Death Stranding Review PS4

Death Stranding Review PS4

Released in 2019, Death Stranding on the PS4 is a highly polarizing and unique game created by Hideo Kojima. It is praised for its innovative mechanics, emotional story, and stunning visuals, but many critics and players found the slow pace and repetitive “fetch-quest” gameplay tedious. 

Gameplay

The central gameplay loop is based on delivering cargo across a post-apocalyptic United States, which has been shattered by a supernatural event called the Death Stranding. 

• The core mechanics revolve around traversal and resource management. You must meticulously plan your routes, carry cargo, and maintain balance while crossing a rugged, desolate landscape.
• Enemies and threats include human bandits (MULES) who want your cargo and supernatural entities called Beached Things (BTs). Encounters with BTs create tense, stealth-based gameplay that uses your chest-mounted baby pod (BB) to detect them.
• An innovative multiplayer system called the “Strand System” allows players to indirectly affect each other’s worlds by leaving behind structures like ladders, bridges, and generators. Other players can use these structures and leave “Likes” as a form of in-game currency and appreciation.
• The experience is slow-paced, especially in the opening hours. Later in the game, new tools and vehicles are introduced that can speed up travel and provide more combat options. 

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Story and themes

True to Hideo Kojima’s style, Death Stranding’s narrative is complex, cinematic, and packed with surreal elements.

• The plot follows courier Sam Porter Bridges (played by Norman Reedus) as he attempts to reconnect isolated communities by restoring a communication network.
• Thematic elements explore human connection, isolation, and hope in the face of despair. The story is told through lengthy, well-acted cutscenes featuring a star-studded cast that also includes Mads Mikkelsen, Léa Seydoux, and Guillermo del Toro.
• Reception to the story is mixed, even among those who enjoy the game. Some find the plot deeply moving and philosophical, while others find it convoluted and overly indulgent. 

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PS4 performance and graphics

For a game that pushed the technical limits of the 

PlayStation 4, Death Stranding generally performed well, thanks to the Decima engine.

• Performance on the base PS4 is at a locked 1080p resolution and a steady 30 frames per second (fps), with minimal performance drops.
• On the PS4 Pro, players had the option of a “Quality mode” for upscaled 4K (via checkerboard rendering) at 30 fps or a “Performance mode” at a lower resolution but a smoother 60 fps.
• The visual fidelity is consistently praised, with lifelike character models and a stunning, often melancholic, representation of the broken American landscape. 

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Final verdict

Ultimately, Death Stranding is a uniquely ambitious title that defies easy categorization.

• Those who enjoy it are rewarded with a contemplative, emotional, and original experience that finds profound beauty in the mundane task of delivery.
• Those who are bored or frustrated by the slow pace and repetitive mechanics find the game to be more of a “walking simulator” than a thrilling adventure.
• Who is this game for? If you are a fan of Hideo Kojima’s previous work (especially the quirky tone and lengthy cutscenes), appreciate artistic and unconventional games, and have the patience to invest in a long and deliberately slow burn, you will likely love it. If you prefer fast-paced action and traditional gameplay loops, Death Stranding might not be for you.