This game in a lot of ways should not work as the main gameplay loop in concept is absolutely boring and the combat isn’t the strongest either, however, the gameplay is addicting and engaging and the narrative is full of intrigue and ambition that drives the player to want to keep going. The big problem with this game IMO is its pacing as the first 2 episodes are exposition and story and then episode 3 is nothing but filler missions which can understandably lead some people to drop the game. Hopefully the director’s cut fixes this issue. Now onto the main course: the story. The story of death stranding, while convoluted, is an extremely touching and powerful message about reconnecting with others and unity through hope and Sam bridges is easily one of the best protagonists in a video game. While he is a static character for the majority of the game, his character arc by the final 4 episodes is amazing. It also helps that sam is accompanied by a wonderful and rich cast of characters who all have their own lore and story to them. And the world building and exploration of this game is phenomenal, especially during the latter half of the game where you’ll see some of the most drop dead gorgeous visuals in any medium. Death stranding is not a game for everyone, however it’s a story that I think anyone can connect to and understand with the ending of the story being one of the most powerful endings in media