What can one (first) say about this masterpiece, which from the first moment until it ends overflows with genius? Honestly, every step of the hero, every landscape he has to traverse, every enemy, every secret, every package delivery, and the way you have to handle it along with every tool you have to bring with you, are all so intricate and insanely brilliant in their conception that you can only admire the work of the creators and enjoy an adventure that is unparalleled in every aspect.
The graphics are so perfect, flawless, and detailed that one wonders about the creators' ability to push the console to its limits. The sound is amazing, with a plethora of musical compositions that feel like they were written specifically for this game, inseparably connected to the moment they are heard. The gameplay is unparalleled, everything is executed so easily and proves to be so accessible that you feel like you are experiencing it in real-time. The menus and the numerous options and possibilities may initially seem labyrinthine and almost inaccessible, but once you become familiar with and understand the mechanics of the game, everything becomes incredibly easy, extremely user-friendly, and intuitive.
There are so many things to do that you will never find a moment of boredom. It may seem tedious or unbearably repetitive to some to engage in package deliveries, but even this is done with such grace, adrenaline, and ingenuity that when you complete the game after several hours (definitely more than 70), you wish you could do just as many more. The story of the game unfolds incredibly deep and comprehensive, giving you the feeling that you are literally in another world and experiencing everything up close.
A special mention should also be made of the somewhat multiplayer aspect of the game, as while wandering in the vast world of Death Stranding, in addition to the structures you will build, the supplies you will leave at scattered points, or the packages you may abandon, you can also see and use the corresponding objects created by other players (and you can't imagine how helpful this can be in countless situations), complete their unfinished constructions, and take on the task of continuing the transportation of their cargo for your own reward as well as theirs!
And for those who claim that the game has no action at all, I assure you that it does, and plenty of it. At times, you encounter several enemies who want to hinder your deliveries, and especially after chapter 9 (there are a total of 15), the game becomes almost exclusively action, satisfying even the most skeptical or demanding players.
For those who argue that it is essentially a walking simulator, where you simply walk endlessly without purpose, motivation, and reason, delivering cargo, I can think of two things: a) either they are accustomed to other types of games, more "action" and more linear, or b) they have no idea what innovative gaming, pioneering, beyond the established norms, truly means, which truly tests your mind and endurance.
Do not be discouraged in the slightest by everything that is said and give yourself the opportunity to enjoy a catalytic masterpiece that is unlikely to be matched. You will beg for it not to end, and when the fateful hour comes, you will feel so empty that it will be difficult for you to overcome it afterwards and engage directly with any other game.
P.S.: I have both versions of the game, for both PS4 and PS5. Yes, there is some difference in the graphics, but other than that, there hasn't been any significant expansion or anything else.
