Death Stranding (2019 Video Game) User Reviews (114)

A wild amazing gaming experience.

[cruise01 · 10/10 · 4 June 2020]

Death Stranding (5 out of 5 stars).

Death Stranding is a breathtaking, amazing, and is a great storytelling game from Hideo Kojima. I loved the first few Metal Gear Solid games excluding the fifth one. Death Stranding could be the start of a new franchise with its gameplay, storytelling, and incredible visuals. The game is amazing. Action fans or gamers with a short attention span may not enjoy it as much. The game does require patience cause it does have a slow moving gameplay and story for the first half of the plot. It is not a bad thing. I loved the slow building story that takes place in an apocalyptic world where civilization has collapsed. And people are living underground in a post stations. While they are cut off from the rest of everyone.

The plot follows Sam (Norman Reedus) who is a porter. A delivery guy who carries packages to other stations. Trying to reconnect the United Cities of America. Hoping they can rebuild civilization again. While he faces against BT's which are the dead from a different afterlife dimension that is trying to wreck havoc if you run into them. Or running into terrorists or bad guys known as mules. The plot is great. It does have a complex storytelling. Which may be confusing at first with a lot to take in. It is a 60 hour plus game which will eventually explain and have plenty of time to develop the story. There are surprises and twists which is emotionally satisfying. The game does have an emotional theme which you can relate to the characters.

The gameplay does require patience. The first half of the game may be repetitive with the delivery orders of going back and forth in a large open world map. Where you may have to walk and climb up mountains. Trying to avoid BTs. If you take your time. It will grow on you. I loved it. The setting and the visuals are beautifully done with the landscapes of the apocalyptic world. I also did some side orders just for fun cause I was enjoying the landscape. You have gear to help you in your travels. Weapons to help face against Bts or bad guys. While trying to maintain a heavy load cargo on your back. And there are also vehicles that can help out as well. Eventually, there will be roads built which you can contribute online to other players to build roads, bridges, or have climbing anchors set.

The cast ensemble is great. Norman Reedus, Mads Mikkelsen, Lea Seydoux, Margaret Qualley, Troy Baker, and Lindsay Wagner motion voice capture and they all did great. Evan Guillermo del Toro had his likeness in it. The soundtrack and music score is amazing and great. Definitely, made one of the best post apocalyptic games.

The controls are easy to handle. Took a little while to get used too but it was easy to grasp. The game does pick up on action. And it does get you on the edge. The climax of the game was epic. And exciting.

The visuals is breathtaking and life like. It was hard to look away from this game. I would love to see more sequels. The story did have a good conclusion.

Overall, Death Stranding is one amazing game. One great epic storytelling. Awesome fun game play. And the story does leave a lasting taste after it is over.

A slow burning masterpiece.

[shivamghe · 10/10 · 9 November 2019]

Death Stranding excels in more ways than one, while also being too obnoxious and repetitive at times. Particularly the gameplay. The loop at a certain point will become extremely annoying, you'll be praying for a perhaps future patched in fast travel system. But then again, walking through a scenic landscape while planning out your route and cargo, with Low Roar playing in the background is something else. There is so much fun to be had here. The first 20 or so hours for me were addicting. I was hooked to the cinematics and the wonderful gameplay dynamic. Always at awe looking at the world from atop a mountain. The visuals never got old. Add to that the walking mechanics themselves are so very well done. Balancing system to most might seem useless, but it adds a whole new dimension of tension into the game. You'll be constantly scanning areas and judging if you can make that leap or climb that slope. If you can cross that stream or just walk a few more meters to your nearest propped ladder or opening. While your bike climb that? Can your truck vroom over that rock. So many things to do with this simple gameplay loop, that it becomes engrossing aswell as addicting.

It's a shame to see 0-1/10 reviews by other people. A 0 or 1, heck anything below a 5 signifies an incomplete, absolutely broken and unplayable product, which Death Stranding is not. That title belongs to road of redemption or big rigs.

This might be the most polished game on the planet. There is so much fun to have here.

The narrative is intriguing and compelling. Be it a little convoluted, but its coherent nonetheless. If you keep up with the emails, the story unfolds pretty well without any hiccups. I have seen people ask questions about the story thatve already been answered via the main story and most through the emails. They explain terminologies for most words. So be sure to check your archives when you have the time.

