Death Stranding: Absolutely Worth the Wait, Hideo Kojima At His Best

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

When I first got to take a look at the trailer for Death Stranding, I was truly intrigued. With Norman Reedus as the protagonist and Hideo Kojima at the helm, the reveal was truly staggering. Nothing seemed to make sense, right in line with what you would expect from a Hideo Kojima game. However, after playing the game after its release, my experience has been truly amazing.

Coming from the guy behind Metal Gear, Hideo Kojima’s latest production is an absolutely unique experience. The first entry from Kojima’s very own Kojima Productions with complete backing from Sony, the game manages to make a unique mark without failing to surprise us. The first thing that I noticed in the experience with the truly unique Hideo Kojima aesthetic, its almost as if the game is the extension of the Metal Gear series, the cutscene’s and narrative options all reflect the philosophy of the creator in its visual elements.

 

 

One of the most notable aspects of the game is its star-studded cast. From Norman Reedus to Mads Mikkelsen, the game is backed by solid performances from these veteran actors. The presence of Guillermo Del Toro helps add an element of a masterpiece to the general range of emotions and expressions that the game tries to convey. One of the most noticeable presences throughout the game was the presence of Conan O Brian which helps break the 4^th wall.

The storyline of the game is extremely complex, as the title of the game suggests, Death Stranding refers to an event which rendered a majority of humanity extinct. The planet is now surrounded by ghosts referred to as BT’s. Having certain babies help detect the presence of these ghosts and it is extremely important to avoid and maintain the distance from the ghosts as they can eat you their mouths. The concept, as weird as it sounds, works perfectly in the context of Kojima’s storytelling. A bulk of the game is shrouded with mystery and kept me wondering about the context and background of the game which is perfect for the general direction of the game.

The dynamics of the game are filled with entertaining aspects that keep you hooked. The general storyline is very lengthy. It took me around 50 hours to complete the main storyline. The bulk of the storyline revolves around the deliveries of certain important packages and managing the weight being carried. The combat dynamics involve a lot of stealth elements which make the general experience entertaining.

 

 

The easter eggs in the game are highly entertaining and made the general experience so much more memorable. Without sharing too many details, the background behind certain activities conducted by Norman Reedus is definitely one that has to be experienced. The game is a perfect rollercoaster of visuals, weirdness and a storyline that takes you on a peculiar adventure; Everything you would expect from a Hideo Kojima game.