The Stranding - How it is to trek through the world of Death stranding

February 12, 2023

The Stranding - How it is to trek through the world of Death stranding

‘Death stranding’ is a video game developed by ‘Kojima Productions’ and designed by Hideo Kojima. The game is a unique and immersive blend of action, adventure, exploration and horror through a post apocalyptic, unrecognizable America.

You play as a lone courier delivering essential supplies to isolated, hard-to-reach locations, with nothing in sight but vast expanses of grassy hills, grey rocky cliffs reflecting the sunlight back into your eyes, clad with patches of moss, the sound of birds occasionally piercing the drone of small rivers flowing back into the sea, and the mesmerizing beauty of waterfalls as you stand to take in the view after besting the challenge of the climb;

or large plains of black glistening rocks and sand, with the occasional patch of vegetation;

or stretches of dunes of rust-colored sand and jutting rocks, littered with remnants of a once functioning society;

or steep mountains of knee-deep snow, no vision past a few feet ahead, and the sound of howling winds ripping past your ears.

The world itself has a unique phenomenon that takes place within it, known as 'Timefall'. It is a phenomenon during which an inverted rainbow and large dark looming clouds appear in the sky, and anything the pitch black drops of water touch goes through rapid damage and aging. This effect is explained as a result of the presence of 'chiral particles' in the air, a unique crystal of Chiralium formed due to the presence of 'Beached Things', which originates from the 'Beach', or the other side, where the dead go.

The world is haunted with supernatural entities, or ‘Beached Things’, simply put are the souls of those who couldn’t make it to the other site, hungry to find life as a way to end their torment. You have ‘DOOMS’ or the ability to sense these ‘BT’s’. when spotted, they appear to be dark ghosts floating in the air, rooted to the world through umbilical cords, and leave pitch black tar handprints as they move. These moments are truly terrifying and heart racing as you try to navigate your way through without making a sound or even letting them hear your breath;

There are also terrorists who go against the agenda of the government, who attack you on sight, known by yellow flashing lights and the ominous sirens, as a way to steal and survive. But I don't want to disclose too much about them.

Soundtracks, a big part of this game, majorly from a band known as ‘Low Roar’, plays haunting melodies in moments of triumph, as well as adding to the sadness and isolation, and are some of the best moments of the game.

As a conclusion, your journey is one that is both physically and emotionally demanding, but also rewarding as the player comes to understand the world's beauty, tragedy, and resilience. It is a truly unique and unforgettable experience that is not to be missed by fans of the genre and anyone willing to experience it as well.