Death Stranding

Say what you want about Death Stranding, it's easily one of the most adventurous and daring games of the decade.

It's not perfect, it's not straight to the point, it's a tad frustrating at times, but it's 100% Hideo Kojima.

Norman Reedus/10

Pure zen for some people, perhaps boring for others. Fantastic storytelling all around.

Death Stranding excels in more ways than one, while also being too obnoxious and repetitive at times. Particularly the gameplay. The loop at a certain point will become extremely annoying, you'll be praying for a perhaps future patched in fast travel system. But then again, walking through a scenic landscape while planning out your route and cargo, with Low Roar playing in the background is something else. There is so much fun to be had here. The first 20 or so hours for me were addicting. I was hooked to the cinematics and the wonderful gameplay dynamic. Always at awe looking at the world from atop a mountain. The visuals never got old. Add to that the walking mechanics themselves are so very well done. Balancing system to most might seem useless, but it adds a whole new dimension of tension into the game. You'll be constantly scanning areas and judging if you can make that leap or climb that slope. If you can cross that stream or just walk a few more meters to your nearest propped ladder or opening. While your bike climb that? Can your truck vroom over that rock. So many things to do with this simple gameplay loop, that it becomes engrossing aswell as addicting.

It's a shame to see 0-1/10 reviews by other people. A 0 or 1, heck anything below a 5 signifies an incomplete, absolutely broken and unplayable product, which Death Stranding is not. That title belongs to road of redemption or big rigs.

This might be the most polished game on the planet. There is so much fun to have here.

The narrative is intriguing and compelling. Be it a little convoluted, but its coherent nonetheless. If you keep up with the emails, the story unfolds pretty well without any hiccups. I have seen people ask questions about the story thatve already been answered via the main story and most through the emails. They explain terminologies for most words. So be sure to check your archives when you have the time.

Overall. GOTY 2019. Even after finishing the game, I want to go back to that beautiful world. Those fantastic characters, BB (special attachment I can never forget).

In a weeks time, the empty world will be populated with player built structures. So you can expect the tedious gameplay loop to become far less tedious.

The pros - the game play. I loved it and even despite it being the low point of the game to some, I really enjoyed the gameplay. I had a fun time making deliveries and traversing the world as well as the combat which is challenging but rewarding. A mini spoiler, the last few episodes of the game have boss fights - a nice inclusion. I didn't find the gameplay to ever be boring but maybe that's because I loved how original and fresh it felt. Majority of my rating goes there.

The con - the story and the length of the campaign. I'm not exactly sure what the hell I went through in a mind boggle of a story. I'm sure there is some deep meaning but I found it incredibly boring after a while. It all went on for far too long and the dialogue becomes an absolute buzz kill. There is some great performances and I really liked the main character Sam but they really stretched the story for way too long. I didn't find the story intriguing, rather I just saw it as some massive art piece that is meant for a certain crowd of people.

The game play, and the help with online structures is awesome, but the story and campaign got old for me and it's run time is a tad too long.

Death Stranding (5 out of 5 stars).

Death Stranding is a breathtaking, amazing, and is a great storytelling game from Hideo Kojima. I loved the first few Metal Gear Solid games excluding the fifth one. Death Stranding could be the start of a new franchise with its gameplay, storytelling, and incredible visuals. The game is amazing. Action fans or gamers with a short attention span may not enjoy it as much. The game does require patience cause it does have a slow moving gameplay and story for the first half of the plot. It is not a bad thing. I loved the slow building story that takes place in an apocalyptic world where civilization has collapsed. And people are living underground in a post stations. While they are cut off from the rest of everyone.

The plot follows Sam (Norman Reedus) who is a porter. A delivery guy who carries packages to other stations. Trying to reconnect the United Cities of America. Hoping they can rebuild civilization again. While he faces against BT's which are the dead from a different afterlife dimension that is trying to wreck havoc if you run into them. Or running into terrorists or bad guys known as mules. The plot is great. It does have a complex storytelling. Which may be confusing at first with a lot to take in. It is a 60 hour plus game which will eventually explain and have plenty of time to develop the story. There are surprises and twists which is emotionally satisfying. The game does have an emotional theme which you can relate to the characters.

The gameplay does require patience. The first half of the game may be repetitive with the delivery orders of going back and forth in a large open world map. Where you may have to walk and climb up mountains. Trying to avoid BTs. If you take your time. It will grow on you. I loved it. The setting and the visuals are beautifully done with the landscapes of the apocalyptic world. I also did some side orders just for fun cause I was enjoying the landscape. You have gear to help you in your travels. Weapons to help face against Bts or bad guys. While trying to maintain a heavy load cargo on your back. And there are also vehicles that can help out as well. Eventually, there will be roads built which you can contribute online to other players to build roads, bridges, or have climbing anchors set.

The cast ensemble is great. Norman Reedus, Mads Mikkelsen, Lea Seydoux, Margaret Qualley, Troy Baker, and Lindsay Wagner motion voice capture and they all did great. Evan Guillermo del Toro had his likeness in it. The soundtrack and music score is amazing and great. Definitely, made one of the best post apocalyptic games.

The controls are easy to handle. Took a little while to get used too but it was easy to grasp. The game does pick up on action. And it does get you on the edge. The climax of the game was epic. And exciting.

The visuals is breathtaking and life like. It was hard to look away from this game. I would love to see more sequels. The story did have a good conclusion.

Overall, Death Stranding is one amazing game. One great epic storytelling. Awesome fun game play. And the story does leave a lasting taste after it is over.