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[SpokkX]

I have played every single Kojima game, yes even the 8/16 bit games.
I have loved them all to some degree, even if some were quite flawed (MGS4 comes to mind)

I also loved Death Stranding 1 with the world building and innovative as well as exciting gameplay (you actually had to be careful)

I didn't watch any trailers or reviews and played it on Steam at release - I was sure I would love the game

And well.. the first 2 hours start out well enough

But then it just falls of a cliff in every single way - except techincally (it looks amazing)

The story is a total mess and tries to be serious but at the same time is not - and barely anything happens in the game. And every single character of note is just from the first game as some sort of weird cameo ("surprise motherfucker"). And there are so many cutscenes.... and with a story this uneventful it becomes painful to watch them all. Kojimas worst story - by FAR

The gameplay is where it fails even more. There is NO challenge. The traversal is simpler than the first game - since you can basically use a motorcycle to get everywhere - yes even mountains. There is WAY more combat - problem is that it not improved at all. It is basically one of the worst combat systems in a third person shooter - braindead enemies that you just unload on (regardless of armor or boss etc). The game is so simple so there is really nothing that can even hurt you - not even the BT:s or even bosses. On top of it all the game is LONG - so you have to repeat the same stuff over and over - basically run around with your invincible truck that can go anywhere. There were 3 or 4 trips where walking was actually a better choice

Overall a total mess of design and story - even more confused than MGS4, at least that game did not overstay its welcome

Did people actually enjoy on PS5 at release?

 

[Werewolf Jones]

But it has George Miller and Mamoru Oshii in it doing maymay cutscenes so it's fire???

 

[Danny Dudekisser]

 

[Yoshichan]

Physint needs to be developed asap

 

[Disciple of MSSP]

Man don't do this to me when I was excited to get it on PC.

 

[Teslerum]

The story is a total mess

To be honest, that happened to me in 1 already. I actually really liked the story until its last few chapters. Then Sam constnatly flip-flopped in personality. There were multiple opportunities for payoff to the games storylines, but nothing happened And things just in general felt disconnected.

Then the Director's cut came out and its addition to the narrative just ended up undermining some story beats for me.

Still haven't played 2, will get to it someday though.

 

[I wasn't selling any]

Man don't do this to me when I was excited to get it on PC.

It's a solid game. You will probably enjoy it.

 

[bender]

I restarted DS1 a half dozen times or so before finally making it past the few hour mark and putting in a sizeable amount of time. I really disliked the characters and story. And while I really respect the game design, it just wasn't my cup of tea. That's a long winded reason for why I skipped DS2 all together.

 

[ByWatterson]

It's weird. I fully agree with everything you wrote.

But I loved it?

(but DS1 is the far better, more cohesive game)

 

[SHIV4]

for me it's masterpiece (170 h play)
one of the best game i played in this gen

 

[Wilhelm_85]

It's total nonsense, but I expected that coming from DS1. I still managed to get around 30 hours of enjoyment out of it before I got sidetracked. I'll probably go back to it at some point. The gameplay is quite enjoyable.

 

[Fbh]

The first one was mid overall, but became memorable enough because of the unique setting and ideas.
The second one just sounds like more of the same but without the novelty factor, so I'm not that interested, I'll get it when it's $30 or less.

I dig the world, art direction and ideas. I just wish there was more than a boring delivery game there.

 

[666]

The game is fucken shite mate.

 

[SpokkX]

It's weird. I fully agree with everything you wrote.

But I loved it?

(but DS1 is the far better, more cohesive game)

Well I played it to the end - so I enjoyed it to a certain extent. But it is more of brainless experience - the total lack of challenge is almost weird, it feels like a totally different type of game. It feels like more of a well.. "actual" walking sim now

 

[ByWatterson]

Well I played it to the end - so I enjoyed it to a certain extent. But it is more of brainless experience - the total lack of challenge is almost weird, it feels like a totally different type of game. It feels like more of a well.. "actual" walking sim now

Yes. That was my biggest problem with it.

 

[adamsapple]

Yes, it's a messy game with high production values.

 

[cramoss]

I agree on everything, but I still loved the experience. Classic Kojima for me, I guess..

 

[HRK69]

Your truck might be invincible, but the cargo inside isn't. One careless crash or a bad jump and your delivery rating takes a hit

Just finished the main story on PC with 70+ hours in total, with tons of building and exploring

Absolutely loved it. The gameplay loop and cinematic cutscenes were phenomenal

Now it's time to mop up the rest of the achievements

 

[HRK69]

Man don't do this to me when I was excited to get it on PC.

