[TGS 2019] Death Stranding Gameplay Breakdown

After Gamescom’s gameplay teaser for Death Stranding, there’s now a whole chunk of it at Tokyo Game Show 2019. 48 minutes of it in fact! What kind of world will we be seeing with Sam Bridges? There’s plenty of information off the Playstation blog as well, so let’s dive right in.

Before starting on every world-saving journey, you need to prepare! It’s the same for Sam. He’s not just balancing the cargo he has on his back. The suit and arm attachments seem to require particular attention as well. We don’t know the full details on how they may change Sam’s capabilities, but you can never be too careful anyway.

Sam also checks out the map. Examine the topographical view for the land’s layout; inclinations, bodies of water, and the like. Place markers to plan a course, and prepare equipment accordingly. See, it’s good to check up on your gear!

You’ll be finding signs of the people who have explored before you. You’ll be able to benefit from the equipment they left behind, and you can give them a like in return. Direct contact doesn’t seem possible from what we’ve seen so far. The likes may not do much in particular either, but you can help make someone feel appreciated.

After an arduous journey, you and Sam need to take a break. You can take some time-outs in Death Stranding, and it’s encouraged too. Sam can sit in the grass, and prompts will appear asking him to massage his shoulders, stretch his legs or have a quick nap. Hear him play a tune on a harmonica, or see him dip into a Recharging Spring. It makes BB pretty happy too!

After that, it’s back on the road again. Equip an “Active Skeleton” to help Sam run faster and further. It’s apparently so active Sam can make impressive jumps even with the huge load on his back! Stealing a MULE truck or hopping onto a motorcycle are possible actions as well. Maybe we can look forward to riding in style?

That load will certainly be easier with the use of a Floating Carrier. Sam can pack things onto this hovering palette and he’ll pull it along behind him. It should allow Sam more flexibility in transporting, cargo amounts and speed wise. If you aren’t using it for cargo, Sam can use it to carry himself too!

Combat is also shown off in the footage. Sam first struggles to free himself from the BT’s tar-covered grip, before encountering something more formidable. You could try running, perhaps. Otherwise, Sam will have to discard some cargo to become lighter during combat. Use the Hematic and EX Grenades or the anti-BT Handgun to defeat the foes you face. Don’t forget to pick the cargo back up should you survive.

The theme of “connections” comes up again here. Sam isn’t alone in Death Stranding’s world. Delivering cargo will have the facility representative thank him for his efforts. Their bases can then be added to an ever growing Chiral network. What will we yet learn of these connections? We’ll have to find out when Death Stranding lands 8 November on PS4.

Death Stranding

Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment

Developer: Kojima Productions

Release Date: 2019-11-08

PlayStation 4

Connections. In this fractured world, Sam Bridges is working to bring the world together. With his cargo and trusty Bridge Baby, what will he see?

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