Death Stranding isn't a video game. It will be an interactive cinematic experience that will challenge players through adventurous travel, moral decision making, and varied combat. It will also draw together the world over in more ways than one.
Harnessing boundless imagination and constructing an open world that feels rather than looks like a desolate post-apocalypse, Hideo Kojima proves his immense ambition with an upcoming title that already strikes awe within the industry. Anticipated and influential (even before its own release), Death Stranding stands apart from the competition by entirely extricating itself from the video game platform. Kojima not only intends on reshaping the landscape of conventional open-world gaming (and redefining the meaning of genre itself), but has his eyes set on revolutionizing narrative design and video game cinematography by way of listless immersion.
To do this right, Kojima sought out real-world fashion insights, automotive technology, and sound design in order to blend their own styles within his imaginative framework. Simply take a look at the motorbike rendered into existence by way of Norman Reedus' television show, The Ride. Aside from tapping into the likes of big-name actors and showbiz moguls, like Reedus himself, Mads Mikkelsen, Guillermo del Toro, Nicolas Winding Refn, Léa Seydoux, Troy Baker and more, Kojima infused his forthcoming title with a multitude of these real-world touches in order to capture our attention, as well as to harness immersion for the better.
While some may consider them a form of product placement, these cooperative campaigns are merely steps toward bridging the gap between video games and reality. The sleeveless shirt featured in the recent 48-minute gameplay tease looks like an Under Armour item that received some serious futuristic upgrades. Designed by Acronym and helmed by Errolson Hugh, whom GQ believes sees the future, this shirt is one of many fashion products available to wear in-game. Just look at the sweet sunglasses birthed by Jean-François Rey, a French eyewear company that redefines style in the hot summer rays. Featuring a myriad of worldwide fashion concepts, Death Stranding is proof alone that collaboration on an international scale only bolsters the acclaim and captures the attention of the world.
There's even a nod to Monster Energy, as shown in the same demo at Tokyo Game Show. After traversing through a stream with a slightly vigorous current, which sends protagonist Sam Porter flailing down the river, he takes a swig from a canteen attached to his back and a prompt report displays, "Monster Energy drink consumed. Stamina restored." As it so happens, the beverage will play a vital role in the game, actually factoring into the player's stats, boosting stamina in similarly tough situations.
It isn't just an injection of real-world tech and fashion, either. Kojima has tapped into even the likes of musical acts, such as Apocalyptica and Silent Poets. Featured in the very first teaser, "I'll Keep Coming," by Low Roar set the stage for the game's soundtrack, which will be a compilation of some of the world's best sounds. The trailers are only mere glimpses into why the music in Death Stranding is genius. And, with the renowned Mike Niederquell as the head of sound design, it's fair to say the game will not only look pretty but sound amazing, too.
Troy Baker called Death Stranding a "Whole New Thing," which is enough to prove its a title worth waiting for. Mikkelsen too tossed his hat into the ring, stating that at the very heart of the game is this collaborative identity:
"The whole concept of playing the game, as I understand, needs collaboration from different people from different parts of the world, which is also another level of fantastic-ness."
As so exemplified by these varied artists, designers, and thinkers, Kojima's project will boast some of the most interesting forms of immersive insight. Much like how the gameplay itself finds players drawing the world back together in a time of hardship and desolation, the game's own creation has been a global project that will, in essence, capture the hearts and minds of so many gamers just by the sheer amount of worldwide influence present in its DNA.
Death Stranding isn't a video game; it's a visual art piece solely dedicated to the fans.