Death Stranding

There is so much to love in this game, with its mind-bending setting, deep storytelling, some of the most unique 'enemies' and technologies ever, and solid casting and acting.

Unfortunately, the gameplay is equally amongst the most boring ever. The main character being a courier sounds special at first, but you quickly discover that it's just an excuse for the worst of modern, 'open-world' gameplay: a gazillion pointless item collecting quests. Pick this up and return it, now pick that up and return it, and on and on and on.

Most disappointing are four aspects of the game that reinforce how boring the collection routine is:

1) The more you collect in one run, the wonkier the controls get and/or the slower the character moves. And if you fall, all those items get damaged. Feels unique, and realistic, at first. But after the 100th trip it's just annoying, and there a thousands of trips more still to go.

2) The very 'enemies' that make the game so unique are impossible or very difficult to defeat, depending on the stage of the game, causing you to either: (a) spend 30min inch by inch edging forward, in sneak mode, holding your breath while also monitoring your stamina, to avoid an enemy you can only occasionally see; or (b) risk dying and losing everything you're carrying while fighting them, or damaging everything even if you win.

3) If you like the idea of stealth and sneaking, too bad, because there's also a feature built into the game that increasingly damages everything you're carrying the longer you are outside. So sneaking around the enemies damages your goods as much or even more than fighting them.

4) As you build up your character you unlock tonnes of unique tools, vehicles, weapons, and more. Many of them seem to counteract points 1-3 above, greatly improving the gameplay. Yet, in many cases, there are features in the game that make those tools frustrating or annoying to use anyway. The main aspect being vehicles, which can allow you to carry up to 5 times or more than you normally can. Yet both terrain and vehicle physics are designed to make most it almost impossible to use them in most places.

A final aspect that's disappointing, but not quite so frustrating, is that you can build a certain thing (no spoilers about what) that seems like it will greatly improve your travels. But to do so, you need *hundreds of thousands* of resources that are generally found in batches of 500-1000. So it takes *ages and ages* of additional repetitive gameplay. And once you finish, you discover that by that point you've already completed everything that it would have helped you with anyway. Would've been better to ignore it!

So, for me, 10/10 for story and setting, and I'm playing right to the end for that. But 4/10 or less for gameplay. (nb. Probably a 7/10 each for music and graphics).

Along with The Witcher 3, Zelda Ocarina of time, the first Red Dead Redemption and Final Fantasy 7 (the original) this goes directly to my top 5 list. An absolute masterpiece

Like many I was on the fence about this game, i always liked the medal gear games even though I was never a die hard fan. Nevertheless I've always respected Kojima and I wanted to try the game but I heard people calling it a "walking simulator" and seeing more gameplay I was starting to get put off by the game. I'm the type of person who likes to go out of their comfort zone so I picked it up I'm about 30 hrs In and I'm loving it so far. I understand why some people think it's boring but for me it was like a breath fresh air it's like something you've never played before. If you're the type of player who likes long thought provoking games this is for you.

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.