Overall. GOTY 2019. Even after finishing the game, I want to go back to that beautiful world. Those fantastic characters, BB (special attachment I can never forget).

In a weeks time, the empty world will be populated with player built structures. So you can expect the tedious gameplay loop to become far less tedious.

30 years as a gamer, probably best game ever played

[nanoulis7 · 10/10 · 5 September 2020]

Along with The Witcher 3, Zelda Ocarina of time, the first Red Dead Redemption and Final Fantasy 7 (the original) this goes directly to my top 5 list. An absolute masterpiece

Game of 2019

[mitog · 10/10 · 8 November 2019]

Death stranding is a creative game with great actors and a great story. I love the gameplay it's different from other games these days. It's beautiful to look at the landscape of the world. It's unlike anything you played before.

What a game

[julesverne-72571 · 10/10 · 9 November 2019]

I'm playing video games since the 80s, grew up with sonic, played super mario 64 like crazy and was hooked with my first PlayStation and the first Tomb Raider, Resident Evil and Silent Hill. Video games, like music and movies, have always been an important part in my life. But with almost everything in life nothing lasts forever, and years ago I reached a point where nothing felt worth it anymore to play. It's not that I didn't feel the urge to play, but there was nothing satisfying out there. And then came Dark Souls and Bloodborne. It was all I've ever wanted but never could have imagined such a concept and gameplay. Well, with death stranding I'm feeling very much like when I discovered the soulsborne games. It's just one step ahead in every matter. Of course the graphics are pretty awesome, but what really flashed me was the gameplay. In all those years I've never got anything even close to that experience. It's only my opinion, but this game has next level mechanics, incredibly precise, you just feel every step and move. That's why it's so entertaining to just get with your cargo through an area and you piss yourself when the BTs or Mules are coming. Because it's not just running away like in every other game. It's like running away irl, where you have to consider every obstacle. It's goosebumps when the enemy is literally flying above you and you have to press R1 to hold your breath, move slowly forwards but consider the balance of your cargo, take care of your BB and think where is a good point to inhale again. And please quick, because the TimeFall is ruining your equipment. There is no other game like this.

Not for all, but incredible for some.

[prstohn · 10/10 · 10 November 2019]

Pure zen for some people, perhaps boring for others. Fantastic storytelling all around.

Come on Lou. One last delivery!

[tedscoasterchannel · 10/10 · 1 June 2020]

When this game was revealed, it certainly looked interesting. But i wasn't intrigued by it, it just looked too dark and f...ed up for me at the time. But as more material was shown and i matured, i began to like what i saw. I bought the game on day one and began to play, but somehow, i wasn't hooked. So it just sat there on my hard drive for a couple of months. Until i decided to give it another shot. And this time the game got me. I love games with a slow pacing and long cutscenes and this game was exactly what i was looking for. Something to relax after a hard day at work (i work at a hospital and it was kinda stressful in the recent time, due to a certain viral event). I loved the core gameplay loop, walking through this beautiful landscape, sneaking through mule territory and escaping the BTs. Combined with the awesome soundtrack and stunning graphics, the gameplay made a very good time. But what stands out the most is the story. While being extremely cryptic at the beginning, Kojima manages to combine all the parts into an epic and extremely emotional ending. The characters are so unique compared to other games. And one of them stands out in particular: Clifford Unger. In my opinion, this is the best written antagonist i have ever seen, games and movies combined. In the first war chapter, i was actually really scared of him, in the second, i wanted to know more about him. And in the third? I actually felt sorry for him. Especially when it is revealed, that the BB he was looking for has been Sam all the time and not Lou. And then there is that heartbreaking last delivery you have to do. No mules, no BTs, no timefall. And still it was the hardest mission of the entire game. It just might be my favourite mission in all of gaming. This game might not be my favourite game of all time (this title goes to God of War 2018), but no other game managed to make me cry like this one did, even more than Valiant Hearts: The Great War, which i didn't think could be topped at being emotionally destroying.

Thank you Kojima!

Not For Everyone. Like, I'm Serious, Maybe It's Not For You.

[colorthekid · 8/10 · 28 December 2019]

Say what you want about Death Stranding, it's easily one of the most adventurous and daring games of the decade.

It's not perfect, it's not straight to the point, it's a tad frustrating at times, but it's 100% Hideo Kojima.

