Death Stranding

92%
Game Brain Score Based on 9,241 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • music
Death Stranding Game Cover
Starting at $12.90Buy now
Get on Steam Get on Xbox Games Store Get on Epic Games Store Get on PS Store

"DEATH STRANDING DIRECTOR'S CUT" is a revised and expanded version of the original game, offering new content and enhancements. Players who already own DEATH STRANDING can upgrade to this version at a lower price. In this game, you play as a porter tasked with reconnecting a fractured society in a world where death and life are intertwined."

  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Cloud
  • Epic Games
  • NVIDIA GeForce NOW
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

92%
Audience ScoreBased on 9,241 reviews
story1,216 positive mentions
grinding187 negative mentions
  • Death Stranding offers a unique and immersive experience, blending gameplay and storytelling in a way that feels fresh and innovative.
  • The visuals and soundtrack are stunning, creating a beautiful atmosphere that enhances the emotional depth of the game.
  • The themes of connection and perseverance resonate deeply, making players reflect on their own relationships and the importance of community.
  • The game features an overwhelming amount of cutscenes and exposition, which can disrupt the flow of gameplay and frustrate players looking for more action.
  • The core gameplay loop can become repetitive, with many players feeling that the act of delivering packages lacks variety and excitement over time.
  • Vehicle mechanics and combat can feel clunky and unrefined, detracting from the overall experience and making traversal more frustrating than enjoyable.
  • story3,493 mentions

    The story of "Death Stranding" is a complex and often convoluted narrative that explores themes of connection, isolation, and the human experience in a post-apocalyptic world. While some players find the storytelling engaging and emotionally resonant, others criticize it for being overly complicated and slow-paced, particularly in its lengthy cutscenes and exposition. Overall, the game is praised for its unique premise and rich world-building, making it a memorable experience for those willing to invest the time to unravel its mysteries.

    • “What grappled me immediately was the intricately crafted story, memorable characters, and a joyful experience in simple movement I had not gotten since playing Mario or Zelda: Breath of the Wild.”
    • “Mr. Kojima's imaginative storytelling will give you more than enough food for thought long after the end credits roll.”
    • “The story is a masterpiece of storytelling, with a gripping plot and meticulous attention to detail.”
    • “The plot is told in a frustrating drip-feed manner that can feel brutally slow and is incredibly confusing, but by the end, it feels like it was just right.”
    • “The story is often so strange and far-fetched it's hard to get into it, but the gameplay is very satisfying.”
    • “The story is convoluted and doesn't make much sense most of the time.”
  • gameplay1,896 mentions

    The gameplay of "Death Stranding" is a unique blend of traversal mechanics and package delivery, often described as a "walking simulator" but with deeper strategic elements involving route planning and resource management. While some players find the gameplay meditative and rewarding, others criticize it for being repetitive and tedious, particularly in the early hours. Overall, the game offers a distinct experience that may not appeal to everyone, but those who appreciate its unconventional mechanics and narrative depth often find it engaging and satisfying.

    • “There's a building gameplay loop; you plan out your route from point A to point B, but you also plan out point C to point D (and so on and so forth). You also have to do a lot of item management (there's an auto-arrange button if you're that lazy), and you also prep yourself against a lot of enemies.”
    • “The gameplay is interesting and unique, with a core loop that is surprisingly addictive. It combines elements of movement, planning, and resource management, making each delivery feel rewarding.”
    • “The gameplay mechanics, centered around the traversal of the landscape and the delivery of essential supplies, may sound mundane on paper, but in practice, they become deeply engrossing and satisfying.”
    • “The gameplay is painfully boring and frustrating.”
    • “The gameplay loop is slow-paced and meditative, which can be either incredibly engaging or frustratingly tedious, depending on your preferences.”
    • “The gameplay can get cumbersome but story is probably the best I have played in a long time.”
  • music828 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its haunting and atmospheric quality, with many players praising the soundtrack's ability to enhance emotional moments and complement the stunning visuals. Artists like Low Roar and Woodkid contribute significantly to the game's emotional depth, although some players express disappointment over the limited opportunities to listen to music during gameplay. Overall, the soundtrack is considered one of the game's standout features, creating a unique and immersive experience that resonates with players long after they finish the game.

