And its because of what it was initially criticized for: a walking sim.
Having to balance your cargo based on your weight with L2 & R2, while keeping an eye on the terrain to make sure you don't trip keeps me in the moment in a way no other open world RPG does, imo.
It makes traversal feel like an actual journey instead of just pushing forward on auto pilot.
Then there's the cinematic beat moments with music Kojima layers on top of the journey that is just the chefs kiss on the whole thing.
The first time I got to Port Knot City and made my downhill descent as the music kicked in – after hours of delivering packages, dodging BT's, fighting MULEs and dealing with the Wind Farm – it just made for this moment where it all clicked and had me completely hooked. Its hard to describe without experiencing it.
And "keep on keeping on" is now a mantra I repeat to myself that has literally helped me see some tough things through IRL.
Kojima really knows how to make his games impactful, if nothing else.
Game: Death Stranding
11 Comments
I never thought I’d get so into a walking simulator, but it was amazing.
Haven’t had such memorable journeys since the first Assassin’s Creed.
Trash game. Trash creator. Trash fans. Trash take.
Once you get used to it and start building driving routes, the game is a cake walk
I remember hijacking MULE trucks and hauling Ceramics all across the map so I can complete roads. Then later on in the game I unlocked Ziplines and I just had to make sure I had a network of it that can traverse all delivery destinations. Nothing quite matches the feeling of accomplishment when the destination on the other side ravine that you had to do a massive U-turn to cross now takes just seconds because you built the path to it. Parts of which can then be used by other people as well.
Long survival journeys in games are great. Death stranding would be so much better if it were just that and didn’t have kojima bullshit getting in the way.
My jaw dropped when I started playing this game. And it just kept happening over and over throughout (and screams)
I loved how every time you unlocked a new major destination, music would play every time. When you finally make it over the hill or mountain and see your goal from a distance, it is both epic but you also get a sense of accomplishment and determination that your goal is finally within looking distance.
You are very far from your destination my friend lol beautiful view tho!
Death stranding is definetly an aquired taste, but no other game has given me the experience that DS did. Such a beautiful and equally thrilling game.
Really looking forward to what DS2 is gonna bring us.
I loved my play through of DS. But I wouldn’t be able to play again.