Norman Reedus/10

Like No Other

[tonyclarkeaxii · 10/10 · 9 January 2020]

This is a fresh new idea and a brand new type of game. The lore is great and the acting is perfect. The sound design is so particular that it seems that every stitch in a character's clothing has its own sound effect. One of the best games this generation and a brand new type of gameplay. It certainly is a marmite game, but it's definitely worth playing, even if it hasn't caught your eye as of yet.

Bold, unique and amazing

[851222 · 10/10 · 15 April 2020]

Greetings from Lithuania.

I just finished the story of "Death Stranding" (2019). I'm still playing to reach 100%, but already i can say few things. The whole idea inside of me saying that i probably won't like this "slow based boring convoluted mess" as many and many and many reviews said upon its release was gone in like 20 min after i started playing "Death Stranding", almost 5 months after its release now. This game at the end of the day blew me away.

This is one of the most polished games i have ever played - and i do play lot of VG. I mean in whole 58 hours that took me to complete the story, this game never crashed or i ran into a single bug or frame drop - this is landmark achievement. Then there are gorgeous graphics. Motion capture is probably one of the if not the best made in video games ever. Music is amazing. Story was epic, and yes a difficult to understand all of it. But that did not made it bad. Acting was superb especially by Léa Seydoux and Mads Mikkelsen who were stood out for me. Other were good, but not on the level of these two. Only Mr. Guillermo del Toro should probably stay with directing - he is not an actor and it showed here. But this is a small issue. And then there is a man behind it all - Hideo Kojima, who here created of the most unique (if not the most) games that i have ever played. I loved the whole multiplayer aspect of sharing with others, like system and etc.

All in all, i loved "Death Stranding", probably surprisingly to myself. This is not a perfect game, and its story is confusing i admit, but still as a whole package this is bold, unique, superbly involving and addictive game that i have played in many, many years.

A unique game

[jebyvyson · 6/10 · 15 November 2019]

Ever since the teaser trailer dropped on Sony E3 2016, I was really confused yet interested to see what is it about. More trailer and gameplay clips came out as years pass and I, well the world, still doesn't know what the heck this game is. Finally, the game came and I want to see what's the big deal.

Positives: The graphics and visual effect in this game is beautiful, well-shot cinematography, and has some good-known celebrities. This game felt like something out of a Netflix movie, probably it's the tone (but that's just my opinion). The game do get a bit intense at some points when you're going against your enemies.

Negatives: There are some points in the game where I would have rated 8 or 7 stars if most of the game didn't feel boring. First, I get hooked into the game, then I got bored, then hooked again, to bored. Most have to do with delivering stuff to point A to point B and you do that alot in this game and it gets so repetitive I want to fall asleep. The story is an interesting one, you get confused and while playing it you slowing began to understand Death Stranding and more to get confused on (that's just probably me). I admire the game for being weird, but what"s frustrating about it is that it's in the way of taking it seriously. If the was a movie, it'll be the movie that spark my eyes only to be seen once.

Maybe I don't fully get it, maybe it's what I expected, I don't know. Video games is art in it's own way how you create them. It's not going to be everyone's cup of tea or something to be obsess about to many eyes and that's fine. The game is weird and it was meant to be weird, just not everyone's weird taste...that's it.

Both amazing and terrible

[heath-jeffrey · 5/10 · 10 January 2023]

There is so much to love in this game, with its mind-bending setting, deep storytelling, some of the most unique 'enemies' and technologies ever, and solid casting and acting.

Unfortunately, the gameplay is equally amongst the most boring ever. The main character being a courier sounds special at first, but you quickly discover that it's just an excuse for the worst of modern, 'open-world' gameplay: a gazillion pointless item collecting quests. Pick this up and return it, now pick that up and return it, and on and on and on.

Most disappointing are four aspects of the game that reinforce how boring the collection routine is:

1) The more you collect in one run, the wonkier the controls get and/or the slower the character moves. And if you fall, all those items get damaged. Feels unique, and realistic, at first. But after the 100th trip it's just annoying, and there a thousands of trips more still to go.

2) The very 'enemies' that make the game so unique are impossible or very difficult to defeat, depending on the stage of the game, causing you to either: (a) spend 30min inch by inch edging forward, in sneak mode, holding your breath while also monitoring your stamina, to avoid an enemy you can only occasionally see; or (b) risk dying and losing everything you're carrying while fighting them, or damaging everything even if you win.