    • “The soundtrack, featuring incredible artists like Woodkid and Low Roar, added a haunting, emotional depth to the beautifully crafted, atmospheric environments.”
    • “The music is easily the best part of the game.”
    • “The music choice for certain game moments actually captures Sam's feelings and lends a very surreal vibe to the game.”
    • “But what a pity you can't play any music during deliveries.”
    • “You cannot disable the awful music so you're forced to listen to horrible songs blaring in your headset.”
    • “The soundtrack is slow, melancholic, and contemplative.”
  • graphics651 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising their stunning quality and attention to detail. Players have noted the breathtaking landscapes, intricate character designs, and overall visual fidelity, often comparing them to other top-tier titles. The game's graphics not only enhance the immersive experience but also complement its atmospheric soundtrack, making it a visually captivating journey.

    • “The graphics are breathtaking, truly top-tier.”
    • “The graphics are extraordinary, showcasing breathtaking landscapes and intricate character designs, all running flawlessly on my PC.”
    • “Death Stranding is a grand achievement in game design, combining stunning visuals, exceptional sound, and innovative mechanics to create a truly unforgettable experience.”
    • “The truck was hanging in the air from the ground like Witcher's classic Roach, the old save structures didn't load sometimes, the yellow hue from terminal satellite lights was too saturated, the jungle swamp world war graphics felt so off. In the director's cut, the graphics had aliasing jittery lines when the game loads - had to restore graphics to default and then jagged is gone.”
    • “If you own a Radeon graphics card, do not buy the director's cut, as AMD messed up with their awful driver releases and any version from 22.5.2 or beyond will run the game at an absolutely awful framerate, with very jagged graphics.”
    • “While the graphics are solid, though not incredible, the landscapes you travel through are absolutely stunning.”
  • atmosphere241 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its haunting beauty and immersive quality, enhanced by a meticulously crafted soundtrack featuring artists like Low Roar and Woodkid. Players appreciate the game's stunning visuals and sound design, which together create a unique blend of melancholy and hope, making exploration feel both contemplative and emotionally engaging. Overall, the atmosphere is considered one of the game's standout features, drawing players into its richly detailed world and compelling narrative.

    • “The soundtrack, featuring incredible artists like Woodkid and Low Roar, added a haunting, emotional depth to the beautifully crafted, atmospheric environments.”
    • “The desolate landscapes, the eerie echoes of a broken society, and the hauntingly emotive score fuse together to create an atmosphere that is nothing short of breathtaking.”
    • “Through masterful storytelling, breathtaking visuals, and a hauntingly beautiful soundtrack, the game creates an atmosphere that tugs at the heartstrings and leaves a lasting impression.”
    • “The atmosphere of this game cannot be understated; there is simply nothing else out there like this game... it's not just a walking sim!”
    • “The sheer amount of feelings this game's atmosphere, set-pieces, tone, and soundtrack generated for me alone is enough for me to recommend this to anyone and everyone.”
    • “The atmosphere in this game is enveloping but does not seem as threatening as the characters imply.”
  • emotional223 mentions

    The emotional aspect of "Death Stranding" is widely praised for its profound storytelling and character development, often leading players to tears through its exploration of themes like connection, loss, and redemption. The game's atmospheric soundtrack and stunning visuals enhance the emotional journey, making players feel deeply invested in the narrative and the characters' struggles. Many reviewers describe it as a unique and heartfelt experience that resonates on a personal level, often leaving a lasting impact long after the game is completed.

