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  5. Death Stranding

Death Stranding

Overall Rating: 4.32 • 2095 reviews
The Investment Gamer The Resilient Player

Tomorrow is in your hands in Death Stranding, Hideo Kojima’s genre-defying epic about connection, isolation, and the persistence of the human spirit. As Sam Porter Bridges, you are tasked with traversing a hauntingly beautiful, post-apocalyptic United States to deliver essential cargo and reconnect a fragmented society. This is a “Strategic Sanctuary” for the Investment Gamer, where the terrain itself is the primary antagonist and every piece of infrastructure you build is a long-term asset. For the Resilient Player, the game’s meditative pace and community-driven “Social Strand” system provide a high-value mental reset that feels uniquely productive in an increasingly disconnected world.

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Details

Some of the particulars and information about Death Stranding.
Developer: Kojima Productions
Release Date: November 8, 2019
How Long to Beat: 60 hrs

Great for:

The Investment Gamer The Resilient Player

Ratings

Some of the ratings and scores for Death Stranding.
84 Metacritic
6.8 IGN
-- Our Score

Genres

Action
Adventure

Systems

Here's where you can find Death Stranding and play.

ESRB: Mature

Blood
Strong Language
Intense Violence
Partial Nudity
Overview
Why Play?
How Much Time?
Overview

A "Logistics-Action" masterpiece that transforms the act of traversal into a deep strategic puzzle, offering a premium, slow-burn experience for the thoughtful professional.

Why Play?

This experience offers a unique "Asynchronous Multiplayer" system and a deep "Terrain-Based" navigation loop that ensures your journey is a high-value strategic and emotional endeavor.

How Much Time?

Reconnect a fractured nation at your own pace, moving from meditative 30-minute delivery runs to an exhaustive, 50-hour logistical investment that deeply respects your professional schedule.

The “Infrastructure ROI” for the Investment Gamer

Death Stranding is the ultimate game of Incremental Gains. For the Investment Gamer, the value isn’t in combat, but in Logistics Mastery. Every delivery you complete earns you “Likes” (the game’s social currency) and unlocks better equipment, from active skeletons that let you carry more weight to zip-lines that bypass treacherous mountains. The “Strategic Payoff” comes from building a persistent network of roads and structures. You aren’t just walking; you are engineering a more efficient future. Seeing a highway you helped build being used by other players provides a “Collective ROI” that makes your individual efforts feel globally significant.

A Meditative Reset for the Resilient Player

For the Resilient Player, Death Stranding offers a rare form of “Active Mindfulness.” The gameplay requires you to focus on the terrain, balancing your pack, navigating rivers, and managing your stamina. This creates a “Flow State” that acts as a high-quality mental palate cleanser. If you’ve had a high-stress day, the simple, focused goal of getting a package from Point A to Point B is incredibly grounding. Because the game tracks your “Lost Cargo” and deliveries with meticulous detail, you can step away for a month and return to find exactly where you left off, with your structures still standing and your mission clear.

An Audiovisual Masterpiece

Powered by the Decima Engine, the game features photorealistic landscapes inspired by the volcanic beauty of Iceland. Combined with a haunting, melancholic soundtrack by Low Roar, the production value is unmistakably “Premium.” For the professional seeking a cinematic escape, the game’s world-building and high-concept sci-fi narrative offer a sophisticated retreat that feels more like an interactive arthouse film than a traditional video game.

The “Social Strand” System

The “Why Play” for Death Stranding is its unique multiplayer. You never see another player, but you see their impact. A ladder left by someone else might save your life, or a bridge built by a stranger might cut ten minutes off your journey. For the Investment Gamer, this creates a “Philanthropic ROI”, you are incentivized to build things that help others, creating a positive feedback loop of “Likes” and gratitude that makes the digital world feel genuinely interconnected.

The Terrain as a Boss Fight

In most games, the ground is just what you walk on. In Death Stranding, the ground is the challenge. For the Resilient Player, this turns travel into a “Tactical Puzzle.” You must plan your route, pack your gear strategically, and use your scanner to find the safest path. It’s a rewarding “Slow-Burn” challenge that values patience and preparation over “twitch” reflexes, making it perfect for an adult’s mental tempo.

The “Porter” Progression

The game features an incredibly deep rating system for your deliveries: Volume, Speed, Cargo Condition, and more. For the Investment Gamer, this provides a “Data-Driven” sense of growth. Perfecting your “Porter Grade” unlocks better stats and gear, ensuring that your efficiency as a logistics professional is constantly being recognized and rewarded.

