Hyped or Afraid: Detroit Become Human

Let’s be honest, I’m genuinely afraid FOR this game. I’m super hyped for the release and already have my copy pre-ordered. What scares me is that it may not sell as many units needed so that Quantic Dream and David Cage can continue developing amazingly interactive games. I want this game to succeed. I’m telling everyone I know with a PS4 to put faith into a different type of game. Cage’s games have always been unique. He has these amazing stories trapped in his head and lets us experience them through consoles. These stories have great characters, amazing set pieces and insane twists and turns. Cage is the M. Knight Shyamalan of the video game world. Play through Indigo Prophecy in its entirety and you’ll understand what I mean. The success or failure of this title may have a lasting impact on games, developers and the industry.

When was the last time that you finished a game and thought that this was an experience you thought you would never have and most likely never have again? Heavy Rain, Destroy All Humans, and Parasite Eve are the titles that pop into my mind. Heavy Rain had the great overarching story that involved unique and interesting protagonists. Any decision that you had them make could change the end of the game.

Parasite Eve is a dead franchise. The first sequel resembled nothing from the first game. And I don’t even know what they were thinking when the made The 3rd Birthday. Destroy All Humans is also deceased. The first two games in the series were great. But the Wii and Xbox 360 versions of the game were atrocious. Originality in games is slowly dying.  And with every original game that fails we get closer and closer to a world of only generic “man shooters.” That is a world I do not want to live in.

What has me excited enough to pre-order this game is the fact that in my opinion Quantic Dream has an amazing track record. I finished up Indigo Prophecy recently due to anticipation for Detroit Almost Human. And I wasn’t disappointed in the least. In 2012 I beat Heavy Rain and I plan to replay it on my PS4 as soon as I get through Beyond: Two Souls.

I can’t tout enough about how amazing Heavy Rain was. Playing through all those different characters eyes as you attempt to find young Jason before he becomes another victim of the Origami Killer. Searching for Jason as Ethan, the boy’s father, was a mind opening experience; I cannot imagine not knowing the fate of a loved one. The tough situations that Ethan is put through and how you handle them with him really blew my mind. Cage can pen an amazing tale and keep you on the edge of your seat as you grip your controller so tight your knuckles turn white.

Detroit: Almost Human looks like it is going to be another white-knuckle ride for fans of Quantic Dream games. Just seeing that demo hooked me, the multiple decisions you have to make, the detective work you do before you confront the rogue android, the graphics and the multiple endings that your perfect or crappy decisions can make. I’m excited to play as the three protagonists in this game. But I’m most looking forward to playing the police android. I love detecting seeing that Batman and Sherlock Holmes are my biggest fictional heroes! The more I get to the detect, the happier I am. That’s why I liked Batman: The Enemy Within so much. And I hope to love Detroit: Become Human just as much!

I really hope that Detroit is a success, both critically and financially. I want David Cage to make more games. And I want developers to know that taking a chance isn’t as bad as it seems. You don’t need to pump out the same tripe for the masses every year. Originality and single player stories are actually welcome by both hardcore and casual gamers.

Not every game NEEDS a multiplayer mode and not every game has to have co-op of some sort. God of War and The Witcher 3 prove that a great narrative can lead to amazing sales. Developers need to remember that and not go the route of Black Ops IV, a game I won’t be buying it due to the fact there will be no campaign. I’ve pre-ordered this title. I urge others too as well to keep the single-player narrative alive and well in this console generation.