Death Stranding Director's Cut PC Review

Death Stranding remains one of the most polarizing games in entertainment. Daring to do something different in a AAA market where recycling the same ideas has become the norm and attempting something risky is near unheard of. Death Stranding Director's Cut adds more content, improves combat significantly, and provides new tools that make traveling much easier. This version of Sam Porter's journey across America is still the same experience as you attempt to solve the Death Stranding. An exceptional sci-fi journey Death Stranding Director's Cut gives more than ever before.
 

 

Death Stranding takes place in a post-apocalyptic America after a massive cataclysm event that caused a mass extinction. Called the Death Stranding those who survived now live in underground bunkers and depend on couriers to ferry supplies between these areas. The 2 biggest threats are Beached Things, or BTs for short, and timefall. BTs are hostile creatures born from humans who have died, requiring those who are alive to burn the corpse far from shelters before as they attract BTs. Timefall takes the form of rain, snow, or hail that accelerates the passage of time for anything it touches and loses its effects immediately afterward.

Who would be crazy enough to travel through these hell-like obstacles, well, his name is Same Porter Bridges. The courier finds out that his sister is alive and captured by a terrorist group after learning of her mission to reconnect to America through an advanced form of the internet called the Chiral Network. Sam agrees to connect the network through the terminals set up by his sister Amelie and save his sister so she can take her place as President.
 

 

The Director's Cut does not change anything within the game's narrative. Everything that happened in the original will happen here. The story was an excellent science-fiction adventure but heavily used terms to explain new functions within this world. Which is something Hideo Kojima is notorious for, but unless you keep a notepad handy, you'll get lost, especially towards the end when the game just drops a tactical nuke of information.

The performances of the various characters throughout this journey are simply exceptional. It isn't surprising as the game contains acclaimed actors like Norman Reedus, Lea Seydoux, and Mads Mikkelsen. The character models reflect these actors' appearances down to every detail for a cinematic experience.

The music complements this stellar quality in voice-acting and choreography. The issue is that many of the tracks used are officially licensed, making streaming Death Stranding a problem. This isn't an issue for those who just want to play the game but for content creators having an option to turn off licensed music has become a standard option used in games that heavily rely on licensed tracks. Titles in the Far Cry series, Life is Strange, and the outstanding Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy are a few games that provide a streamer option. This was a problem when Death Stranding first launched and it's still here. Twitch has made changes to its music policies and YouTube offers counterclaims but it still carries huge risks if you plan to stream the game.
 

 

The world of Death Stranding isn't something that is told to you but experienced and the lack of hand-holding can become bothersome. The entire landscape has trickles of life that reflect the hostility of the new threats. Much of the flora are plants that can live for hundreds of years or reproduce within the same seconds it takes for them to grow and die. You'll often see only grass and rarely any trees, along with some of the survivors using the timefall to cultivate crops that take advantage of the time effects. Because of this you really have to pay attention to every little detail to get the full understanding but even then most will be confused. 

The core of Death Stranding is delivering packages. You take on missions from bunkers to deliver these items to gain access to their printer and connect them to the network. Some people are unwilling to join unless Sam first gains their trust, usually involving delivering a package to an area other couriers refuse to go into. Either out of fear of Mules, people who steal packages and live on the outside, or the timefall and BTs. Once connected Sam can build new tools to aid in his journey provided the resources are available.

The Chiral Network doesn't just serve a narrative purpose, it's essential to gameplay. The network allows Sam to build structures within the area and get help from other players. Perhaps one of the best examples of indirect multiplayer players can aid one another by leaving supplies and building structures, with likes determining how many worlds these items are placed into. You can even secure and deliver packages left behind or lost by other couriers for a portion of the reward. 

Much of the game's rewards are delivered through a ranking system. Earning higher ranks increases your star rating for the bunker that you deliver to. The better your rating the more stars you'll get eventually leading to new upgrades, items, and higher-grade resources. These are not easy to complete and without the aid of other couriers expect an uphill battle. But as the game stated, we are all in it together. So many times Sam was placed in a difficult situation only for someone to come through with a generator or a postbox containing life-saving items.  
 

 

More tools have been provided to give players more flexibility in how they deliver packages. These include the Buddy Bot which is a robot with legs that help Sam with deliveries and can be used to walk around without much issue. Others include the Cargo Catapult which sends items using a superpowered rail gun and a Maser Gun that makes non-lethal takedowns much easier. Since killing targets can cause a massive explosion called a Voidout non-lethal takedown is ideal.

The BTs serves as the other major threat. These dangerous creatures only appear during specific considers that include heavy timefall, the rain, hail, or snow turning black, and a rainbow in the air. Large spiraling black lines in the sky showcase where these creatures are but most of the time they're placed in locations Sam needs to head into. Here Sam must sneak past them using a type of radar system since these things are invisible unless you standstill. If caught, a fight against a deadly BT boss is triggered that requires Sam to use blood-based weapons from his own blood to kill them. The presentation for these fights is insane with the bodies of humans covered in black goo clawing for you like this massive interdimensional beast attacks you. If you fail this triggers a Voidout, a massive explosion that fractures the land.

In the original these had to be forced since being caught was rare. The developers increased the aggressive nature of the BTs so when seen they'll gather in the area you were found. This requires you to exercise even more caution as you progress through. But thanks to the Chiral Network players usually have lots of helpful tools around to aid others in these difficult situations.

That being said action scenes are rare in Death Stranding. Most of the game is about planning your route and attempting to get an S ranking but ensuring your cargo is safe. When high action situations are present the developers went all out, having large affairs ranging from large-scale military conflicts to huge battles against BTs. On PC with high settings it's pure eye candy and something, you have to experience for yourself. Even after playing the original this version of the game is an entirely new visual experience. 
 

 

Death Stranding Director's Cut is a rare game that has no middle ground. It delivers a unique experience that encourages planning and patience but places high action on only rare situations. It falls under the umbrella that if you like this gameplay style, you're going to love Death Stranding, and if you don't, there's nothing for you here. With more publishers trying to bring something for everyone having a game that tailors to a specific audience is refreshing as it only caters to those seeking this type of adventure and doesn't attempt to dilute it for gimmicks. Death Stranding Director's Cut is an exceptional sci-fi adventure full of exciting moments that won't appeal to everyone but dares to be different.
 

Adam Siddiqui,
Managing Editor, NoobFeed