What the Hell Is Death Stranding Even About?

If you’ve arrived, it means you’ve likely watched the entire 10-minute trailer for Death Stranding 2, edited by Hideo Kojima, which will be released ahead of schedule on June 26. There is a lot of curiosity among many: what exactly is the story behind Hideo Kojima’s Death Stranding?

Warning for those who haven’t played the initial game: This discussion will delve into minor details about Death Stranding’s plot. If you’re as puzzled as we are, let’s examine the core elements of Hideo Kojima’s latest creation: Norman Reedus and his peculiar baby.

Can we break this down for everyone? I propose we clarify all aspects, using straightforward and easily understandable language.

Think of this as a Death Stranding FAQ.

What Is Up With The Shadow People?

Let’s delve right into Death Stranding, but first, let’s examine its atmosphere and environment. Death Strnding is a post-apocalyptic sci-fi video game in a desolate U.S. following the emergence of strange creatures called ‘Beached Things’ (BTs). These peculiar entities distorted scientific laws, transforming the world into something alien.

In the metaphysical world created by Kojima named “The Beach,” which resembles a form of purgatory, are beings known as BTs. These are spirits that seem to be waiting for transition to the true land of the deceased. It’s unclear what Kojima is using, but these BTs certainly don’t appear content. As they consist of antimatter, any interaction with a living being results in an immediate and devastating event called a voidout, which can make an entire city inhospitable in mere seconds.

In Death Stranding, the world is characterized by a unique phenomenon known as Timefall – rain that accelerates aging. Anything it touches decays almost instantaneously, from buildings and vehicles to living beings like humans. This is why the America we visit in the game has turned into a desolate wasteland of dust and ash, with Sam traversing the landscape while carrying a baby on his back.

In Death Stranding’s universe, the atmosphere is bleak and frightening. Due to some catastrophic event, humanity has retreated to underground shelters, subsisting primarily through delivery services to stay alive. It was quite striking when this game emerged amidst a global pandemic scenario.

So Is It A Walking Simulator?

Here enters the character portrayed by Norman Reedus, who serves as a courier; in other words, he’s known as a Porter in the game Death Stranding.

In a future scenario, Sam serves as a delivery person similar to FedEx, traveling across the land to bring packages, pizzas, and medications to individuals who have no other ways of acquiring them. Notably, his clientele includes notable figures such as Conan O’Brien, Junji Ito, Sam Lake, among others, making occasional appearances.

Indeed, if you find yourself tempted to voice your discontent on Reddit and Twitter about Death Stranding, let me assure you it’s never been just a typical walking simulator. Unlike the casual strolls in many indie games on Steam, Death Stranding offers an immersive action-adventure experience. You’ll face challenges uniquely tailored to your playstyle: opt for peaceful navigation, engage in firefights with rogue MULEs guarding valuable cargo, or even confront fearsome BTs in thrilling boss battles.

Intriguingly, the game presents opportunities beyond traditional gameplay mechanics—you could construct bridges and contribute to a network of safe paths. The choice is yours: whether you prefer tactical combat tactics or offbeat solutions like employing bodily fluids against the enigmatic Shadow People, the decision is in your hands.

Fundamentally, you’re mending a fractured universe – one devoid of internet connectivity. Intriguingly, Kojima incorporates this concept by granting players approvals like ‘Likes’, ‘Hearts’, and diverse in-game affirmation systems to stimulate their dopamine production.

How Does Online Work?

As a gamer, I can tell you that Death Stranding is an intriguing game, built around Hideo Kojima’s unique “Social Strand System.” This gameplay mechanic aims to foster a connected, social environment by linking players together in a single, continuous world, all managed through a shared server. It’s like we’re all explorers in the same vast digital landscape.

Look at that rope you see over yonder? Yes, it was put there by a player from the Philippines so he could ascend to the elderly gentleman on top of the hill. As for that ladder serving as a bridge across a significant chasm, I’d wager it’s mine—I must have carelessly left it behind while fleeing from BTs.

