Death Stranding is the greatest flawed game of all time

[Legend]

I don't know if I'll ever play it again. Lots of parts would be long and boring.

But it just stuck with me. At random times it just pops into my head, the memory of walking down a mountain with "don't be so serious" playing in the background.


It's a hard game to talk about. MGSV was a lot more fun and had incredible moments as well, heck I'd even give it a better review score, but Death Stranding despite its flaws has something incredible at its core.

Anyone else played it and have opinions? Any other games you feel this way about?

[Dr. Pezus]

Post don't be so serious here. Not sure what song that is

[Legend]

Post don't be so serious here. Not sure what song that is

[Dr. Pezus]

Very good!

[Legend]

A resetera thread popped up talking about some of the same stuff.

Real talk, the music cues in Death Stranding are my highlights of this generation so far | ResetEra

"What if John Marston riding to Mexico with Far Away playing in the background, but the entire game?"

 

 Thread Theme:

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So some background. With Death Stranding's announcement way back during E3 2016, I was immedietely hooked on the trailer song I'll Keep Coming. I search up this Low Roar to find that it's the musical project of one Ryan Karazija. Kojima described the music of Low Roar as 'sensual' when he first listened to Ryan's songs and I couldn't agree more. There's something sad, dreamlike and somber about the songs of Low Roar, and I found myself just listening to stuff like Give Up, Because We Have To, Patience, I'm Leaving, and more.

 I was so hooked on Low Roar at one point that it was all I listened to. Come the release of Once in a Long, Long While, all I found myself listening to over and over was Gosia and St. Eriksplan. I dunno what it is about this song specifically but it fudgy hit different. It's a sad, but peaceful and calming song.

 Listening to these songs during a pretty poorly executed time of my life helped me keep my head up as dumb as that sounds.

 

So come TGS 2019, we finally get an idea of how the licensed soundtrack plays a part in Death Stranding, with the camera pulling back and certain songs playing as you approach your destination. I was curious as to what Low Roar songs specifically would be used and how they would be used. That part I can't stress enough. It's one thing to just play the music but the moment truly has to be special for the music to elevate it. At this point though, I didn't really give the whole "music playing as you reach your destination" stuff much mind.

 I don't think anyone who's played this game will ever forget the first time Bones plays as you begin your journey and take on your first delivery, being tasked with taking Bridget's body to the local incinerator. As soon as "First of March, it's clear to me" hits, you know this game is gonna be special.

 

But what really took me by surprise was learning that certain musical cues are actually missable if you don't go down a particular route. There's a few I had missed in my 80 hour playthrough and as one Low Roar song played after the other, I started to wonder if I'd ever come across St. Eriksplan.

(SPOILERS)

 I reach Order 51. Deliver a Photograph to the Photographer prepper out near Mountain Knot City. Seems simple enough. I'm still a bit unfamiliar with this region and wouldn't want to run into BTs as that would sure to put me in a rut. I trek on anyways. The journey feels a bit lonely as this was around the time that Deadman takes Lou away from me. I never really realized how much I liked having the little fella around and Sam felt the same.

 

I continue on and come across lush grassland. If I were to be jumped by BTs it'd definitely be in an area like this. I couldn't help but just stare at my surroundings though. It really did look beautiful and I had to take the time to appreciate that. It was at this point that I felt the most 'immersed' I guess you could say. Even though I was just walking around a desolate landscape, I was fully immersed and the whole experience felt super atmospheric.

 

 
 A seemingly simple delivery would be elevated to new heights once this happened.

 

That familiar camera pulling back just a bit to reveal the rocky, uphill climb to the Photographer, St. Eriksplan finally playing. It all came together. I really don't know how to describe this moment in words, but if you experienced this, you know just how special it was.

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 I dunno if this even makes sense, but I feel like with the music playing, it really put into perspective just how beautiful the landscape is and just how tiny Sam is. I took some time to just stare off into the distance and appreciate the surroundings some more. I felt truly alone, no BTs or terrorists in sight. I could just... relax and take it easy.

 

Like I mentioned before, the song is sad but peaceful and calming in a way. It does a good job of really highlighting Sam at this point in the story what with him journeying across America without his companion but having to push on and cross literal fudgy mountains with the hopes and dreams of the dozens of characters he's come across on his back.

 It fits so fudgy perfectly, and that's what really elevates it all. What's amazing is that while I've only looked at St. Eriksplan, there's so many moments in the game like this where the music just plays at the perfect moment. One of my favorites has also got to be when Almost Nothing plays near the end of the game. It feels like cheating using this one but it really is the perfect song to mark the "end" of Sam's journey, reaching Edge Knot City. If you know, you know.

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Death Stranding was something honestly. I know the game is a bit divisive around here but this game was everything I expected it to be and more. It's one of the few games I've played this gen that has truly delivered beyond my expectations and with flying colours at that. I'm not gonna claim it's a masterpiece or whatever, but it's a special game. It's one of those rare games that just comes out of a perfect storm of circumstances. A cathartic experience, one that I'm sure to have in the back of my mind for years to come. Thanks for reading, Era.