9 Video Games That Reward Charity

Death Stranding is a single player game where you venture alone between small settlements in a post-apocalyptic United States. Things can feel pretty isolating but there’s a cooperative-style mechanic which involves setting down emotes for other players to see, leaving items in post boxes for them to pick up, and going as far as to build structures like protective timefall shelters or even roads and bridges to help them on their journey.

It’s really something when you’re running low on gear and about to get caught in some acidic timefall rain and then happen across a shelter that someone else popped down.

You only see other people’s structures once you’ve finished the main mission objectives in the area, but being able to use shelters, roads, and bridges especially in the late-game is a massive help. Creating these means you can get likes, too, and likes boost your Bridge Link which in turn contributes to your level progression and opens up the ability to form Strand Contacts with more players meaning you’re more likely to see their items, equipment, and structures in your game. Ergo, being nice gets you that sweet tangible reward.

On top of that, levelling your Bridge Link also lets you build more structures in cooperation with other players which, if you ever tried to lug the needed materials for a bridge from one place to the other, is a well-needed feature.

There’s a beautiful moment when you need to venture back across the entire continent and you can really appreciate the extensive user-built roads and bridges. Loads of these cover the terrain over threatening areas, consequently letting you soar above a BT minefield that probably had you overwhelmed the first time through. You can drop multiple thumbs-ups on every rope, bridge, shelter, construct, and each emote you see which will help the player who placed it level up, and you receive the same back for your contributions.

While the world of Death Stranding so often feels devoid of life, finishing your region objective and going out to see every little feature other players have popped down is always heart-warming. Even the mushrooms that grow when everyone pees in one place.