Gameplay unlike any others
Death Stranding is a third-person
perspective action game, where the player controls their character in an open
world environment. The protagonist, Sam, is a deliveryman, transporting various
cargo across the post-apocalyptic landscapes of the USA, earning money and
reputation for his job as a deliveryman.
Delivering transports is an
essential part of gameplay mechanics. The player has to consider several
factors before making a run to his destination. For example, the weight and
packaging of the cargo might influence Sam’s navigation of the area. After a successful
run, Sam’s performance is evaluated and points awarded for the completion of
the task can be spent on upgrading statistics, like the amount of weight the
character can carry or the stability of the cargo.
By delivering cargo to various
cities on the map, Sam expands the Chiral Network, which provides the means of
contact across vast territories. Expanding the Chiral Network gives the player
access to maps and blueprints, with which they can create useful structures,
like bridges and generators. The Network is also the basis for the online
functionality featured in DS. The
Network allows players to interact with each other within the game world.
Fight. Die. Repeat.
Death Stranding features
intriguing fighting mechanics. The main enemies of the game are bandits of the
MULE group and BTs – “beached things”, creatures visible only to some. These
creatures cause the bodies of their victims to explode, creating “Voidouts”.
Sam is a person known as “Repatriate”: upon death, he can return to life by swimming
from the Beach – a place on the edge of life and death.
The combat mechanics in DS are
similar to those in other TPP games. The player has an arsenal of different
types of weapons at their disposal, from handguns to a rocket launcher. A
special weapon called Anti-BT gun can also be used. This non-lethal handgun
draws blood from special packs and uses it as ammunition to paralyze the
beached things. If Sam doesn’t have any blood packs left, the gun will draw
blood from his body. The player can also use grenades and melee weapons.
Story of a savior
The story takes place in the
post-apocalyptic United States of America. Due to the emergence of BTs, the
human population has been decimated. The survivors live in colonies known as
KNOTs, with the wastelands between them controlled by MULE, a band of thieves
and murderers. Only Porters, equipped with Bridge Babies and armed to the
teeth, are able to travel between the KNOTs, delivering supplies and performing
other odd jobs.
One of such porters is Sam,
working for the Bridges company, belonging to his family. Sam Porter Bridges
(Norman Reedus) is tasked by his dying mother to help restore the civilization
in the US. Reluctantly, Sam agrees, and together with BB-28, a Bridge Baby, he
embarks on a supply run to connect all the scattered colonies within one
network, planting the seed for the rebirth of the old world. Along the way, he
will encounter various people, friends old and new, as well as Clifford (Mads
Mikkelsen), a man with whom he will create an adversarial relationship.
Reception
Death Stranding was received
favorably by the critics. Reviewers praised the story of the game, the
performances of actors portraying the characters – with special mentions of
Reedus, Mikkelsen and Lea Seydoux, as well as the unsettling soundtrack of the
game. Writing of the mechanics, critics noted the innovative mechanics and
gameplay features, which separated DS from other games currently available on
the market. All in all, Hideo Kojima’s
opus was considered a worthy piece in his artistic portfolio.
Key features
Enter the world of Hideo Kojima’s
new great production! Death Stranding brings to the table everything you’d
expect from the creator of the Metal Gear Series
Explore the wastelands of
post-apocalyptic America! The game’s open-world environment allows free exploration
of the desolate ruins of the United States
Join Sam Porter on his mission to
save the world! Sam, a deliveryman, is tasked with making supply runs that
would see the broken colonies reconnected
Discover the truth behind the
Beach! The place on the edge of life, from which only a few have ever returned
Fight monstrous BTs and thieving
bandits! Use the arsenal of weapons to fend off anyone trying to stop you on
your mission
Make supply runs to gain
experience and reputation! Deliver cargo to improve your statistics and level
up the protagonist
Communicate with other players!
Build constructions and leave messages and supplies for other gamers.
