death stranding
death stranding director's cut

platform: steam, playstation 5
playtime: 220 hours
status: completed
last played: jan 2023
perspective: third person
developer: kojima productions
release year: 2019

sound
    soundtrack
        somehow kojima blends the soundtrack very well into the game without it being distracting
        i have very fond memories of first playing the game with the low roar coming up
            it would be on par with a modern nostalgia
                where i can imagine my first time playing on playstation
                    but a stronger feeling when first playing on steam
        throughout the whole story, and gameplay the music is wonderfully blended into the gameplay
            i enjoyed when you would be walking around, and a song would start playing
        the music chosen fits very well
            seemed to be purpose driven instead of a random pile of mp3s
    game sound
        along with the soundtrack the game sound is tremendous
            the odradek, the radio sounds, walking into a new settlement, the guns
                all work very well, and sounds unique
    voice acting
        played in english
            wonderful voice acting by the whole cast
            whatever kojima was cooking up, worked.
    general
        all the sounds together really do blend well.
        it increases the game feeling, and experience
        unique sounds that enhance the gameplay, and immersion

acting
    for me sometimes the acting of these mocap games can ruin the immersion for me
    death stranding excutes this very well
    troy baker, mads mikkelson, norman reedus, lea seydoux, guillemore del torro, tommie earl jenkins, all have wonderful performances
        you could say those listed all really stood out to me
        honestly you could expand it to most of the cast
    no one felt out of place in their roles

design
    world
        beauitful world design, it really makes you feel like you are there walking through it all
    character
        again i feel like a broken horse, nice looking, and well designed
            higgs might be one of my favorite video game character looks of all time.
                all works so well together

plot
    i have beat this game a few times
        honestly do i know what is going on
            yes, but i also feel like i know nothing
    i am not going to sit here, just to explain the plot
        that should be experienced on your own to form your own opinions
    i enjoyed the plot, i was engaged in the story, and it really connected to me on more than a video game level
    i know that i enjoyed it very much because if someone brings it up
        i really want to talk about it, especially if i missed a plot point or so

gameplay
    this is probably the most divisive part of the whole game
        is there really gameplay?
            yes, and i enjoyed it very much
    who knew that delievery packages was so enjoyable, and stressful
        wanting to max out your stars, and getting the best rating for each delievery
    the chircal network aspect of the game is a real strength too
        it truly feels like you are building for a community and not just a solo adventurer
        it felt like i was actually doing sometime when you add to a building
            especially when it is finally built
    something would compel me to deliever someone elses packages that i would find.
    planning out a delievery to make other delieveries on the way was very rewar
    the decaying of packagages is welcomed too
        it did not feel overly agressive where i couldn't deliever anything.
        it was a good move to have packages be able to fall off of sam
            it made movement more deliberate
    the feeling of connectedness really hit home too espically since the game was played during covid
        wanting to link up everyone felt good when you did it
        wanting to take on a job for someone because you havent delievered there in a while felt good
    the traversal is really the core gameplay
        well designed
        again everything feels like you have to make a delerate action on what to do, when to brace, etc
    the gadgets are another excellent part
        throwing down a ladder to cross something felt weighty and that i could actually lose something if i dont do it correctly.
        the exo skeleton makes you feel like you are part cyborg
    car and bike mecahnics
        they can be goofy at times, but they do feel lik they belong
    gunplay
        it is good, nothing really to be a standout, or so horrible you woulndt want to play
        reminds me of metal gear solid five
            shocker
    
somehow kojima blended all these things together, and made one of my favorite games of the most ten years, but i would say it is one of my favorite games of all time. There are negatives to the game, but most games have them. i am having a hard time recalling if i truly did not like the any aspect of the game. it really did feel necessasry. i think it says a lot about a game if you want to watch others experience it, or talk about it, and death stranding is one of those games for me.