16 Essential Open-World Video Games Coming In 2017 & 2018

Jun 26, 2017 June 26th, 2017

1. Death Stranding

Here's what we know about Death Stranding, Hideo Kojima's first brand-new franchise since Zone of the Enders back in 2001:

1. It's confirmed as open-world, features some sort of dynamic multiplayer element, and also has - possibly literal - ties to the use of sticks and ropes to either create distance between players, or connect to them.

2. The general story is influenced by a short story written by Kõbõ Abe, apparently about life and death and the various metaphysical 'strands' that connect souls, bodies, spirits etc. between realms.

3. The name is based on 'Cetacean Stranding'; the phenomena of whales and other sea life washing up ashore before dying.

4. There was more thought put into its debut trailer than the entirety of some game franchises, which you can break down even more over here.

5. Hideo Kojima being given a budget of millions and unlimited creative freedom is a welcome breath of fresh air in an industry ravaged by identikit mechanics.