Re:Play Episode #5 - Death Stranding

Over the last couple of months I’ve been playing through Death Stranding as it’s finally made its long awaited release on the Xbox Series X. I’ve been a fan of Hideo Kojima’s work for quite a while and it all started back in middle school when I got my hands on Metal Gear Solid. While I could have experienced Death Stranding on the PlayStation 5, those who know me will already know that my Xbox is my go to console. So while the epic journey of Sam Bridges has been seen by numerous people in the years since its initial release, much like Sam - I was treading new ground within a very unique world.

When Death Stranding was released in November 2019, it was heralded as one of the most ambitious and divisive games in recent memory. Directed by Hideo Kojima, the legendary creator of the Metal Gear series, it was the first project from his independent studio, Kojima Productions, following his high-profile split from Konami. Promising to redefine the boundaries of what games could achieve, Death Stranding sought to be more than just a video game; it aimed to be a journey about connection, isolation, and hope.

Set in a post-apocalyptic United States ravaged by a mysterious event called the Death Stranding, the game introduces us to a world where the boundaries between the living and the dead have blurred. Supernatural creatures roam the land, and society has fractured into isolated communities. At the heart of this desolation is Sam Porter Bridges (played by Norman Reedus), a stoic deliveryman tasked with reconnecting humanity by delivering vital cargo and linking settlements to a communication network known as the Chiral Network.

Thematically, Death Stranding is strikingly prescient. Released months before the COVID-19 pandemic, its central message of forging connections in a fragmented world gained new relevance. Its focus on loneliness, digital interconnectivity, and the value of human relationships resonated with players in unexpected ways during a time when isolation became reality.

The narrative is quintessential Kojima—dense, cryptic, and layered with philosophical musings. From musings on existentialism and the human condition to commentary on technology’s role in shaping society, the story blends the deeply personal with the absurdly grandiose. While Kojima has been criticized with his use of heavy-handed exposition and convoluted twists, he’s also been praised for his ambition with some seeing it as a reflection of Kojima’s unfiltered creative vision.

Using the likeness of a diverse range of Hollywood actors to portray his cast of characters allowed Kojima to tap into the more emotional complexity of his narrative in quite an unexpected way. The cast which features Mass Mikkelsen’s enigmatic Cliff, Léa Seydoux’s determined Fragile, and Troy Baker’s antagonist Higgs, brought depth to the story, with each mastering their role along side Norman Reedus. Each character embodied the prevailing themes of loss, redemption, and connection, which in turn grounds the game’s high-concept ideas in deeply human struggles.

At its core, Death Stranding is a walking simulator. The majority of gameplay revolves around traversing the rugged landscapes to deliver packages to the various settlements that make up the U.C.A. While the simplistic nature of traversing from A to B won’t win over many, Kojima and his team turned the  mundane chore of carrying cargo into a intricate experience.

The world is also an active participant in the gameplay and is much a character within the narrative. Across the journey we  have to manage our cargo’s weight, navigate treacherous environments, and maintain balance while crossing rivers, climbing mountains, and avoiding supernatural threats like the supernatural BTs. Every journey feels like a deliberate act, requiring planning, resource management, and patience.

To some early reviewers, this gameplay loop felt tedious, which earned the game labels like “walking simulator” or “delivery simulator.” To others - myself included -it’s a meditative experience that offers a unique blend of tension, strategy, and peace. The sense of accomplishment from completing a challenging delivery is deeply satisfying, and the game’s systems like building infrastructure to aid travel, or placing unwanted items within shared lockers creates a sense of collective achievement within the distinctly lonesome world.  

This multiplayer aspect is also a standout feature to the title. Every players is able to leave ladders, bridges, and other tools for others to use, which fosters a sense of shared effort in conquering the task at hand. It’s also a  mechanic that’s reinforced within the game’s central theme of  creating connections and working together for the greater good.

Built on the Decima engine, Death Stranding is a visually stunning experience . The game’s landscapes and cast are breathtakingly detailed with landscapes that range from misty mountains and grassy plains to barren deserts and volcanic terrain, the environments here feel both alien and familiar and are a far cry from the present day USA we all know. The game’s atmosphere is further elevated by its haunting soundtrack, featuring contributions from artists such as Low Roar and Bring Me The Horizon. The soundtrack is utilised in a way so it often takes over during moments of solitude, which amplifies the emotion of the journey. Kojima’s also makes great use of silence and ambient sounds to further immerse us into this hauntingly beautiful and unique environment. 

Of course, any video game that vastly changes social expectations is going to garner some criticism, and Death Stranding was now different. Upon release, Death Stranding certainly divided critics and players. Where some hailed it as a masterpiece, applauding its bold vision, innovative mechanics, and emotional depth. Others dismissed it as pretentious, tedious, and overly self-indulgent. The games pacing is also frequent point of contention with various players. The slow, deliberate nature alienated those seeking more traditional action and is something vastly different from the more combat oriented Metal Gear Solid. Similarly, the story’s mass exposition and Kojima’s own  penchant for very long cutscenes continues to test our patience.

Overall Death Stranding isn’t a game for everyone. It’s slow, strange, and often inscrutable mistress which demands patience and an open mind. For those willing to embrace its quirks, it offers an experience unlike any other. In an industry often dominated by formulaic designs and safe bets, Death Stranding breaks the mold as a bold experiment, one that challenges us to rethink what we think a game can be.

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