    • “Ultimately, it's a story about how everyone deals with pain, guilt, and loss, and how openness to connection with others is the only thing that can save you, not just from tangible things like thirst and hunger, but from emotional self-destruction.”
    • “The emotional moments of the story were gripping thanks to their portrayal of these amazing characters, and the story itself (especially the ending, that was the best part of the whole game for me), an emotional experience that will stay with me for a long time.”
    • “The game’s landscape, filled with vast, hauntingly quiet expanses and treacherous terrains, serves as a perfect metaphor for the emotional and physical challenges we face in real life.”
    • “The story failed to engage me emotionally, leaving me feeling disconnected from the characters and their struggles.”
    • “I found the emotional moments to be forced and unconvincing, which made it hard for me to care about the outcome.”
    • “Despite the game's attempts at emotional depth, I felt nothing as I played through the narrative.”
  • grinding207 mentions

    The aspect of "grinding" in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding the gameplay loop tedious and repetitive, particularly during long delivery missions and inventory management. While some appreciate the slow-paced, meditative nature of the game and find the grind rewarding, others feel it detracts from the overall experience, leading to frustration and boredom. Ultimately, the enjoyment of the grinding elements seems to depend on individual player preferences, with some embracing the challenge while others view it as a chore.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding if you are a completionist.”
    • “A bit grindy sometimes.”
    • “Depends on how much you like grinding.”
    • “It's so frustrating and ridiculously tedious for no reason other than just to be tedious.”
    • “Every time I try to return to this game, I'm reminded of the frustrating and tedious gameplay which is entirely unrewarding and feels like a waste of time.”
    • “The gameplay loop feels so tedious and the controls are clunky as hell.”
  • optimization185 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players praising its smooth performance and impressive graphics, particularly on high-end systems, while others report significant frame drops and crashes, especially in the Director's Cut version. Many users noted that the game runs well on lower-end machines, but performance issues persist for some configurations, leading to a recommendation to stick with the original version for a more stable experience. Overall, while the game showcases excellent visual fidelity and character performances, optimization remains a contentious topic among players.

    • “The game is very well optimized on PC, very high framerate.”
    • “I haven't noticed any bugs with the game either; it's extremely well optimized for PC. I have an i9 10900K with an RTX 3080 Ti, and with the settings maxed out, my usage never really gets that high on either CPU or GPU, yet I still maintain 120+ FPS always and the detail looks amazing.”
    • “The game’s rendering engine is optimized impeccably to run exceptionally well on PCs, providing a stable frame rate and unparalleled visual fidelity.”
    • “Constant frame dips and overall terrible performance.”
    • “In a game that is so dependent on its environment and immersing yourself in the game, the poor performance just ruins the experience for me.”
    • “I didn't want to give a bad review but the optimization of the director's cut is bad at least for a PC of my specs.”
  • humor74 mentions

    The humor in "Death Stranding" is described as a blend of absurdity and cleverness, often eliciting laughter through its quirky characters and bizarre scenarios. Players appreciate the game's ability to shift from serious themes to hilariously unexpected moments, with many noting the comedic value in its dialogue and gameplay mechanics. Overall, the humor is seen as a significant aspect that enhances the experience, making the journey engaging and entertaining despite its unconventional premise.

    • “At some point though I started to focus more and more on the story, and suddenly I'm laughing my ass off at the absurdity of certain characters and how on the nose everything is.”
    • “The story is great; Kojima wants to tell his story and I really enjoyed it. Sometimes it's serious, and sometimes it's so wacky and it's just funny as hell.”
    • “Never in a game have I just smiled nonstop during it; it is so funny and fun.”
  • stability35 mentions

    Overall, the game's stability is a mixed bag; while many players report smooth performance and minimal bugs, particularly on PC and Steam Deck, others experience significant glitches and control issues that detract from the gameplay. Some users have enjoyed long sessions without crashes, while others have faced frustrating freezes and buggy mechanics, especially in vehicle interactions. The consensus suggests that while the game can run well under certain conditions, it is marred by inconsistencies that may affect the experience for some players.

