Death Stranding is an action-based game developed by Kojima Productions. This is the first game created by Hideo Kojima after his departure from Konami to build his own studio. In November 2019, Sony Interactive Entertainment released Death Stranding for PlayStation 4. The game was then released for Windows by 505 Games in July 2020. The reviews of the game say much about the experience of people playing it. To most, Death Stranding interprets the coronavirus pandemic era. You may call it a coincidence since the pandemic started in the same month the game was released. 

The Gameplay

It is essential to note that the game deviates a bit from the genre given to it due to its incorporated social elements. But since it is the first “strand game” and can easily relate to action, it can be set under the action genre. The action game portrays Sam Bridges’s character as a porter with the task of delivering supplies to different places while dealing with enemies like Beached Things, MULE, and Demens. What surrounds the gameplay is traversing environments while interacting with other characters. Your interaction with the game is noted in your activities on the terrains. And you will be intrigued by how you can play your life with better directions in the game. 

The Remnants Of America 

The game creates an idea of post-America. An earth-shattering event causes this era called the ‘death Stranding.” The event led to the current state of things where you have to confront “Beached Things,” invisible creatures that originated from the “Beach” immediately after the event. These creatures are an essential part of the game. It looked like the end of the world where creatures would spring forth from the underground to torment the remnants. What further strengthened that thought was seeing the BTs’ ability to cause explosions. These explosions called “voidouts” happen when BTs consume the dead. It would help if you are careful of the “Timeline,” the rain BTs produce that exterminates whatever it touches.

There is a broader narrative I discovered in the game. Death Stranding goes beyond some apocalyptic event, destroying almost everything in the United States. Like in the movies, you will always find out there are remnants. This is what makes the game even more enjoyable. The game tells a story of what happens after the technology age where infrastructure and technology have been destroyed. Remnants in the game are groups of small populations called “KNOTs” scattered across the country. As part of the necessity to rebuild and reconnect the city remnants, you are part of a company called “Bridges.” 

The job of this company is to deliver supplies to the KNOTs. While navigating to deliver supplies, you have to face bandits, BTs, and terrorists. That makes the delivery missions more challenging but also interesting. Apart from making deliveries, you also perform other duties on behalf of the “United Cities of America.” As part of your responsibilities, you need to convince remnants to join the UCA. The game is open enough to learn everything you want to know about America, BTs, KNOTs, and other important stuff. 

Your Cargo Delivery Duties

It is easy to figure out what the character is expected to do with the game’s setup. Sam, the character you control in the game, has to deliver supply cargo to several places that have been abandoned. Sam also has to make deliveries to survivors and researchers. While doing this, you have to connect them to Chiral Network, which serves as the communications system. 

For every delivery, Sam is evaluated by the company and recipients of the deliveries. Perhaps this is one reason why you will strive to satisfy your receivers. Your performance will reflect on your player statistics like weight, stability, and player’s relationship with characters and location. In all, I find it easy to gather rewards through the perfect delivery of service. Factors that affect your evaluation and rewards include the successful delivery of cargo and cargo condition upon delivery. Not to worry though, completing cargo delivery in good condition is what you are made for. It would look as if you are being tipped in a bar for delivering coffee on time to the customer. 

One of the things I noticed in my journey in the game is navigating through the environments. I found the delivery to be hard when the weight of the cargo is heavy. Apart from that, how you pack the cargo will either ease or trouble your navigation. And since you would be passing through rocky terrains or uneven landscapes surrounded by remnants, staying steady and balanced is a must. I struggled a bit with this, but it became comfortable when I figured how to make things easier for myself and my character. 

The Relationship Between Sam And BB

Not everyone wants a game where your character would be unusually tied to some machine, especially where the device or thing requires attention from time to time. In death stranding, my view against attachment changed completely. My character, Sam, in the game has to carry “Bridge Baby,” a small baby in a bottle tied to his chest. The baby, otherwise called BB, is a tool, designed to help you in-game.

First, BB alerts you whenever ghosts called BTs are around. And since you will be navigating through the landscape filled with enemies, BB is there to help you ensure you are aware of any danger in your way. However, what may upset you is the way BB alerts you of imminent danger. It cries, and that can be rather disturbing. It also cries whenever you fall down from a slippery mountain, which is bound to happen anyway. Surprisingly, you will grow fond of BB, as I did. Although it can be uncomfortable at first, you will get attached to the kid as you play on. Whenever it cried, I find a safe place for it until it calmed. Also, I would make sure I check up on it whenever we rested for the night. The truth is that you and BB could turn out to be inseparable. 

Soulful Music That Fits Into The Moments And Environments

While Death Stranding may not fit into what everyone would think as modern gaming, the game’s music does keep you in the game for as long as possible. I realized the game’s music is perfectly timed to fit into every moment you pass throughout my playing of the game. Since most of what you will be doing is navigating through shattered America with the hope of uniting the remnants, the game forges music that connects deeply with the environment, personal journey, and the characters you meet. Death Stranding’s artistic representation through music is something you will remember for a long time, even after playing the game.

Final Words On Death Stranding 

Between the game’s intrigues, great gameplay, and music, you will surely develop a strong interest. Kojima did well in creating a strange game characterized by unlimited imagination and creativity. There is no way you would play this game and would not get hooked on it. The first time I played this game, it felt a bit strange due to its vast story and corny game dialogue. But it is a great game that proved to be worth my time.