Do you like Shadow of the Colossus? The Last Guardian? Did you get enthralled by Journey? Do you play Silent Hill games for the atmosphere and feeling evoked by the game?
If yes, I think you will be able to see the value in Kojima's latest offering. The game is wonder-filled, beautiful, and haunting. It's not MGS6, although there is more action here than has been described in many reviews or seen on YT.
For example, you've probably read the "first 10 hours are a slog and filled with backtracking." Well, I didn't have to backtrack til hour 6 and when I did, it was on a motorcycle and took like 2 minutes. Before that point, I was pulled into an amazing world and gameplay loop that alternated between top tier storytelling cinematics and tight, compelling gameplay. Each loop added a bit more to each. Within 3 hours, I had seen and done more crazy things than most games dream of, had heart pounding moments, strategized about my moves, ran for my life, explored in wonder, and got pulled into the mystery of terms, characters, and visuals Death Stranding offers.
Give the game a rental or if you have the disposable income, go with your gut. This isn't No Man's Sky launch part 2. This is a masterpiece in its own right and playing it will be immensely satisfying and emotionally engaging. History will look fondly on Death Stranding after the initial polarization stabilizes.
UPDATE:
So why this would not be a good game for you:
-It’s a timesink. It took me 30 hrs to clear episode 3 of 14. Granted the game is basically a sprint to the end after episode 8, but still.
-You’re not into story-heavy games told through Hollywood-esque cutsenes.
-You don’t like the core gameplay premise. While this is anything but a “hurr derr walking sim”, delivering stuff by journeying (via walking, hiking, vehicles, and other means) is a primary facet of the game.
-You’ve never liked Kojima games. While this one is fresh and something new, there is a classic Kojima feel to the game.
-You want a straightforward point A to point B experience. Death Stranding is mostly pure freedom. At any given time you could do one of a dozen or more things.
So why this would be a good game for you:
-Kind of the opposite of the above: you want a lot of content, you like story heavy games, the core premise of journeying looks interesting to you, you’re a fan of Kojima, and you want a truly free gameplay experience.
-You’re fascinated by the genre mashups of worldbuilding (a la Minecraft), third person stealth/shooter (a la MGS), horror (a la Silent Hills), adventuring/hiking, management and planning, and strong narrative in a fresh beautiful world….all overlaid with the social strand system where you give and get likes, help other players and are helped, and see what the community is doing in the game’s world.
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