Death Stranding Review

Death Stranding Review 

System: Playstation 4 / PC (Summer 2020)

Created by: Kojima Productions 

A Hideo Kojima Game

(No spoilers here, just a review)

The Road Travelled

It has been four years since Kojima laid a foundation to a new path in life. From Konami, the restructure was a rebirth. A fresh start as it had been in the works, from MGSV to PT. But this is not the time to dwell on the past. Death Stranding is a new chapter for KP.

Beginning in 2016, the groundwork, team assembled, and project build was underway. A teaser for a different kind of experience was born. Giving a second chance, a rebirth. Given the influence of those he connected with on his journey's. DS was inspired by those Kojima, and his team created bonds with along the way. Near or far away, they became a part of that link.

Concept

As Sam Porter, a carrier, delivery is second nature. But within this unique world, one is cautious of traversing the unknown. From various landmarks, hillsides, cliffs, rivers, streams, to chasms, and unexplored territory left behind. The world, its a massive place, once filled with life, now desolate. 

From the start we get adjusted to balance, carrying gear, and moving. However, a small bump in the road throws him off course, causing a  quick rescue of cargo. Learning how to control, the atmosphere drastically changes. Once the clouds shift, the rain comes. But this air,

sky, and Earth are very different from the world we know now. Its somewhere in the future, something happened. 

This is an original title, only the Decima engine is a familiar. 

But you choose the path you want to take, it is the destination that awaits.

Visuals

Everything you see from Sam's eyes, the open terrain, mountains, rivers, sands etc.. This can be explored. Every step you make is a part of the environment, which will change from time to time. Day to night, rain, sun, and other weather forms. The expanse constantly shifts as you cross the land. The colors are lush, from trees, rocks, rivers, grass, flowers that cross your path. The world is vast, yet feels alive, greeting you with open arms. But it is also affected

by other things, nature has evolved, but also become something different. 

Controls

The setup is mapped to Sam's abilities (which change the further in the game). From picking up items, to balance, calling out, and more.

Cargo - a unique system that affects Sam's range of movement. If carrying little, it is possibly to run by pushing the L3 stick forward.

Balance is affected when carrying heavier items, a prompt will let you know to use the L2 and R2 triggers to keep Sam going.

Also something to notice, is the stamina meter. If the gauge is blue, you are fine. When low, if its changes turning red, you are close to perishing.Thankfully you have a backup item as a pick me up to replenish your health gauge 

Extra note: the amount you push Sam also relates to his bladder, when need be you can find relief anywhere. Which will also replenish your stamina.

Audio

Surrounding you with lush sounds, from the trickle of water near or far, or to the sounds of birds cawing, to the rain. Every step has weight, to Sam's breathing, and heart rate. Everything feels alive. The world is in motion, along with you. Turn around, and the ambiance is overwhelming. Including the music with connects to what you feel. (more on this soon) There is nothing like the open world, you feel, smell, hear, and taste this all around you. It can be overwhelming at first, but give it time.

Soundtrack

There are in fact two soundtracks to this phenomenal game.

Timefall (with music by various artists)

From Chvrches hymn of the theme song, to Low Roar, and the amazing strings of Lindsay Stirling's violin. Every genre is explored. No two songs are alike. Each accompanies an emotion, or feeling.

Powerful, to moody emptiness. It covers every feeling you will connect to along the way. And some songs actually convert into melodies, as you traverse the music will also grow, shift, breakdown, change into something different every time. The soundtrack contains an amazing collection of music, totally worth a listen when you are not playing the game. 

Original Score (music by Ludvig Forssell)

Tone, energy, immersion, suspense, fear, and dreaming. All of these can be felt within the composer's work. Each track connects to what Sam is experiencing, from loneliness, tension, and emotions. You are Sam, Sam is you. Plus the music contains its own personality, nuanced throughout from each theme, but also shifting, changing, involved with the gameplay, it fades or echoes. Calming, meditative, or serenity. As the sound envelopes, washing you with feelings. This world is alive, and so is the music. Early on, you can feel the tonal changes with every step.

The world connects to you, and you to it. There is no other feeling quite like it.

Extra words

I am a fan of Kojima's past and present titles, am humbled by this phenomenal title. There is no other game quite like this out there. I am enjoying my first playthrough, exploring this new world not that different from our own. But it has become something different, yet it allows you to choose a path. There is so much mystery, yet answers to the unknown, and more questions to resolve. It does not tell you, it is a part of you. Very few games connect to a player like that. This is however not a run and gun type of title. It is an experience, you take a breath, your heart beats, your pacing finds its way. 

Death Stranding is a treasure, and more than a game. A definite must own. More info about this astounding title at https://www.playstation.com/en-ca/games/death-stranding-ps4/ http://www.kojimaproductions.jp/en/ https://open.spotify.com/artist/2nrb04b45LG5tjuHHzK5lc Ludvig Forssell's discography

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0Lqa1dNY9lMyS5JZTcpmmb?si=1u6HfFpaQFC6P_7-A4AFnQ Original Score

https://soundtracks.lnk.to/deathstranding Timefall