People who are not into video games often dismiss them, saying things like “Games don’t pertain to real life. They are only what they were named. Games.”

Not all games are that simple. Some games can teach us valuable lessons about life and the nature of society.

Detroit: Become Human, a game that brings the concept of advanced technology and futuristic androids to life, is one of those games.

When I play or watch other people play games, I take notice of themes in the game and “read between the lines,” hoping to find clues or see a deeper meaning.

Detroit: Become Human contains a lot of lessons that cause me, for one, to change my opinion on our world and its events. 

In the game the character Markus says, “An eye for an eye and the world goes blind.”

When I first heard this, I thought of how many people get hurt, and as a result, they hurt others back. Pain becomes a huge factor of a lot of people’s lives simply because they get hurt and then take it out on those around them. After a while, they become blind to what they are doing.

It is sad to see, but it is also something that happens all too often.

Another thing Markus says that elaborates on that is, “We won’t punish a crime with another crime.” This simply means that they do not feel it is right to do wrong to someone who did the same to them. More quotes are scattered throughout the game that shows parts of our lives today, though.

If you gain one of the best endings possible, Markus makes a speech to all other androids, saying, “The time has come for us to raise our heads up, and tell humans who we really are. We must make them our partners. Maybe even one day our friends. But the time for anger is over. Now we must build a common future. We are alive! And now, we are free!”

I won’t lie, this part got me emotional. After the huge fight, Markus gives that speech. It shows that when the fighting was finally over, they finally got the freedom they deserved.

Today, humans are the exact same way. Constantly scrambling for the spoils of daily life, we only get glimpses of true freedom. We fight constantly to break the metaphorical chains of life in order to live freely out of our cages. Nevertheless, many times we can never reach that goal. We are normally stuck in the dark, never to see what we can earn. Like a caged bird, we are unable to take flight if we never free ourselves. 

The game also gives character moments that reminds us that our choices do, in fact, affect our future and people around us. For example, when Connor and Hank leave the Kamski place, Hank and Connor have a serious conversation:

“Hank: Why didn’t you shoot?

Connor: I just saw that girl’s eyes…and I couldn’t, that’s all…

Hank: You’re always saying you would do anything to accomplish your mission. That was our chance to learn something, and you let it go…

Connor: Yeah, I know What I should’ve done! I told you I couldn’t. I’m sorry, okay?

Hank: Maybe you did the right thing.” 

Sadly, this part can change depending on the route you take, but in this case, just think about what is said. Despite Connor needing to complete his mission, he thinks first about how the other feels. How empathy works.

The world needs to take note of some things from this game, because if they do, they may be better off.