There are very few games that I can honestly say have stayed with me years after finishing them, but Death Stranding is one of those rare experiences. Between my 102 hours in the Director's Cut on Steam and roughly 350 hours on the original PS4 version, it's safe to say I absolutely love this game. Sitting on my desk as I write this review is the Collector's Edition BB Pod staring right back at me, along with my Sam Porter Bridges and Higgs Funko Pops. If that doesn't show how much this game means to me, I don't know what does.
Upgrading from the PS4 version to the PC Director's Cut was worth every penny. Not only does the game look even more incredible on PC, but the additional content and quality-of-life improvements make returning to the world feel fresh again. It reminded me why I fell in love with it in the first place.
The soundtrack deserves its own section because it's genuinely one of the greatest soundtracks I've ever heard in a video game. Low Roar's music is absolutely beautiful, and every song feels perfectly placed throughout the journey. There are moments where you're simply walking across the vast landscapes, rebuilding the United Cities of America, and one of their songs quietly fades in. Those moments hit differently. The combination of the scenery, the loneliness, and the music creates something that very few games have ever managed to achieve. For me, nothing tops the Death Stranding soundtrack.
Graphically, the game is stunning. I did experience a few minor graphics timeouts here and there when I first started playing the PC version, but honestly, they were so infrequent that they never took away from the experience. Once I was back in-game, I was immediately reminded why this world is one of the most beautiful environments ever created.
Playing with the DualSense controller instead of the old DualShock 4 has also been a massive upgrade. The adaptive triggers and haptic feedback make carrying cargo, traversing rough terrain, and maintaining your balance feel far more immersive than before. It's one of those improvements that you don't fully appreciate until you've experienced it for yourself.
The world itself is breathtaking. It's quiet, empty, and almost peaceful. Most of the time it's just you, BB, and your own thoughts as you trek across mountains, rivers, valleys, and open plains. Then suddenly you'll hear the scanner activate because MULE territory is nearby, instantly replacing that peaceful feeling with uneasiness. The MULEs add this strange, almost unsettling human threat to the world, while the BTs bring a completely different kind of tension. Walking through the rain while desperately trying to hold your breath as your Odradek points toward unseen danger never really stops being nerve-racking, no matter how many hours you've played.
The story is another reason this game stands out. It's one of those stories that sticks with you long after the credits roll. There are so many memorable moments, emotional highs, and genuinely surprising reveals that I found myself thinking about it weeks after finishing it for the first time.
Sam Porter Bridges is one of my favorite protagonists in gaming because, in some ways, I can relate to him. He's someone who prefers being left alone, handles problems himself, and doesn't naturally seek out connections with other people. Throughout the journey, you slowly watch him open himself up despite his reluctance, learning that even someone who wants to carry everything alone sometimes needs others. I think that's something a lot of people can relate to. Watching his character grow while still maintaining that quiet, reserved personality made him feel incredibly human.
The supporting cast is fantastic as well. Every major character has their own motivations, struggles, and emotional moments that gradually piece together the bigger picture. Kojima tells the story in a way that constantly keeps you asking questions until everything eventually clicks together.
One thing I always look forward to are the boss battles between chapters. They completely change the pace of the game and keep you on your toes. Just when you've settled into making deliveries and planning efficient routes, you're suddenly thrown into intense encounters that remind you how dangerous this world really is.
One of my favorite aspects of Death Stranding, though, is how connected you feel to other players without ever actually meeting them. Coming across a bridge, zipline network, generator, or shelter built by another player at exactly the right moment never gets old. It's such a unique multiplayer system that perfectly fits the game's themes. Likewise, I always enjoy contributing to the world myself by leaving structures and supplies behind for others.
I also love the NPC porters wandering the landscape. Whenever I come across them, I usually drop some supplies to help them out, and it's always nice receiving supplies from them in return. They're small interactions, but they make the world feel alive and reinforce the central message of helping one another.
Death Stranding isn't a game for everyone, and I completely understand why some people call it a "walking simulator." But for me, that's exactly what makes it special. The journey itself is the gameplay. Every successful delivery feels earned, every mountain climbed feels like an accomplishment, and every connection you make across America carries meaning.
Years later, it's still one of my favorite games ever made. It's beautiful, emotional, relaxing, tense, thought-provoking, and unlike anything else in gaming. Whether it's the unforgettable soundtrack, the incredible world, the unique gameplay, or the unforgettable characters, Death Stranding continues to be an experience that I recommend to anyone willing to give it the patience it deserves.
Keep on keeping on.