The “Great Connector” (The 40-Hour Journey)

To experience the core narrative and reach the conclusion of Sam’s journey, expect to invest roughly 40 to 50 hours. This is a perfect “Long-Term Project” for a season of play, providing a deep, immersive experience that grows in complexity as you unlock new tools.

The “Local Delivery” Sprint (The 20-Minute Rule)

Many side-deliveries and infrastructure maintenance tasks can be completed in 15 to 20 minutes. It is a fantastic game for a “Micro-Reset”, logging on to deliver a few packages or contribute resources to a road before closing the day.

The “Expedition” (The 90-Minute Session)

Major story “Episodes” that take you into new regions are best experienced in 60 to 90-minute windows. This allows you to fully engage with the planning, the travel, and the cinematic payoffs without feeling rushed.

Trailer

A Quick Look at Death Stranding

Curious what Death Stranding is all about? The trailer gives you a great first look at the world, the vibe, and the kind of story you're stepping into.

Death Stranding Trailer
Videos

Related videos for Death Stranding

These videos give some tips and pointers on getting started with Death Stranding

Death Stranding - Before You Buy

gameranx

Death Stranding PC - Before You Buy [4K 60FPS]

gameranx

DEATH STRANDING: 10 Things You Need To Know

gameranx

Death Stranding: 29 Crucial Tips To Get You Started

IGN
Backbone One

Competing For the TV at Home? No Problem! Here's How You Can Play Death Stranding on your phone.

You don't have to compete with the family for the TV to play console games anymore. With the Backbone One, your phone becomes your Xbox or PS5 controller, giving you the freedom to pick up and play when life gives you a spare moment. It's how we get most of our playtime in.
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Screenshots

Screenshots of Death Stranding

Want to see what Death Stranding actually looks like in-game? These screenshots will hopefully give you a feel for what the world of Death Stranding is like.

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Extras

Downloadable Content for Death Stranding

DLC just means more of a good thing. Here are some for Death Stranding

Death Stranding Director's Cut
Death Stranding Director's Cut

Death Stranding Director's Cut

Enhanced Exploration and New Tools

The Death Stranding Director’s Cut elevates your journey with expanded exploration mechanics and innovative tools. Traverse the hauntingly beautiful landscapes with newfound ease, thanks to the introduction of the cargo catapult and buddy bot. These additions significantly cut down on travel time and enhance your ability to deliver cargo efficiently, making each mission smoother and more engaging. As you explore, you’ll discover new areas and challenges that seamlessly blend with the original content, offering a fresh experience while preserving the essence of Hideo Kojima’s unique vision.

Immersive and Expansive Missions

In the Death Stranding Director’s Cut, players will find an array of new missions and activities designed to deepen the narrative and increase engagement. These missions include new combat challenges and stealth-inspired scenarios, adding layers to the game’s storytelling. The additional content is crafted to enrich the plot without overwhelming players with complexity. This makes it perfect for gamers who cherish unraveling a storyline piece by piece, immersing themselves in the game’s world during their limited gaming time.

Enhanced Visuals and Player Experience

With updated graphics and improved performance, the Death Stranding Director’s Cut ensures that every moment is captivating. The visual enhancements amplify the eerie beauty of the game’s environments, pulling you further into its mysterious atmosphere. The game offers a tailored experience, thanks to options like a new very easy mode for those who prefer to focus on the story and exploration without the worry of intense encounters. It’s a thoughtful upgrade for those seeking a balance between immersive visuals and a relaxing gaming experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Have Questions About Death Stranding?

Is it just a "Walking Simulator"?

While walking is the core, it is a “Tactical Traversal” game. You are constantly managing weight, stamina, and equipment. There is also combat and stealth, but the true challenge is the world itself.

What are the "BTs"?

BTs are the invisible, ghostly entities that haunt the world. Dealing with them is a high-stakes “Stealth Puzzle.” For the Resilient Player, the game’s tension builds slowly, allowing you to react strategically rather than impulsively.

Do I need to be "Always Online"?

While you can play offline, the game is 100% better online. Seeing the structures and help of other players is the core of the “Strand” experience. It’s about feeling less alone in a lonely world.

How does the "Director’s Cut" differ?

The Director’s Cut adds new tools (like the cargo catapult and ramps), new missions, and a firing range. For the Investment Gamer, it offers the most “Beefy” and feature-rich version of the game’s systems.

Does it run well on PC and PS5?

It is one of the best-optimized games in recent years. On PS5, the DualSense controller haptics allow you to actually feel the terrain through the triggers, providing a high-quality “Tactical ROI” for your senses.

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