Death Stranding Review - 5/5 - Reviewed on PS4 Pro. The hype cycle for Death Stranding was absolutely bonkers. Death Stranding is the most unique big-budget game I’ve ever played, a socially-minded injection of inventive ideas into a genre that has long survived by being lazy and brutish. You’re bringing this world together, and to achieve this you need to work alongside other players to achieve such lofty goals. Sam Bridges is one such Porter. Just as Death Stranding is threatening to become consistently enjoyable, the setting shifts. #mc-embedded-subscribe-form input[type=checkbox]{display: inline; width: auto;margin-right: 10px;} Sam is allied in his pursuit by a quirky cast of characters with quirkier names like Heartman and Die-hardman, and opposed by Troy Baker’s wonderfully maniacal villain Higgs, who has an appetite for both licking faces and chewing scenery. This is a question that has alluded fans since its reveal, and now the answer is finally out there. Ultimately, Death Stranding is a game that is unlike much else I've played before, and I'm not entirely sure if I want to play anything like it ever again. It has a connection with the afterlife, meaning it is capable of detecting the presence of monsters nearby. Of course, this is an older version of the engine, but it’s capable of more than ever before, and perhaps opens a case for why console exclusives should be relegated to the past. Kojima Productions has created a sprawling narrative adventure which serves as a purposeful commentary on division in modern society, citing the political divide and complacent attitude of our current climate as the reason for its worlds’ descent, albeit with a harrowing supernatural twist. It’s a triumph of one man’s unrelenting, uncompromised vision of hope. It’s preachy and unsubtle to the point of hilarity, but given how averse blockbusters are to discussing politics nowadays, Hideo Kojima is already sitting atop the mountain. Norman Reedus is great as Sam Bridges, his performance distant in a way that really works for the character. Timefall is often a calling card for the BTs, the supernatural creatures fighting between this world and the afterlife, stranded in an ethereal place known as ‘The Beach.’ It’s all a bit confusing, but Death Stranding does a stunning job of justifying all of its nonsense. Death Stranding starts off just as quirkily as any Metal Gear Solid game before it; very early on, you’re asked to enter your date of birth. Encounters with these spectral nasties certainly ratchet up the tension to survival-horror levels. My only regret is not ordering the special edition that came with the BB statue! By Sam Watanuki Nov 12, 2019 Much like Metal Gear Solid 5 or The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Death Stranding feels defined by player choice. Death Stranding is one of a kind, cementing itself as a weird, wonderful masterpiece. So powerful was this vision that it gave a deeply cynical individual like me a reason to hope. Tweet. This is also the first time we’ve seen the Decima Engine run on anything outside of a PlayStation console. Used to power both Death Stranding and, , this is an exciting glimpse into what this technology will be capable of on more powerful hardware such as high-end gaming rigs and the upcoming. Blood, Intense Violence, Partial Nudity, Strong Language. Every quest is an exercise in unpredictability, taking you on a rollercoaster of sudden twist and turns dictated by an innumrable number of factors. It’s excellent to see those on this platform receiving a few extra bonuses after waiting so long. But much like its stumbling protagonist, Death Stranding just can’t consistently get the balance right despite possessing equally lofty ambitions and countless inventive ideas. Seen at outlets such as MTV UK, Kotaku and Trusted Reviews (obviously…, One of the most original games of this generation, A scary, melancholic and inviting world to explore, The characters are strange, layered and interesting, Mechanics all compliment each other brilliantly, Social interaction system is genuinely innovative, This is also the first time we’ve seen the Decima Engine run on anything outside of a PlayStation console. BB – short for Bridge Baby – is a newborn trapped inside a pod which is strapped to your chest. From game creator Hideo Kojima comes the genre-defying experience Death Stranding. In short – it’s unlike anything else. There is a fascinating, fleshed-out world of supernatural science fiction to enjoy across its sprawling and spectacular map, so it’s a real shame that it’s all been saddled on a gameplay backbone that struggles to adequately support its weight over the full course of the journey. This port is an accurate adaptation of the PS4 original, albeit with a welcome assortment of bells and whistles not seen in the vanilla release – provided you meet the system requirements. While here, you can make Norman Reedus shower, use the bathroom and even stare into a mirror to make an absurd number of weird impressions. The core premise of Death Stranding is oddly more fitting now than when it first released. It's huge, innovative and utterly unashamed in what it wants to be. It’s fitting that Kojima Productions’ latest is so preoccupied with social media inspired praise, because in some ways I did ‘Like’ Death Stranding. *This Review Code was so generously provided by the publisher for review* If