Get on it mate

 

[Comandr]

Your truck might be invincible, but the cargo inside isn't. One careless crash or a bad jump and your delivery rating takes a hit

Just finished the main story on PC with 70+ hours in total, with tons of building and exploring

Absolutely loved it. The gameplay loop and cinematic cutscenes were phenomenal

Now it's time to mop up the rest of the achievements

This was my experience as well. I don't typically like Kojima games, but I loved DS1 and 2, put a ton of time into both of them. The game's fuckin' gorgeous too.

 

[Black_Mamba]

Totally agree and could add a dozen of other problems, like the annoying female characters. Seems to me that Kojima has been watching too many bad movies — as they all are today — and decided to make one himself.

 

[ChorizoPicozo]

The first one was kind of a mess... But you know, new IP and all. The reception and buzz afterward of this one say it all.

 

[EntelechyFuff]

DS 1 and DS 2 pair amazingly well when viewed as companion games.

DS1 is harder, and less forgiving. DS2 gets a lot wackier and woolier with the ideas. But that's certainly by design. If you want to scrape and claw and drag yourself to each new progression point, DS1 is there for you. If you want to play in the "Connected" world, then DS2 serves that purpose.

When I first started the second game I had some very strong and similar feelings to the OP, that lasted for a good chunk, even after I entered Austrailia. But once I caught the intended vibe of the game--lonliness as a non-pejorative and natural experience of life, paired with confidence in ones own past successes and the comfort of a place to call home--I ended up enjoying the experience far more than the original. And that's no shade on the original at all.

 

[uncreativename]

The gameplay is where it fails even more. There is NO challenge. The traversal is simpler than the first game - since you can basically use a motorcycle to get everywhere - yes even mountains. There is WAY more combat - problem is that it not improved at all. It is basically one of the worst combat systems in a third person shooter - braindead enemies that you just unload on (regardless of armor or boss etc). The game is so simple so there is really nothing that can even hurt you - not even the BT:s or even bosses. On top of it all the game is LONG - so you have to repeat the same stuff over and over - basically run around with your invincible truck that can go anywhere. There were 3 or 4 trips where walking was actually a better choice

Yeah this is a shame. Idunno what Kojima was thinking with like letting people skip boss fights and stuff. Totally stupid, maybe pandering to games journalists, even? Not sure.

If it were me, I'd have made it much harder than Death Stranding 1. Make it like Stalker the movie where the supernatural is pretty much totally invisible and extremely deadly (so, make the BTs totally invisible all the time, and much more deadly, for one thing. Make rain even more dangerous. Maybe add some invisible anomalies that you can walk into and get fucked up by...)

I still bought it because I think it seems to be doing a lot of different things that are cool and inventive, but yeah.

 

[HRK69]

This was my experience as well. I don't typically like Kojima games, but I loved DS1 and 2, put a ton of time into both of them. The game's fuckin' gorgeous too.

I kinda dreaded starting the game, if I'm honest. Kojima loves his creepy stuff and I usually steer far away from horror. I get scared easily, to say the least, specially in the first game with BT encounters and all that

Let's just say I got spooked more than a few times and my heart would always start racing whenever the music player cut out because of a threat

And I thought I was safe on the roads but no lol

10/10 game for me

let me share some screenshots too!

 

[Guardian Monkey]

I just want to say after mgs1,2,3, mgs4 did a decent job pulling together the storyline from the first three. If you weren't expecting crazy by then, you had enough warning to know what you were getting into.

I've tried to like ds1 multiple attempts. I figure though if I couldn't get into ds1 jumping to 2 didn't make much sense.

 

[tTHANOSs]

I enjoyed it and got the platinum. The story isn't as strong as DS1 but gameplay wise it's great. To me anyway.

 

[Clear]

I have played every single Kojima game, yes even the 8/16 bit games.
I have loved them all to some degree, even if some were quite flawed (MGS4 comes to mind)

I also loved Death Stranding 1 with the world building and innovative as well as exciting gameplay (you actually had to be careful)

I didn't watch any trailers or reviews and played it on Steam at release - I was sure I would love the game

And well.. the first 2 hours start out well enough

But then it just falls of a cliff in every single way - except techincally (it looks amazing)

The story is a total mess and tries to be serious but at the same time is not - and barely anything happens in the game. And every single character of note is just from the first game as some sort of weird cameo ("surprise motherfucker"). And there are so many cutscenes.... and with a story this uneventful it becomes painful to watch them all. Kojimas worst story - by FAR