    • “The experience is better on PC if you have a good PC; it is bug-free as far as I know, which is very rare nowadays.”
    • “I have experienced no glitches and no crashes.”
    • “The game runs great and will give you steady frames all day.”
    • “The controls in the game are very buggy and I'm not sure if I want to continue or wait until this issue ever shows up in patch notes.”
    • “Overall, avoid this version of the game until they fix the buggy controls, which I doubt they'll do. This game has been on Steam for about 2 years now and they pretty much don't care.”
    • “Spent 8 hours trying to get the game to progress past the load screen. The game progressed to the point where it showed my new items, but would not progress to the actual game. I finally gave up and asked for a refund from Steam but was denied as they counted my troubleshooting time as playtime.”
  • replayability23 mentions

    The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with some players praising its vast content, diverse playstyles, and the addition of new features in the director's cut that enhance replay value. However, others find it lacking due to its linearity and limited reasons to replay once completed, despite the appeal of online features and unlockable items. Overall, while some enjoy the potential for varied approaches and multiplayer elements, others feel the game may not sustain long-term replay interest.

    • “Tons and tons of content, cool items/weapons/vehicles you unlock constantly, and replayability.”
    • “The director's cut offers new features such as additional weapons, missions, and a revamped delivery system, making it even more satisfying and replayable.”
    • “The replay value is high due to the ability to play through the game with different playstyles and the inclusion of a multiplayer mode.”
    • “I don't think it has much replayability.”
    • “There is absolutely no replay value in playing this game twice.”
    • “Replay value is rather low: I see no reason to replay once finished, since the content is mostly linear.”
  • monetization20 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players frustrated by the initial prevalence of advertisements for real-world products, while others appreciate the removal of these ads in the Director's Cut and the absence of microtransactions. Many commend the game for not being a cash grab and for providing all content upfront without additional costs, highlighting its originality and after-launch support. Overall, the game is seen as a refreshing departure from the typical microtransaction-heavy model prevalent in modern gaming.

    • “I also really appreciate the after-launch support this game gets without any microtransactions.”
    • “Imagine a AAA single-player game being sold in 2019-2021 that released with all content available in the base game with no microtransactions or additional DLC locking content away.”
    • “No microtransactions, no pay-to-win, nothing.”
    • “The buttons for keeping balance and shooting + ads are the same, which leads to a frustrating experience.”
    • “Its worth mentioning that the original Death Stranding was infested with advertisements for real-world products, namely Monster and Norman Reedus's ride.”
    • “You know what this game is, it's a tech demo; it's a giant advertisement for Kojima's studio and his ability to produce/make revenue for investors.”
  • character development20 mentions

    Character development in the game receives mixed reviews, with some praising it as compelling and emotionally impactful, while others criticize it for lacking meaningful consequences and depth, particularly in the mid-game. The character designs are generally well-received, though the primary antagonist is noted as a weak point. Overall, the game is highlighted for its strong storytelling and artistic execution, appealing especially to fans of the genre.

    • “I don't know if I'd recommend this game for everyone, but the gameplay is good, the story is fantastic, and the character development is 10/10.”
    • “I still remember every cutscene, I still cry sometimes when I listen to songs from the game, and I still love character development.”
    • “For those looking for a moving, emotional experience, with exceptional music, story, and character development, I recommend this game.”
    • “There are barely any consequences, suspense, or any meaningful character development, making the mid-game quite boring.”
    • “If you're a Kojima fanboy you'll love it because it is really Kojima to the max. If you don't mind a nonsense of a story and character design and can endure long cutscenes for the sake of playing an excellent sim, this is your game.”
    • “That's usually the plot, though in some games it can be character development or exploring the world or other things.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Buy Death Stranding

Play time

42hMedian play time
62hAverage play time
40hMain story
113hCompletionist
8-110hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 75 analyzed playthroughs

Videos

Similar Games