you have a machine capable of powering this epic adventure, it’s more than worth jumping into. Much like Sam, they aren’t trained for combat, and don’t want to kill you. Death Stranding is honestly unlike anything I’ve ever played before. She handles all things gaming whether it be news, reviews, events or silly features. Sam is tasked with piecing the country back together, visiting different outposts and encouraging them to join the ‘United Cities of America’ – a coalition of sorts that can share knowledge and resources across a vast, futuristic network. Death Stranding is unlike anything else out there right now. This means you’re free to find a balance between visual splendour and reliable performance before setting out on your deliveries. Of course, this is an older version of the engine, but it’s capable of more than ever before, and perhaps opens a case for why console exclusives should be relegated to the past. Death Stranding is the debut project from Kojima Productions and cemented itself as one of 2019's biggest blockbusters. Death Stranding Review (PS4)Hideo Kojima is a legend in the gaming industry after he masterminded and directed the entire Metal Gear series, which made him a household ... Read Full Review … Without mechanical context this probably sounds incredibly boring, but Kojima Productions has done a stellar job ensuring every little system informs and enhances a rather pedestrian activity into something truly special. Verdict. Too many items will weight Sam down, slowing movement and his reactions to oncoming enemies or obstacles. They’re a nuisance, but easy enough to sneak past or deal with in one-on-one confrontations. The constantly shifting weather is a sight to behold as it bounces against Sam’s back and the glistening terrain, dynamically transforming the landscape in some fascinating ways. Nov 8, 2020-203. In theory, no two players will experience missions in the same way, because Death Stranding’s world is so vast and malleable that split-second decisions are being made constantly. Death Stranding is the definition of a divisive title, one with a plodding story and cumbersome menu system, but if you’re looking for something that challenges your perception of … I didn’t pick up a firerarm for roughly 12 hours, and experiencing a dark, foreboding world like this that doesn’t drive you to kill is refreshing. Do I venture up this precarious mountain and shorten my journey or go around, taking a little longer but risking the chance of encountering BTs? I laughed, I cried and I grinned like a stupid idiot at the absurdity of it all. I did so, indicating I was an Aquarius, and was quickly stopped dead in my tracks by a message that advised other star signs provided an option for better powers. #mergeRow-gdpr fieldset label {font-weight: normal;} There’s talk of multiple universes, teleportation and goodness knows what else that you’ll discover for yourself, and if you’ve a penchant for the bizarre like I do, you’ll adore every unusual minute of it. After the past three years of cryptic and confusing teaser trailers, the question on everyone’s lips has been, “What exactly is Death Stranding?” Well, now we know, and the answer is… complicated. Popping your scanner and seeing a flurry of markers appear on the horizon diversifies your strategy, opening up countless directions for moving forward. Reality in the outside world constantly teeters between life and death. Kojima Productions is heavy-handed in its implementation of modern political themes, but they tie into the narrative and involve the player in ways that feel beautifully compelling- resulting in one of the strongest final acts I’ve seen in some time. Hideo Kojima is a not subtle storyteller. One is a wholly unique open-world adventure with asynchronous cooperative multiplayer that allows me to … MULES are a nightmare to deal with, proving to be a worthy test of your survival skills. The objective of each quest and exactly what you’re carrying constantly shift priorities, twisting an otherwise boring premise into one that I found infinitely engaging. Sam has additional motivation to undertake his epic expedition: his sister Amelie is held hostage by Higgs on America’s westernmost edge, a destination appropriately called Edge Knot City. Kojima Production has ensured that all the additional features and updates added to the console version are included here from the outset. Sam also has a scanner which can be activated at the touch of a button, scanning the surrounding area for locations and resources while also revealing the outlining of nearby threats. A series of catastrophic events have triggered events known as the Death Stranding, which causes invisible supernatural creatures to come into the world and kill anyone near them. It’s a shame there’s no concrete day/night cycle in place, since this could have made things all the more terrifying. This is the man who made Metal Gear, and this legacy shines through in every aspect of his new creation. Death has consequences, untouched corpses only adding to the hellish landscape Sam and friends are forced to call home – so I never added to it, knocking foes out and moving on with my day whenever possible. This includes a fully-featured photo mode that I struggled to pull myself away from in the opening hours. You can adjust graphical presets and more intricate options whenever you like, the majority of which