Death Stranding evokes similar feelings to those I experienced with what I consider the best film of the year, Once upon a Time in Hollywood. Quentin Tarantino‘s latest work divided both critics and audiences: some viewed its nearly three-hour runtime as uneventful, while others lauded it as an instant classic. I belong to the latter camp. The overall experience and the film’s narrative journey were, for me, captivating. Despite its length, I found myself consistently engaged, save for a couple of minor instances of excessive voice-over. While distinct from Kill Bill or Pulp Fiction, it offered a unique cinematic experience. Similarly, Hideo Kojima‘s first independent game since his departure from Konami, where he developed the Metal Gear series over three decades, presents a comparably distinctive, audio-visually driven experience. However, like Tarantino’s film, Death Stranding may be perceived by some as protracted, occasionally lacking in significant events, and potentially pretentious.
Summarizing the plot of Death Stranding concisely is a challenge. Fundamentally, it’s an epic narrative set in a dystopian future where the United States is fractured and humanity confronts supernatural phenomena. These include a rain that accelerates aging and extraterrestrial entities that pose a mortal threat, transforming corpses into lethal beings unless promptly incinerated. The game explores themes of human survival, featuring a protagonist carrying a baby in a specialized incubator (referred to as BB). It delves into cycles of rebirth and, significantly, involves extensive traversal. As Sam Porter Bridges (portrayed by Walking Dead‘s Norman Reedus), players navigate expansive landscapes burdened with heavy cargo, ranging from essential supplies to human remains requiring immediate cremation. Throughout this journey, Sam encounters a diverse cast of enigmatic characters (played by, among others, Mads Mikkelsen, directors Guillermo Del Toro, Nicolas Winding Refn and the accomplished voice actor Troy Baker) whose allegiances are initially ambiguous.
The Crowning Achievement of a Dying Era
To be direct, Death Stranding likely represents the Magnum Opus of the Playstation 4 generation, especially on the PS4 Pro. Similar to how The Last of Us served as a culmination of the PS3’s lifespan, Death Stranding arrives as the PS4 enters its twilight. Its presentation eclipses that of most other games. Leveraging the Guerrilla Games’ engine from Horizon Zero Dawn, Kojima and his team have further optimized it, delivering visuals and audio of exceptional quality, particularly on the PS4 Pro. While God of War set a high benchmark for production value, Death Stranding elevates it further. The fidelity of the facial models and, crucially, the eyes, is remarkably advanced. While graphical limitations remain visible, particularly in occasional resolution dips and aliasing, the game approaches the level of realism achieved by Hollywood in digitally animated characters like Caesar in the Planet of the Apes reboot. The open world is detailed and visually compelling. The game’s trailers offer a glimpse of what players can expect.
The sound design is equally impressive. The voice acting is superb, with the cast delivering compelling performances, a testament to Kojima’s careful selection, perhaps aided by insights from the accomplished directors involved. The overall audio design is exceptional, with Ludvig Forsell, who also composed the music for Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, contributing his cinematic style. The combination of Forsell’s score and the curated soundtrack creates an experience akin to an interactive film. I anticipate revisiting the soundtrack on Spotify.
Death Stranding: A Personal Journey
As mentioned, Death Stranding is more of a distinct game experience than a conventionally structured game. While expansive like The Witcher 3, it lacks that title’s immediate action-oriented gameplay. The narrative unfolds gradually, requiring players to invest time in experiencing the story while guiding Sam through the desolate, yet beautiful landscape. The mechanic of using the R2 and L2 buttons to maintain Sam’s balance, which becomes more challenging with heavier loads and difficult terrain, may not appeal to all players. Furthermore, it is not primarily an action game; while defense is possible, stealth and evasion, reminiscent of Metal Gear Solid, often prove to be the most effective strategies.
Death Stranding is also a lengthy game. A focused playthrough, concentrating on essential tasks, may take around 20-30 hours. Completionists engaging with side missions can easily spend upwards of 60 hours in the game. While the time investment is significant, it rarely feels unproductive. However, enthusiasts of fast-paced action-adventure games might find the pacing too slow and the world too sparse for such a commitment. Those seeking a quicker entry into the story and more immediate action may prefer titles like Spider-man.
In conclusion, Death Stranding is an audio-visual accomplishment from a creator who, although perhaps viewed by some as a pretentious storyteller with aspirations in Hollywood, is ultimately far more than that. Kojima is a skilled director in his own right, and there’s a reason more actors and filmmakers are increasingly drawn to the gaming industry, which, with its $43 billion turnover in 2018, is the dominant form of entertainment today. The upcoming generation may blur the lines between games and film/TV. Not in the sense that they are identical – on the contrary, they are fundamentally distinct, one being interactive and the other passive – but because compelling narratives and storytellers excel regardless of the medium.
Konami, which now seems primarily sustained by its past achievements (the Castlevania series being a notable example), should lament the loss of Hideo Kojima. While he may not attain the same widespread popularity as Nintendo’s Shigeru Miyamoto, Death Stranding reaffirms his status as one of the most significant and intriguing game creators of our time. Whether his creations resonate with your personal taste is another matter. Experiencing it firsthand will provide the answer. As for myself, I have made my decision.
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