Is Death Stranding The Joker for video games?

When The Joker movie was teased online months before it was released, excitement built among superhero fanatics who thought it was to be a typical Marvel or DC movie, only a bit darker.

Once the final trailer was shown by Warner, it became clearer that The Joker was the darkest anti-hero film. Winning the Venice Film Festival ‘s Golden Lion award even raised the curiosity of those who haven’t watched the movie as reviews were also coming in about how brilliant Joaquin Phoenix’s performance was and how Joker was more of a masterpiece than your typical CGI-filled movie which costs millions to produce, create and market. With all of Joker’s praises (and eventual blockbuster success), it had its detractors.

This pattern is now being replicated for the much-awaited Death Stranding by Hideo Kojima. The media and game blogger reviewers who had early access to the game on the PlayStation 4 were divided.

Gamespot gave Death Stranding a 9.0 which is “Superb,” according to its rating system. Kallie Plagge who completed the game in 60 hours took on a profound review about its main plot without providing any spoiler.

“Death Stranding argues in both its story and gameplay that adversity itself is what makes things worth doing and life worth living,” she said.

IGN was unkind to Kojima and the game, and elaborated on how its slow pace took the fun out of gaming. Tristan Ogilvie’s brutal review rated Death Stranding at 6.8 and he did not mince words on how unsatisfied he was.

“It feels like being declared the winner of a food fight, only to find out that your prize is a mop and bucket,” he said.

I believe the game will be released in the Philippines early November. Sony and Kojima Productions have been boasting about the perfect scores they received from different reviewers and media companies.

Talk show host Conan O’Brien was also tapped to promote the game to his legions of fans.

So far, what I get from the reviews and trailers is that this is the most unorthodox game that Kojima has ever made. You have to deliver parcels, which you should focus on as the slightest deviation from balance would damage and lower your rating from your clients in the game. There are also monsters called BT and a baby called BB which would be part of the major dynamics of the game.

It’s hard to explain especially that I haven’t played it yet. I am thinking if it would be worth it because after all, it is HIDEO KOJIMA! His departure from Konami has left Metal Gear fans hanging and wondering if his return with Death Stranding would be an equivalent to a virtual slap on Konami’s face.

With the reviews so divisive and confusing, the best move now is to actually purchase the game and see for ourselves if Kojima is living up to the quality we expect from him.