Quick answer
If you prefer a focused, supernatural character study with Hollywood talent, start with Beyond: Two Souls. If you want a sprawling, branching sci-fi epic about android rights with multiple protagonists, begin with Detroit: Become Human. Both are standalone stories, so order doesn't affect plot, but your tolerance for linear vs. branching narrative will guide your choice.
Detroit: Become Human
Story and Character Focus
Beyond: Two Souls puts you in the shoes of Jodie Holmes, a woman with a lifelong connection to a mysterious entity called Aiden. The story jumps across her life, from childhood experiments to covert missions, and is anchored by performances from Elliot Page and Willem Dafoe. It's a deeply personal, emotional journey where your choices shape Jodie's relationships and fate, but the core narrative arc remains largely fixed.
Detroit: Become Human takes a broader approach. You control three androids—Kara, Connor, and Markus—each with their own storyline that can diverge dramatically based on your decisions. The game explores themes of consciousness, freedom, and prejudice in a near-future Detroit. Its branching narrative means playthroughs can be vastly different, and characters can live or die based on your actions.
Gameplay and Interactivity
Both games are interactive dramas where you make dialogue choices and perform quick-time events. Beyond: Two Souls adds a unique twist: you can control Aiden separately, allowing you to interact with the environment, possess people, or cause chaos. This dual-control mechanic is central to puzzles and stealth sections.
Detroit: Become Human refines the formula with more complex branching paths, a flowchart system to track your choices, and a greater emphasis on exploration. You can inspect environments, find clues, and unlock new dialogue options. The game also includes more varied gameplay segments, such as stealth, chase sequences, and even a few action-oriented scenes.
Trade-offs at a Glance
- Narrative Structure: Beyond: Two Souls is a mostly linear story with branching moments. Detroit: Become Human offers a highly branching narrative with many possible endings. Choose Beyond for a focused story; choose Detroit for replayability and player-driven outcomes.
- Character Depth vs. Scope: Beyond focuses on a single protagonist across her entire life. Detroit juggles three protagonists, each with their own arc. If you prefer deep character study, go with Beyond. If you want a wider world and multiple perspectives, Detroit is better.
- Gameplay Variety: Beyond features a unique dual-control mechanic with Aiden. Detroit offers more traditional exploration, puzzle-solving, and action sequences. Beyond's Aiden controls are novel but can feel clunky. Detroit's gameplay is more polished and varied.
Game Facts
- Beyond: Two Souls: Beyond: Two Souls is a unique psychological action thriller delivered by A-list Hollywood performances by Elliot Page and Willem Dafoe, taking you on a thrilling journey across the globe as you play out the remarkable life of Jodie Holmes, born with a connection to a mysterious entity with incredible powers. If you value strong acting and a tightly focused story, this game delivers a cinematic experience with a supernatural twist.
- Detroit: Become Human Original Soundtrack Volume 3: Detroit: Become Human Original Soundtrack Volume 3 features music by three composers—John Paesano, Philip Sheppard, and Nima Fakhara—each capturing the personality of a main character: Markus' determination, Kara's fighting spirit, and Connor's cold, clinical nature. The soundtrack is a direct reflection of the game's three-perspective narrative. Each composer's style reinforces the distinct emotional tone of each character's journey.
Which Game Fits You?
Best for
- Players who want a character-driven, emotional story with Hollywood acting and a supernatural twist
- Fans of linear interactive dramas who prefer a single, cohesive narrative
Not for
- Players who want a highly branching, replayable game with many different outcomes
- Those who prefer a sci-fi epic with multiple protagonists and a wide scope
