Death Stranding has been the source of many divisive reviews, not only from critics, but from users as well. Debate on whether this is uncalled for review bombing aside, it’s undoubtedly a game unique from any other this year. Whilst I’ve been playing through in my own attempts to review the game (score pending), I’ve noticed I enjoy Death Stranding much more when I play it a certain way.
The game is split into several different episodes, and I would say this is a suggestion on how it should be played, in fact. I feel as though many of the people most excited about Death Stranding have already completed it, likely by death defying marathons of holding L2 & R2 for days on end, barely standing to reach the toilet across the room, or the snacks balanced precariously next to the TV stand. Sadly, I’ve found this is the worst possible way to enjoy Death Stranding.
Slow things down, drink it all in
The enjoyment of life is in the journey, not the destination. Stop rushing, and enjoy helping your fellow porters a bit at a time, drinking in the fantastic views along the way.
Some games, this can be done with, especially shorter, adrenaline fuelled experiences. Multiplayer shooters, battle royales, MOBAs and so on. However, as I’ve found during my continuing playthrough, my view on how to enjoy Death Stranding the most is by playing it in an episodic fashion. An hour or two at the end of a long day, sat relaxing and sipping on hot chocolate, as I plod determinedly through the many obstacles of Death Stranding, has truly been a joy this past week, and a way of playing I have no intention of stopping. I’ve been feeling like each of these ‘episodes’ in my series of Sam’s journey begins and ends afresh, with something accomplished each night. Without – however, turning the 70+ hour game into an unbearable slogfest of boredom to reach the next cut-scene.
While my review will be taking my longer than many other players, I feel this is truly the best way to play, and have been thoroughly enjoying my experience. It brings to light how many of us attempt to finish everything as quick as possible nowadays, rushing through in hype and excitement. This misses one of the main messages of Death Stranding, the enjoyment of life is in the journey, not the destination. Stop rushing, and enjoy helping your fellow porters a bit at a time, drinking in the fantastic views along the way.
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