If this scenario seems reminiscent, it shares a resemblance with Dark Souls, where you notice indications of other gamers’ actions. Contrastingly, in Death Stranding, rather than observing ghostly signs of demise and juvenile ‘Liar Ahead’ warnings, you engage with structures and artifacts left by fellow players. The concept here is fostering camaraderie – assisting one another without ever having a face-to-face encounter.

While it might not be groundbreaking, there are times when it truly does the trick. So, kudos to the ingenious mind behind those zip-lines by the Wind Farm – you’ve significantly simplified our lives.

What About the Baby?

Absolutely, the baby on Norman Reedus’ chest actually functions as a detector for BTs, entities that are typically undetectable by human sight.

These Bridge Babies (BBs) serve as instrumental tools; they are created from mothers whose brains have ceased functioning and are nurtured in artificial womb enclosures, filled with placenta-like substances. This setting replicates the conditions found in a natural mother’s womb, providing a sense of security for the BB while it is tended to by its designated Caretaker. It’s quite thought-provoking to contemplate the creative mind behind such ideas as Kojima, one might wonder how he rests peacefully at night.

Given that BBs are located between life and death, they hold a distinct talent for traversing the boundary between these two worlds.

Essentially, Sam’s bond with his Bridge Baby (BB) forms the heart of Death Stranding’s emotional narrative, without revealing crucial plot details.

What’s Up With Mads Mikkelsen?

In the initial installment of the game, Mads Mikkelsen portrayed a significant character, but regrettably, he won’t reprise his role in the upcoming sequel. We’d like to avoid spoilers, but let me just say that Mikkelsen’s character was crucial to the first game’s plot unfolding. If you thought Death Stranding was merely about strolling and delivering goods, Mads Mikkelsen’s character will definitely challenge that notion.

What’s Troy Baker’s Character Got to Do With Anything Here?

Spoiler Alert: Higgs is back, and he’s angrier than ever.

In case you haven’t played the initial game, Higgs can be seen as Sam’s ultimate adversary – a nihilist with a desire to activate a button that would wipe out all human life. Quite intense, isn’t it? However, in Death Stranding 2, he has taken his antagonism to another level, gathering followers who share his twisted ideology to advance his destructive agenda. As for his style, at least it seems to have evolved a bit.

So What’s Up With Death Stranding 2?

In the sequel to Death Stranding, known as Death Stranding 2, we find ourselves set in a timeline where Sam has managed to reunite America’s fractured internet network. With an abundance of resources at their disposal, humanity is now venturing beyond America and aiming to establish connections in other continents, specifically South America, marking a significant expansion of their reach.

In the aftermath of the BT catastrophe, this unexplored area remains shrouded in enigma, with more questions than solutions. To unravel these mysteries, Sam sets off on a fresh adventure, accompanied by familiar faces such as Fragile (Lea Seydoux) and Heartman (Nicolas Winding Refn), along with new companions like Elle Fanning’s character Tomorrow and Shioli Kutsuna’s Rainy.

Since Kojima couldn’t help but include a nod to Metal Gear Solid, he’s added a fresh character that shares many features with Snake, even sporting the same bandana.

RELATED: Death Stranding 2 – All Characters So Far

While details about Death Stranding 2’s narrative remain scarce, one fact is clear: it promises to be as enigmatic as its predecessor. A word of caution – it would be beneficial to play Death Stranding 1 before diving into the sequel to avoid getting overwhelmed by the intricate terminology such as Chiral Networks, Sticks, and Ropes that are prevalent in this unique world.

There’s no need to fret if you feel confused – even dedicated Death Stranding enthusiasts are puzzled by what Hideo Kojima is currently working on.

Without a doubt, the newest trailer is stunning, and I’m eagerly anticipating what awaits us in Death Stranding 2.

2025-03-10 19:43