11 Video Games That Require Hours To Master Their Mechanics

Death Stranding is a truly unique experience. One of 2019's most polarising games, it re-invented what gameplay has to look like, for better or for worse. One thing that is for certain is that these gameplay innovations take time and energy to master.

Sam Porter Bridges is trying to reconnect the USA the only way he knows how; by being the best damn courier in the country. Inventory management and traversal make up the majority of Death Stranding's run time, so Kojima designed an almost painfully accurate weight and balancing mechanic to apply on top of movement. We can't simply stock ourselves up to the chin with gear and jump over the nearest mountain à la Skyrim; balance is key.

If you overstock yourself with items, you will have a harder time balancing. If you try tackling rough terrain whilst carrying a decent amount of stock, you will fall over. At first, this is infuriating, and unlike anything a player has had to deal with before. But over the next 50 hours, not only will Sam get new abilities and vehicles to make his job easier, but your management and mountaineering skills will soon make you the Tenzing Norgay of video games.