3) If you like the idea of stealth and sneaking, too bad, because there's also a feature built into the game that increasingly damages everything you're carrying the longer you are outside. So sneaking around the enemies damages your goods as much or even more than fighting them.

4) As you build up your character you unlock tonnes of unique tools, vehicles, weapons, and more. Many of them seem to counteract points 1-3 above, greatly improving the gameplay. Yet, in many cases, there are features in the game that make those tools frustrating or annoying to use anyway. The main aspect being vehicles, which can allow you to carry up to 5 times or more than you normally can. Yet both terrain and vehicle physics are designed to make most it almost impossible to use them in most places.

A final aspect that's disappointing, but not quite so frustrating, is that you can build a certain thing (no spoilers about what) that seems like it will greatly improve your travels. But to do so, you need *hundreds of thousands* of resources that are generally found in batches of 500-1000. So it takes *ages and ages* of additional repetitive gameplay. And once you finish, you discover that by that point you've already completed everything that it would have helped you with anyway. Would've been better to ignore it!

So, for me, 10/10 for story and setting, and I'm playing right to the end for that. But 4/10 or less for gameplay. (nb. Probably a 7/10 each for music and graphics).

Play it first, judge later.

[danspicuzza · 10/10 · 11 November 2019]

It's simply perfect. Beautiful game, awesome developer work, awesome acting.

Worth a try

[jamiezugu · 10/10 · 10 November 2019]

Like many I was on the fence about this game, i always liked the medal gear games even though I was never a die hard fan. Nevertheless I've always respected Kojima and I wanted to try the game but I heard people calling it a "walking simulator" and seeing more gameplay I was starting to get put off by the game. I'm the type of person who likes to go out of their comfort zone so I picked it up I'm about 30 hrs In and I'm loving it so far. I understand why some people think it's boring but for me it was like a breath fresh air it's like something you've never played before. If you're the type of player who likes long thought provoking games this is for you.

A truly unique masterpiece.

[D4mnDaniel · 10/10 · 10 November 2019]

To begin with, I love most Kojima's games which is of course including famous MGS series. I really love that Kojima is following the idea that he want to do something unique, something that wasn't made before. Not only that he invents something new to games mechanics but story itself kicks in so hard that you look at it with admiration. Death Stranding - a new Hideo Kojima's game that motivates people to come together and make connections with each other. Of course this game isn't for every one, you may find it boring because this game isn't fun or entertaining like other games because of the gameplay loop and simply delivering stuff (like for me it was fun). But the story, damn it's so impressive. I don't have words to even describe my emotions what I felt when I played through it. It was like: "seriously? SERIOUSLY? here it is how... damn... crazy..."

Death Stranding - is a brand new unique experience that necessary need to try it. Sadly not everyone will enjoy it, but for me it was amazing.

A Masterpiece for Exclusive Gamers

[faisalfaves · 10/10 · 9 November 2019]

Presentation : 10 Direction : 10 Game-play : 10 Story : 9 Graphic : 10 Score : 10 "A Must play for Lonelies!"

Original world, dull gameplay

[watchm-44290 · 8/10 · 17 January 2022]

It's hard to draw any conclusions from this game. The gameplay itself did not give me pleasure. But I also didn't want to turn off and quit the game.

Pros: great atmosphere and original unusual world, great graphics and great animation, sometimes captivating gameplay, very pleasure music.

Cons: plot presentation, not convenient control.

In my opinion: this story could have been told in a simpler manner, without overloading with unnecessary terminology and the amount of pathos. And history would only benefit from this.

Strange perplexing game

[burnzyburns · 8/10 · 1 April 2021]

The pros - the game play. I loved it and even despite it being the low point of the game to some, I really enjoyed the gameplay. I had a fun time making deliveries and traversing the world as well as the combat which is challenging but rewarding. A mini spoiler, the last few episodes of the game have boss fights - a nice inclusion. I didn't find the gameplay to ever be boring but maybe that's because I loved how original and fresh it felt. Majority of my rating goes there.

