R
ReviewerVerified
4 months ago
Kojima Productions clearly does not make games for everyone, and Death Stranding proves it. Some moments left me in awe while others left me confused and bored. I am genuinely split on whether the ambition justifies the slow stretches.
Unique, ambitious design
Uneven pacing, confusing plot
I respect Hideo Kojima's vision, but Death Stranding buried the gameplay under hours of exposition I struggled to follow. I came to play, not watch a film, and the constant interruptions wore me down. Not the experience I hoped for.
Strong production values
Overlong cutscenes, thin gameplay stretches
Kojima Productions made a game that genuinely changed how I think about traversal and connection. Death Stranding's world is haunting and the delivery loop became weirdly meditative for me. Lost a star only because the opening hours are a real slog.
Original world, unforgettable atmosphere
Very slow opening hours
Kojima Productions rewards players who stick with it. Once Death Stranding opened up, the sense of rebuilding connections across a broken world really clicked for me. Knocked off one star for the occasionally clunky menus, but I would recommend it.
Deeply rewarding once it opens up
Clunky menus
There is no other developer making games like Kojima Productions. Death Stranding's sound design and asynchronous online system stuck with me long after the credits. It is not flawless and the inventory management got tedious, but I admire the courage.
Bold design, superb audio
Tedious inventory management