Death Stranding
OPEN-WORLD ACTION-ADVENTURE VIDEO GAME (2019) by HIDEO KOJIMA'S KOJIMA PRODUCTIONS. Play as SAM PORTER BRIDGES delivering cargo across a post-apocalyptic USA fractured by supernatural 'Death Stranding' phenomenon. Genre-defining 'STRAND-TYPE' game — solo journey with asynchronous multiplayer help (players see structures + likes from others). Star-studded cast (Norman Reedus, Mads Mikkelsen, Léa Seydoux). Polarizing on release — loved for atmosphere + hated for slow gameplay. DIRECTOR'S CUT 2021; SEQUEL DEATH STRANDING 2: ON THE BEACH released 2025.
Quick facts
Category
Video Games
Type
Individual
Players
1–1
Duration
~3000 min
Where played
indoor
Country of origin
🇯🇵 Japan
Estimated origin
2019 release (Nov 2019 PS4); DC 2021; DS2 2025
Olympic
No
Popularity
major
How it works
Objective
Deliver cargo across broken America + reconnect fractured cities via 'chiral network.'
Rules
Basic rules
Traverse rough terrain balancing weight + speed + safety
Signature 'walking simulator' core.
Deliver cargo intact — damage reduces reward + XP
Cargo management.
Build structures (roads, bridges, generators) shared asynchronously with other players
Signature strand-type multiplayer.
Combat: BTs (ghostly enemies) + MULEs (bandits); non-lethal recommended
Combat sparingly used.
Story unfolds via extensive cinematic cutscenes
Kojima trademark.
Scoring
Delivery grades (S-E) + likes (thumbs-up) from other players; no traditional scoring.
| Action | Points |
|---|---|
| S-rank delivery | Maximum XP + material rewards |
| Likes from other players on structures | Cosmetic + reputation |
| Chiral network connection (main story progression) | Story milestones |
Win condition · Complete main story (Sam's journey across America).
Equipment
PS4/5, PC (Windows), Mac
Multi-platform (DS2: PS5 exclusive at launch)
Standard controller
Recommended over M/KB
Terminology
- Sam Porter Bridges
- Player character; cargo porter reconnecting America.
- BT
- 'Beached Thing' — ghostly enemies from the Beach realm.
- Chiral Network
- Digital-supernatural network Sam expands via cargo delivery.
- Strand-type Game
- Kojima's term — solo journey with asynchronous multiplayer help.
- MULE
- Delivery-obsessed bandits stealing cargo.
- Bridge Baby (BB)
- Fetus-in-jar companion that helps Sam detect BTs.
- Timefall
- Rain that ages/damages everything it touches.
Where it is played
Governing bodies
Kojima Productions (developer)
Founded 2015 · Tokyo, Japan
Sony Interactive Entertainment (publisher)
Founded 1993 · Tokyo, Japan
Famous names & records
Famous athletes
- Hideo Kojima (director + writer + producer)
- Norman Reedus (Sam voice + likeness)
- Mads Mikkelsen (Cliff Unger)
- Léa Seydoux (Fragile)
- Guillermo del Toro (Deadman likeness)
- Nicolas Winding Refn (Heartman likeness)
Frequently asked
Why is Death Stranding so polarizing?+
It's a DELIBERATELY SLOW 'walking simulator' with cargo management — many players found the CORE LOOP TEDIOUS while others found it MEDITATIVE. Story is quintessentially KOJIMA-ESQUE: SURREAL, POLITICALLY AMBITIOUS, sometimes overwrought. Its GENIUS or its INDULGENCE depends on player patience. Sold 5M+ copies + won multiple GOTY nominations + Best Direction awards but also has substantial haters. It PIONEERED asynchronous 'strand-type' multiplayer that has influenced other games since.
Sources & provenance
- Wikipedia — Death Stranding— Wikipedia