The con - the story and the length of the campaign. I'm not exactly sure what the hell I went through in a mind boggle of a story. I'm sure there is some deep meaning but I found it incredibly boring after a while. It all went on for far too long and the dialogue becomes an absolute buzz kill. There is some great performances and I really liked the main character Sam but they really stretched the story for way too long. I didn't find the story intriguing, rather I just saw it as some massive art piece that is meant for a certain crowd of people.

The game play, and the help with online structures is awesome, but the story and campaign got old for me and it's run time is a tad too long.

A unique and beautiful masterpiece

[James0987 · 10/10 · 11 August 2020]

I've never played anything like this, I've never seen anything like this. This game can get repetitive at times, but the story just kept me hooked from beginning to end. It felt more like an experience then simply playing a video game. An experience that I'll remember for a long time

May I have some more

[admiralperez · 10/10 · 5 December 2019]

I bought this on day of released, I just finished still on the credits. I did not want this to end. I really enjoyed this game. Visually stunning with a story that had me on the edge, thinking, and sad, too close to crying. When I thought it was finished it was still going, awesome. Game had different elements like no other. I rate it 10. I wanna go replay on hard mode now and read every bit of detail. I don't get the hate and jealously. Pokemon sword and shield got a high 9 from IGN but DS got a 6 something. They fake news. Pokemon is rehash and needs new elements and audio haha. Thanks Hideo Kojima. Death stranding will always be in my heart. I can't wait for what you make next.

6 for graphics and BB

[mariamelkott · 6/10 · 10 May 2020]

There are many issues with the game. It feels empty and boring for the first 10 hours of gameplay. The only good thing about it is Norman , Mads and BB and that emotional ending. But i won't play this game for a second time.

Overrated

[singercommunications · 1/10 · 10 July 2023]

I wanted to like this. I really did. I have tried twice to play it. Pros, The graphics are pretty good, and the character acting is good. It's all downhill from there. The story is a trainwreck. The pace is boring. The controls suck. The fetch quests that compromise 85% of the game are just irritating. I really don't understand how it has the ratings it has, how it won awards, or how there is anyone excited about a second one. The idea that the creator is trying to form a new genre of game around this and the fact that this many people like it is frankly terrifying me for the future of gaming.

Underrated masterpiece

[Badr90s · 9/10 · 3 October 2021]

As usually when it's a kojima game, powerful story top-notch characters revolutionary gameplay mechanics, Cliff unger (mads) killed it ! He was the key of this game strength therefore well deserved best performance award, despite all that the only reason of not giving this game a 10 is the slow pacing in the middle of campaign duo to the repititive gameplay.

Unlike Anything We Have Ever Seen

[tslinky · 10/10 · 15 November 2019]

Death Stranding is definitely not for everyone, mainly due to it's gameplay. But when you get about 10 hours or so in, the game progresses so much faster to the point you are literally zip lining across mountains.

Story is super complex and interesting, if it was a film or tv show I could easily see it being up there with shows such as Game Of Thrones.

The real selling point is it's amazing graphics that sometimes I thought the landscape I was seeing was real.

Overall this game isn't fun in that you go around shooting people to death, it's fun is in it's beautiful scenery and complex traversal systems that range from bikes and as far as a fast travel system.

Overall this game is a masterpiece, but you will only find it a masterpiece if you are willing to go through it's slow yet enjoyable gameplay and story.

Thoroughly amazing game!

[decyther · 10/10 · 11 November 2019]

First off, I'm 45, started gaming when I was around 5 years old on an Atari 400.. Never before have I played a game this gorgeous to look at or amazing to play. Nigh on everything in this game has been created with the utmost dedication and care, from the lore and Easter eggs to the way you walk over rocky terrain.

Been following this game throughout its development and to be honest I wasn't overly convinced as I've never really "clicked" with Kojima's other games. It wasn't till the last few weeks that I decided to pre-order it. To say the least I am so glad I did now. Something about it just hooked me, there are so many things I just love. Things like how the multiplayer aspect is implemented like finding a generator in a remote but extremely handy location left by another player and being able to "like" it as a way of showing appreciation.

Yes, it is a bit long winded but it is as amazing or as boring as you make it. If you go into it convinced it is going to be crap then that is how it will be. Go into it with at least an open mind and you will be blown away by the storytelling, the grand vistas, the suspense of avoiding BTs and the adrenaline rush of getting away from them when they do attack!