The gameplay is where it fails even more. There is NO challenge. The traversal is simpler than the first game - since you can basically use a motorcycle to get everywhere - yes even mountains. There is WAY more combat - problem is that it not improved at all. It is basically one of the worst combat systems in a third person shooter - braindead enemies that you just unload on (regardless of armor or boss etc). The game is so simple so there is really nothing that can even hurt you - not even the BT:s or even bosses. On top of it all the game is LONG - so you have to repeat the same stuff over and over - basically run around with your invincible truck that can go anywhere. There were 3 or 4 trips where walking was actually a better choice

Overall a total mess of design and story - even more confused than MGS4, at least that game did not overstay its welcome

Did people actually enjoy on PS5 at release?

Disagree on pretty much every point.

Especially after the introduction of the new "to the wilder" difficulty.

But even then, I'm sorry, but considering I'm good enough to have 100%'d some of the harder action games on the market (every FROM game, all the Team Ninja Nioh-likes) I still died on occasions and that was on normal difficulty, So I find the whole "no challenge" argument to be a little dubious to say the least.

I also thought the story was better than the first game's because it wasn't trying so hard to make a serious point, and was much more of a feel-good adventure. I loved the ending too, which connected with me emotionally far better than the obvious attempt at pathos (toothless too, because the outcome was never in doubt) in the first game, as it at struck a consistent tone.

I fucking loved every minute of it. So basically, sorry, sucks to be you I guess.

 

[TrebleShot]

Amazing graphics & individual scenes.
Terrible slog of a game
The final third is terrible

Went from that to Yotei which is also awful.

 

[Comandr]

I kinda dreaded starting the game, if I'm honest. Kojima loves his creepy stuff and I usually steer far away from horror. I get scared easily, to say the least, specially in the first game with BT encounters and all that

Let's just say I got spooked more than a few times and my heart would always start racing whenever the music player cut out because of a threat

One thing I will say about Kojima is his amazing attention to detail. When you are listening to music it doesn't just cut out- it crackles and fades out like you're entering a bad reception area.

You know.

A bad area.

Bad like bad guys nearby.

 

[Bonfires Down]

I have played every single Kojima game, yes even the 8/16 bit games.
I have loved them all to some degree, even if some were quite flawed (MGS4 comes to mind)

I also loved Death Stranding 1 with the world building and innovative as well as exciting gameplay (you actually had to be careful)

I didn't watch any trailers or reviews and played it on Steam at release - I was sure I would love the game

And well.. the first 2 hours start out well enough

But then it just falls of a cliff in every single way - except techincally (it looks amazing)

The story is a total mess and tries to be serious but at the same time is not - and barely anything happens in the game. And every single character of note is just from the first game as some sort of weird cameo ("surprise motherfucker"). And there are so many cutscenes.... and with a story this uneventful it becomes painful to watch them all. Kojimas worst story - by FAR

The gameplay is where it fails even more. There is NO challenge. The traversal is simpler than the first game - since you can basically use a motorcycle to get everywhere - yes even mountains. There is WAY more combat - problem is that it not improved at all. It is basically one of the worst combat systems in a third person shooter - braindead enemies that you just unload on (regardless of armor or boss etc). The game is so simple so there is really nothing that can even hurt you - not even the BT:s or even bosses. On top of it all the game is LONG - so you have to repeat the same stuff over and over - basically run around with your invincible truck that can go anywhere. There were 3 or 4 trips where walking was actually a better choice

Overall a total mess of design and story - even more confused than MGS4, at least that game did not overstay its welcome

Did people actually enjoy on PS5 at release?

 

[RSMan]

Yes, but Neil Vana and Lucy story are absolutely peak cinema. Just fucking phenomenal.

I wish Kojima would release a directors cut version and remove a shit load of bloat and pointless drawn out dialogue at times.

Kojima has insane potential but he needs an editor badly.

 

[Feel Like I'm On 42]

Ive been saying this for a while now but there has been such a noticeable trend among Japanese developers to make their games easier. The idea is everyone will finish our games. The entire industry is infected by this mentality. Look how popular the cozy game genre is.

 

[JORMBO]

I loved the first one. I am trying DS2 for a second time and losing interest again. I like the first one because you grabbed some cargo and made a long journey through the wilderness all alone. In this one you hop into a truck and drive for 3 minutes while having a companion that talks to you. There's also a home base that follows you everywhere. The landscape doesn't really have any challenge to navigate even if you didn't have the truck all the time.

