Death Stranding: 6 Reasons It Could Be FANTASTIC (And 5 It Could Be A Disaster)
Kojima's magnum opus or his biggest flop?
The road to Death Stranding has undoubtedly been a weird one. What started as a cryptic trailer featuring Norman Reedus chilling naked on an ethereal beach with a group of dead whales and a fetus has branched into Hideo Kojima's most cryptic experience yet.
We've seen a baby living inside a person's throat, a shadowy, war-ravaged alternate realm, colossal oily dog monsters and a character literally named "Die-Hardman" (that's definitely the weirdest bit). Yet, I don't think anyone was prepared for how utterly bizarre Hideo Kojima's recent gameplay reveals were going to be.
Finally giving us a significant glimpse into what Death Stranding actually is, the esteemed game director decided to show off a detailed urination mechanic, Norman Reedus playing the harmonica to get likes of a dancing baby and a whole lot of lengthy hiking.
It's safe to say that this new look at the game has been somewhat divisive. While some hardcore Kojima fans relish the idea of the director's wacky vision being allowed to flourish, others worry that his latest work might turn out to be a bloated disaster that lacks direction.
However you look at it, Death Stranding will be the crowning example of why Kojima should or shouldn't be put on a leash, and these features could be the deciding factors why...
11. Interesting World To Explore
If there's one thing that's come out of all the cinematic trailers for Death Stranding so far, it's that the world Kojima is creating is vast, dense and utterly beautiful.
From the picturesque Icelandic landscapes that feature in the recent gameplay footage to the unnerving, seemingly World War 2 inspired trenches of the game's alternate dimension, it's evident Kojima has devised a world that's as visually explosive as it is rich with narrative intrigue.
Whether it's through crumbling cities, a star-studded cast of interesting side characters or the presence of intimidating invisible shadow monsters that stalk the player's movements, everything in Death Stranding seems to have a story to tell. It comes off as a world that's crammed with mysteries that are begging to be solved and distinctly unique environments that are crafted with superb attention to detail.
Traversal seems to be a big part of Death Stranding's experience, and if exploring the environments comes with as much interesting story and aesthetical potential as the trailers appear to hint at, we could have one of the most memorable open-worlds of this generation.