And you can keep that.

How long does it take to get good? I'm 8 hours in and haven't seen any of that, including beautiful landscapes.

FranticPea wrote:

How long does it take to get good? I'm 8 hours in and haven't seen any of that, including beautiful landscapes.

The enjoyment for me comes with the feeling of accomplishment from overcoming an inhospitable environment, weaving your way through a mountain range to avoid a hoard of enemies, for example, and you (eventually) get a whole lot of cool stuff to help you, but then it becomes about deciding what, or usually what not, to take. Then there's the online integration that really makes it feel like a collaborative effort, that you're working together in a community to rebuild society after a dreadful cataclysmic event. And then there's the mystery around the event itself. It's going way beyond any game I've played at making me ponder those big questions about what happens after death, the meaning of life and the nature of the soul, etc. It's pretty amazing. It's like the perfect action/adventure sci fi drama epic with added social commentary. I'm 40 hours in.

If you've spent a considerable amount of money on a game, it's valid tell the forum why it's a bit shit or not. Tend to think Pea is fairly balanced as he's got both Bone and a PS4. That's not to say others won't enjoy the world, but it has always looked an up it's arse drudge to me.

Ultimately, it can only be a good thing that games that elicit such polarising opinions still exist in this day and age.

g.man wrote:

Ultimately, it can only be a good thing that games that elicit such polarising opinions still exist in this day and age.

Yeah. It’s quite honestly astounding a game like this exists in the AAA space. There’s zero chance this would get made if it weren’t for someone like Kojima who has the power to pick and choose his partners, and a platform holder who is happy to stick money in purely for, funnily enough, marketability.

For me, though, it’s genuinely compelling and probably the most interesting and emotive game I’ve played since Nier. It’s extraordinary.

FranticPea wrote:

When (if) there's a lull in games I want to play I'll absolutely go back to it. I just have no desire to trudge right now, and found the first 8 hours an absolute chore.

I think that’s a good shout. If I hadn’t clicked for me, it would absolutely be a chore. It could be taste, it could be preconceptions about what the game is, it could just be headspace for whether you’re in the mood for this type of game - it could be anything. None of which imply any “failure” on your part to engage. I hope you don’t feel you’re getting stick for not liking it. As I said above, it’s very understandable.

Don’t push it. If you wanna come back at some point, then that’s cool.

dynamiteReady wrote:

FranticPea wrote:

Yes. Most chilled game ever. End up horizontal playing it.

It's called Death Stranding, after all.

He ended up horizontal. Like a Bridge.

#Kojimaisagenius

Without details, is it fairly easy or fairly difficult?

Although I’m playing on normal so hard could be, well, harder.

This is good...

GurtTractor wrote:

That's cool, ty. Definitely keen on getting this next year.

Cool - I’m sure there will be some good sales by then.

It’s worth noting as well that some games do well with short regular sessions and are pretty chill, while others demand longer sessions in order to “make a dent” as it were.

Death Stranding though requires time but the same laidback, chill approach as something like No Mans Sky or Animal Crossing. If you try to push through and do everything as quick as possible, I can imagine people getting frustrated with the repetition.

I had a mega journey yesterday where my Sam was outside for hours without a break, though some incredibly intimidating areas, and by the end he was practically on the verge of collapse as his stamina and shoes wore down to nothing. Got lucky though, but I won’t spoil how, and managed to get back to base with a massive haul of materials and packages.

Sorry for dropping off earlier randomly, buddy. Wife came home and I wanted to make dinner quickly. Will catch up with you soon and do a spoiler chat on the epic journey, if I can even remember all the details.

Amazing game.

Is it true you don't need PS+ for the online stuff.

Cheers. I'd read that. Searched a bit more - can't find many confirming post release but nothing to say it doesn't.

I’ve seen the line “that’s classic hideo Kojima” in the game. There’s a lot of that stuff.