D e at h S t r a n d i n g

There were at least a hundred moments we loved in Death Stranding, and almost all of them derived from one core mechanic: the game’s online functions.

Death Stranding would be fundamentally different (and Dying apart, living together not nearly as good) played alone. As you haul packages from one point to another you lay down structures – ladders, bridges, battery generators, and the like – to ease your journey. The game matches you with around 100 other players, and cross-populates these structures into each player’s world. By collaborating, you can build larger structures. Restoring paved roads would be a massive undertaking if everyone around you didn’t chip in.

YOU LIKE IT

As you connect more Preppers to the chiral network, more of post-apocalyptic America comes online, and more connections with other players spread across your world. Some player names pop up infrequently – on a dropped parcel here, a climbing anchor there

– but you’ll notice key players cropping up regularly.

The magical moments are when you find you’re in sync with another player, each completing one half of a zipline to make far-apart waypoints feel that closer together, or when you realise they have your back as you trudge over a mountain, exhausted, battery bleeping, and stumble across a safehouse where you can rest. This silent player interaction is always positive, and you’re always grateful. You’ll reach the top of a cliff and take a moment to throw a rope behind you. This feeling of coming together in a game where you don’t meet another player is unique. A worthy No.2.