don’t require a restart to implement. Ensuring you don’t collapse while navigating the world’s tricky terrain, the upgrade means that accurately targeting foes is far easier now, and feels more satisfying as a result. The elephant in the room: Death Stranding is more relevant than ever There were a lot of jokes made about Death Stranding when it first released … It’s a technological achievement on so many levels. Sam Porter is a courier, so by nature a lot of his time will be spent delivering packages across the broken plains of America. If you pass away and your body isn’t cremated, it will cause a devastating explosion known as a ‘Void Out,’ an event of nuclear proportions that infects the surrounding area, making it practically uninhabitable. You can find private rooms crafted by other players across the open-world, offering a temporary shelter in the face of danger for recharging all your precious resources. However, you aren’t completely defenseless, largely thanks to BB. An equal amount of patience and skill is required to see most missions through, but the added performance certainly doesn’t hurt. Norman … I was sustained by consistently sublime artistry and ingenuity. It's now arrived on PC, so it's time to dive into the port. Death Stranding - The Drop Promotional Trailer | PS4 Death Stranding defies convention, focusing on “connection” over combat and (almost) removing the notion of restarting … Death Stranding is an ambitious game, but it’s also one that’s self-indulgent and overwrought. If you happen to lose any vital resources or cargo while on a mission, it can be picked up by other players and delivered back to you. #mc-embedded-subscribe-form .mc_fieldset{border:none;min-height: 0px;padding-bottom:0px;}. Taking Sam for a short walk up a slight hill feels more like trying to push a wheelbarrow full of bricks up a flight of stairs. It’s huge, innovative and utterly unashamed in what it wants to be. Death Stranding PC Review Round Up. He’s dark, devious and chews the scenery every moment he’s on screen. Even as I type this review up, I want to hop back on! Portrayed by Norman Reedus, he hides away a horrid past and plenty of emotional baggage that is explored to tremendous effect throughout the campaign. Death Stranding is secretly a brilliant hiking and mountaineering simulator, and every piece of rough terrain you encounter is a puzzle to be solved. In the opening chapters it’s made clear that the ‘Death Stranding’ was an apocalyptic event that left the world in tatters. In Death Stranding, you play Sam Porter Bridges. Death Stranding review: “An okay game ironically lost in its lengthy delivery” ... Death Stranding does have its moments though, despite the overall monotony of its principal activity. There’s simply nothing else like it, and for that very reason I adore it. This is a game by Hideo Kojima, so expect plenty of cutscenes throughout the long campaign (some even take place in The White House). */ True to its auteur’s legacy, Death Stranding is filled with lengthy cutscenes. Death Stranding feels like two games in one, designed for seemingly opposite audiences. That, and firing a gun filled with your own blood to take out supernatural spectres is very, very badass. Visionary game director Hideo Kojima's latest, Death Stranding, is launching on PC and reviews indicate the wild ride the game offers is worth it. We recommend moving this block and the preceding CSS link to the HEAD of your HTML file. Death Stranding, on which Shinkawa served as art director, weaves in a new strand of ghostly horror, and is perhaps their most potent creation yet. It’s bright, futuristic space that fills with trinkets and equipment, and by the end it’s absolutely crawling with items. ... Full Details on Cyberpunk 2077 Content For PC Version of Death Stranding. But how does Death Stranding play? By Scott Meslo w This normally involves quests that require the delivery of vital resources, or venturing into an area undoubtedly filled with spooky monsters to retrieve an important item. With that comes the expectation of over-the-top exposition with its storytelling. Death Stranding … Many photo modes are basic to a fault, but this one is anything but. A stretch of road I'd built some 20 hours earlier sprouted into a lengthy highway, all thanks to the persistence of others. I’ll try not to delve too further into the nitty-gritty of it all, partly because of spoilers, and also I run the risk of driving myself insane with all the inevitable convolution. Returning to it with this new and improved port after stewing on its world and themes for a number of months is wonderfully sobering, and a nice break from some of this year’s blockbusters. The only souls courageous – or foolish – enough to venture out are Porters, people responsible for delivering precious resources across the continent. It feels like being declared the winner of a food fight, only to find out that your prize is a mop and bucket. Developed internally at Kojima Productions, the Japanese studio has gone above and beyond to ensure this is the definitive version of the unusual epic for those with the gaming machines to keep up with it. This sense of co-operation is echoed throughout all of Death Stranding, whether it’s through using another porter’s ladder to climb a mountain or them hurling precious weapons at you during a battle. 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