Hideo Kojima's latest game has been a big hit with the Brits, as Death Stranding had the second biggest launch in the UK of any PlayStation 4 exclusive this year. It is also the second biggest new IP launch in 2019.
Death Stranding is the first game developed by Kojima Productions since the company split off from Konami and became an independent studio. Sony has been heavily involved with Death Stranding throughout its development, but the game won't remain a PlayStation 4 exclusive forever, as it's due to be released for PC next year.
The debut physical sales of Death Stranding in the UK have been impressive, as the game entered the charts in second place behind Call of Duty: Modern Warfare. According to GamesIndustry.biz, Death Stranding is the second biggest PlayStation 4 exclusive of 2019 in the UK, as it has sold roughly a third less than Days Gone. Death Stranding is also the second biggest new IP launch, putting it behind Days Gone again.
Death Stranding has had a lot of hype building up to its release over the past few years, so it's strange to see it outdone by Days Gone in the UK. Days Gone had nowhere near as much attention leading up to its release, with many writing it off as an inferior clone of The Last of Us before it hit the stores. The response to Days Gone from critics was mixed, yet it still managed to ship a lot of units worldwide.
Death Stranding might have the hype and the star power behind it, but it's easy to see why it might not appeal to as many people as Days Gone. The fact that it's not a timed PlayStation 4 exclusive means that some people will wait for the PC version of the game, while the mixed response from some critics might convince people that Death Stranding isn't worth the risk at full price and are waiting for it to go on sale before trying Hideo Kojima's bizarre new game.
Death Stranding is available now for PlayStation 4 and will be coming to PC in 2020.
Source: GamesIndustry.biz