Death Stranding: The Review

Overview

Death Stranding is one of those games that’s hard to explain without sounding like you’ve lost your mind. You’re basically a delivery guy in a broken, ghost-filled America, hiking across mountains, rivers, and ruins just to drop off packages and “reconnect the country.” Sounds weird? It is. But it’s also oddly beautiful. The game throws you into this lonely, haunting world that somehow feels peaceful and terrifying at the same time. The cast is stacked, the visuals are jaw-dropping, and the story goes places: Kojima places. It's super slow and kinda repetitive at times, but if you're into something different and don’t mind a lot of walking, this one's worth the trip.

Score: 7 out of 10

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The Positives ✅

Death Stranding really shines when it comes to how it looks and feels. The world, inspired by Icelandic landscapes, is just gorgeous with wide open plains, jagged cliffs, and endless stretches of silence that somehow manage to feel both peaceful and eerie. The dynamic weather, muddy slopes, and lifelike character models all help pull you deeper into this strange, disconnected America.

The story? Peak Kojima. It’s weird, emotional, and full of themes like isolation, connection, and the weight of being alone in a world that’s barely hanging on. It’s slow, sure, but it hits hard when it wants to. Add in stellar performances from Norman Reedus, Mads Mikkelsen, and Léa Seydoux, and the whole thing feels like you're watching a beautifully messed-up sci-fi movie you occasionally get to walk through.

The gameplay leans into the unconventional with the whole “strand system,” where players can leave behind ladders, ropes, and structures for others to use. It’s lowkey genius and adds a nice sense of community without ever needing to talk to anyone. On top of that, the atmospheric soundtrack (shoutout to Low Roar) fits perfectly—melancholic, haunting, and deeply memorable.

And once you're deep in, the upgrades start rolling in. New gear, exosuits, vehicles—it slowly makes your delivery life more bearable, even a little fun. By the time you’re cruising through the mountains in a tricked-out reverse trike with music blaring and packages stacked high, you realize: yep, I’m actually into this.

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The Negatives ⚠️

Let’s be honest, Death Stranding isn’t for everyone, and yeah, some parts straight-up drag. The mission loop boils down to “grab package, hike across hell, deliver package,” and after a while, it can start to feel like a glorified courier simulator. The pacing at the start is brutal too: it takes hours before things start clicking, and you’ll probably wonder more than once if it’s even worth the effort.

Then there’s the movement system, which tries to be immersive but ends up kinda frustrating. Tripping over a rock because you leaned too far to the left? Not the vibe. The combat also doesn’t help: it’s in the game, sure, but it feels like an afterthought compared to everything else. And really, whether you’ll enjoy this game comes down to one thing: are you okay with doing a lot of walking? Like... a lot. If slow, meditative gameplay isn’t your thing, this one might just test your patience more than your skills.

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The Experience 🎮

It took us about 65 hours to reach the end of Death Stranding, and honestly? It was one of the weirdest, slowest, and most memorable rides we’ve ever had in a game. This isn’t your typical action-packed adventure: it’s a slow burn, packed with long hikes, emotional monologues, and moments where you're just... delivering cargo through the rain while some haunting track kicks in. We didn’t always love it, but damn if it didn’t stick with us. It’s definitely not for everyone, but if you’re in the mood for something bold, moody, and completely out there, it’s worth the journey.