Death Stranding is an impressive game. Hideo Kojima has once again delivered a unique experience. The world map and the struggle to traverse it is the main focus of the game. Kojima Productions has managed to make traversal engaging and interesting. It can be challenging and confusing at first, but don’t let that deter you from trying something new.

The graphics and art style are immersive, painting a vivid picture of a landscape that evokes the rugged beauty of Iceland. There is a wealth of information to read, including some typical Kojima “nonsense,” but it’s also compelling and adds to the story. The story itself is emotionally captivating but likes to keep you in the dark. It’s kind of crazy how the high-level concepts of the situation are so related to the events that happened in 2020 in the real world. I highly recommend taking the time to read it. The cutscenes pick up pace in the last part of the game.

The UI can be confusing at times and some controls are unconventional, but managing gear is satisfying. Take your time with the game and don’t rush it. I thoroughly enjoyed taming the map and forming connections with bases and other players. The gear upgrades represent the only form of progression and are well executed.

I highly recommend Death Stranding.