Death Stranding Guide
Death Stranding is the first project from a post-Konami Kojima Productions - the creator of the Metal Gear Solid series. In short description, Death Stranding is a game about carrying cargo over long, treacherous distances. Kojima labelled Death Stranding as the start of a new genre, a Strand. Where players work globally toward a common goal. Yet, the game does a poor job of explaining some things.
The most important thing in Death Stranding is your patience.
Okay, it's the cargo you are carrying, yet if you’re not on an urgent or time-sensitive run, there is no reason not to take your time. This will be tested over the course of the game when you are surrounded by BTs or MULEs. In the long run, it always pays out to keep your cool head and move for a purpose instead of speed. Remember that slow is safe, safe is fast.
When crossing yellow scanned surfaces (mostly rivers), grip your backpack to save energy, take your time, and don't let your stamina drop below one segment.
Multiple carefully planned trips are always better. Never overload your backpack.
Cargo Damage
There are two meters for every piece of cargo: container and cargo. You are graded for cargo damage, not container damage. Containers as such can be damaged by impact and by timefall. Cargo is damaged by impact.
Some cargo is fragile and needs careful handling, only transported by hand. In other cases, the cargo can't be submerged cargo or it needs to be kept warm, while other packages need to be kept cold. In such cases unequip your thermal pad and stay away from timefall shelters.
Hitting cargo with a vehicle will immediately destroy the container and the cargo inside. While throwing it off a cliff will not (necessarily) destroy the container.
Signs do matter and are not just visual representation in the game. For example, Keep on Keeping On will give a small stamina boost, as Speed Up and Slow Down in its own respective ways.
Timefall and BT's
It is important when is timefall to keep moving, and mostly trying to stay out of the centre of timefall areas. Scan constantly if you need to move through deep timefall area. Try exposing to timefall as little as possible. Watch the odradek and the position when scanning and its reactions. When is timefall try moving around the edges BTs don't spawn there.
Early in the game, it's almost impossible to fight BT's, your main concern is delivering the cargo safe and sound. This however will change later in the game, yet my advice is, focus on stealthy approach and try exposing to BT's as little as possible.
Keep in mind BT's can only hear you so if you are forced to fight the path, prepare first. Find a place where you are not surrounded by them and strike hard.
Almost every time you are spotted by a BT you will be forced into a boss fight making your journey even harder. Defeating the boss however will end timefall for a short time, use this opportunity to reorganize your lost cargo and push on.
Grinding Boss fights (Farming Chiral Crystals )
Note that if you want to start a boss fight, leave your cargo behind in a safe spot. BT's are uninterested in your cargo, but surely it can be damaged. Farming chiral crystals in this way is often a risk approach, ending up dead will initiate a Voidout making the area impossible to cross. The area will return to normal slowly as you play.
Lethal vs Unlethal approach
As Voidouts are real best bet is to go unlethal and stealthy. Killing a MULE, for example, will only hinder your travel as you will need to transport their body to an incinerator. If you leave the area when you kill a MULE, the game will remember this decision and will trigger a Voidout further in the game. Use lethal approach at your own risk.
No comments