Death Stranding has not left my thoughts ever since finishing it in early 2020, and oh man, what a perfect game indeed to start off that cursed year. Directorial legend Hideo Kojima once again flexes his eerie powers of prescience in his first post-Konami independent project, creating a fictional world that would, only a few months after release, reach unforeseen levels of resonance with a global audience suddenly thrust into the grim reality of having to deal with a historic pandemic under late stage capitalism. True, Death Stranding's base writing is an undeniably self-indulgent mess, but all the repetitive, on-the-nose dialogue in the world cannot distract from this game's downright therapeutic impact and exceptional effectiveness in communicating its central themes of isolation and connection through its singular world and mechanics. It also helps that the game is on so many levels tailored exactly to my emotional and aesthetic sensibilities—hell, this game even knows my specific interests in politics and science. Traversing gorgeous, lonely, desolate landscapes as a central gameplay mechanic? Post-capitalist economy based on solidarity and mutual aid? Particle physics references and metaphors permeating the entire game? CHVRCHES in the end credits? It's almost ridiculous how much this game panders specifically to me. But regardless of my personal biases, I wouldn't hesitate for a second to call this one of the most bold and forward-thinking gameplay experiences the modern AAA space has to offer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0G355dqZyg
can see why this is apparently the weakest of the main series although i wasnt aware of that until i finished it and i do like it quite a bit
no spoilers, but the patterns of the main series stories really show and start to suffer towards the end of this. between this and yakuza 4 this Zone of yakuza might be the most absurd it gets story wise, though i haven't played 5 or 6 yet
really charming Okinawa overworld is what i think seals this as good-great for me, of course you aren't necessarily bombarded with things to do but it's a chill area and has a lot of appeal to me. the day care stuff feels pointless at first but also has a lot of charm, really love haruka etc etc. there are a lot of things i could say about the last leg of the story on this but i'll save my energy for now. good game

oh yeah the combat is kinda annoying but once you Git Gud its alright

+ Actual Character Development
+ Best Pokemon Story to date
+ Lillie
+ Aesthetics / mechanics of the pokemon battle menus and scenes have improved
+ Trial system makes each island challenge new and exciting
+ Team Skull
~ Z moves are unneeded, yet balanced
~ Alola Formes make certain pokemon relevant again
~ Gen 1 bias
~ Rotom talks a lot
- Too much handholding from several different ways
- Pokemon Picture system is bare minimum
- Beginning of the game is a horrible turn off
- SOS system makes catching / random battles more than a chore.
- Game seems to lag with more pokemon animated on older 3DS