I also don't like that it has so much more combat. They give you tons of tools, but you can just run into a base and headshot everyone easily so most of them don't really matter.

 

[kazuyamishima]

 

[Pimpbaa]

My 2nd favorite Sony published game this generation (first being Stellar Blade). Loved the story even the batshit crazy stuff and the gameplay is vastly better than the first. Played the hell out of it. Definitely going to play it again sometime.

 

[semiconscious]

really enjoyed death stranding, but have no interest whatsoever in either replaying it or playing the sequel. none...

 

[Itchy Tickles]

I am a bit surprised someone who plays a Kojima game is shocked the story is a mess. It's kinda his thing, dogshit writing with long dragged out nonsensical plot with twists for the sake of twists story telling. He is easily the most overhyped over praised person in gaming by a mile and I cant stand him or his work, honestly.

I did try Death Stranding 1 on PC out of curiosity (and it was dirt cheap when I got it) but outside of looking nice, I think I managed about 3 hours. Awful stuff. The videos I've seen of 2 didnt re-spark my curiosity in anyway, even if it becomes free or part of a bundle I think I would still ignore it.

 

[Raven117]

I liked 1 due to weirdness. 2 flat out sucked. Sorry folks.

 

[TheLikou]

I liked it. The only problem is that this game forces you to use the vehicles 95% of the time. I prefer walking and absorb the world around me.

 

[Roni]

The game is good, it's just a cheap sequel. It's more of the first game. We should've gotten more vehicles and the environmental hazards should've been more procedural.

All in all, this game and Death Stranding 1 have the same "problem" as MGSV: the tools are meant for the casuals. If you're looking for a challenge you should use as few tools as possible so when combat breaks out you're actually at half stamina and with a gun at 25% durability.

I wish more money were spent on this game, but if it had cost more, it wouldn't have been made.

Then again, I could play a game with less known actors and that money could perhaps go to 6-12 months of additional development for some more stuff to be thrown into the game.

I really wanted either sailing or flying in the game. Flying probably, as the game already has storms, sandstorms, snowstorms and etc which could be used to make the flying gameplay interesting.

 

[Judge Magister]

Kojima solo career is mediocre so far.

 

[Cakeboxer]

The story is a total mess

Your first Kojima game?

 

[DenchDeckard]

Agree with everything you said but it is amazing.

The second game is a chilled experience with a shit story and amazing tech.

I love it. Strange that I can agree with everything you are saying but still adore the game. It's a funny ol' world

 

[StueyDuck]

I dont think Ive read such a wrong opinion on here before...

Like yeah I guess the story criticism, whatever its Kojima

But the rest...

 

[Neff]

You highlight pretty much every problem I had with it. It's baffling on so many levels. Kojima usually at least knows how to craft a solid, interesting game even when his storytelling shits the bed, but DS2 is one of the most disappointing sequels I've ever played. I have zero desire to ever replay it and if I'd known what it was like I never would have bought it.

 

[Xtib81]

I really loved DS1 so much so that I completed twice but I didn't even finish DS2. It's one of the safest sequels ever, this is just copy pasted from the 1st game minus what made DS1 unique (i.e no more walking since you unlock vehicles immediately, no more planning your route since there's no risk, no real difficulty, same everything : holograms with boring stories, same sounds, same animations, same menus etc) and I didn't have that energy in me anymore.

 

[mgcemir85]

Loooved DS1. 100 hours in it.

I couldnt bare to finish DS2. More of the same but waaaaay easier and uneventfull. I cant believe that this game shipped like this, that noone told the guy hold on a minute, this isnt right.

In DS1 the boring parts where made more interesting by challange, but here its like go from point A to B to C to B to A etc., and litterally the same as DS1. Bought it digitally and cant even resell it now.

 

[AeonGaidenRaiden]

I was actually surprised how bad it did in sales, only 2 mil sold after a year with a PC port while Crimson Desert sold 4 mil in one week. And thats when DS1 sold 5 mil in the same timeframe. Ill wait till the game drops to $20.

 

[keefged4]

I agree. I love the first game, the sense of dread and the care and attention you need to take for each delivery as there is actual stakes involved. The setting and atmosphere are just *chefs kiss*.

The second one though, I had to force myself through it to finish it. There's no sense of danger anymore and the story is just retarded imo. It's not a bad game per se, it's just very disappointing compared to the first one.

I will say it took me 4 proper attempts to really "get" into the first game and eventually end up 100%ing it, so I'll probably come back to the second one in a couple of years and do the same for the sequel.