finding evidence increases his case rating. High ratings allow you to bypass certain fights or unlock new dialogue. Prioritize: In "The Interrogation," gathering all clues (like the knife) makes the deviant confess without a fight.

9. Combat (Action Sequences)

Use the Environment in Fights: As Markus during the liberation, you can throw objects, use cover, or hack turrets. Always look for interactive elements (explosive barrels, consoles). Why it works: These insta-kill enemies or change the battlefield.

Dodge Timing for Kara: When escaping police, you must dodge bullets by tapping the correct direction at the right moment. Practice the rhythm in the "Highway" chapter; it’s easier than it looks. Advanced tip: If you fail, you can still survive with a wound that affects later chapters.

10. Builds (Playstyle Paths)

The Pacifist Markus Build: Maximize public opinion by choosing non-lethal protests, singing, and sparing police. This leads to a peaceful resolution (the "Freedom March" ending). Strengths: Low casualty count, high global approval, accessible to new players. Weaknesses: Requires patience and consistent choices.

The Machine Connor Build: Stay loyal to CyberLife, complete every mission, and eliminate deviants. This unlocks special ending where Connor becomes the next leader of Jericho (if the original Markus is killed). Strengths: Clear objective, fewer ethical dilemmas. Weaknesses: Hank may despise you, losing emotional support.

The Protective Kara Build: Focus entirely on Alice’s needs: steal, lie, or sacrifice others to keep her alive. This path can lead to a happy ending in Canada or a tragic sacrifice. Key tip: Prioritize hidden routes (e.g., the bus or boat) over risky paths like the android camp.

Final Advice: Treat each playthrough as a unique story. Don’t reload after a bad outcome unless you want perfection; the game’s beauty lies in unforeseen consequences. Experiment with all options to discover the full narrative depth.