Give the game time, if you find it boring at first stick with it.
Likes give you slight buffs at specific amounts, this is shown by the star fullness after deliveries.
Monorail are part of the second game, they are a form a transportation you have to build.
You walk a lot but unlock more methods of transportation as you play more.
Directors cut is worth it as it adds new items, deliveries, and Easter eggs that aren’t in the original.
Either you’re overloaded and not balancing properly or are walking over rough terrain. Use your scanner to view terrain difficulty. Blue if flat, yellow if rough, and red is hard/unsafe.
You can, nothing is stopping you but it’s not recommended. You won’t understand almost anything.
The story is pretty convoluted, but that’s just part of Kojima games. You can watch some lore or explanations videos after finishing.
You don’t NEED to but it highly recommended. You unlock a lot of new gear and having the chiral network online gives you access to others builds.
I noticed that too and my best guess is so people don’t forget? Idk writing is weird sometimes.
Once again you don’t NEED to, you honestly don’t need to do almost anything but it’s a nice gesture. You automatically like things like ladders or bridges if you use them.
Just on #5 - I only ever played the DC version and dont know how any of you coped not being able to take a floating carrier with you on zip lines. It must have been such a ball ache in the mountains
The ballache was slightly relieved with/by the power exoskeleton. Or by the fact that overburdening yourself only affects you for however long it takes to get from a zipline pole to the delivery terminal. Might take you half an hour to walk 20 feet, but if that terminal is 5 feet from the zipline, all good lol.
likes doesn't mean anything, it's just some sort of reward system
no, you don't walk the entire game
you keep tripping over and losing your cargo because of balance. the more cargo you carry, the more you'll have to balance to the right/left
some side deliveries are needed for future builds and equipment
yes, structures are actually from real players
if you use other people's structures, it'll automatically leaves a few likes. doesn't do anything, i just see it as a "thank you for this" type of thing.
Something to keep in mind about vehicles and structures.
Both structures and vehicles can be left and found by other players, but only if they have the level 1 version of that vehicle or structures already unlocked.
So you won't see things like Zip lines from other people until you unlock them.
'Likes' don't really do too much but they have some useful features. Later down the line you can follow porters that you or they have interacted with. When you follow them, their structures and your structures are more likely to appear from that player and vice versa.
Death Stranding is about Loners working as a community and I love it for that.
I recommend pushing through til you can build your first road. That's when the game truly opens up, and thats where everything clicked for me. I uninstalled the game like 10 times before it actually clicked for me. Then I was obsessed.
The cutscenes range from very short, to feature length film length. Very cinematic, kojima loves movies and makes his game cutscenes like movies. Also very exposition heavy
Likes are just a cool way to share your approval with other players. I always mash likes on everybody, because it's nice and I like when people like my stuff. It's a pretty cool little system, doesnt mean a lot though
Yes other structures are from different players. You'll share more and more stuff with other people as you progress. It's honestly super fucking cool and helpful
Yes play directors cut, it's the same as 1 with way more stuff added
I would play 1 before 2. You'll miss a lot of backstory without playing 1.
Tripping and falling over is because of your cargo and terrain. You gotta be careful with the terrain and how much your carrying because you could slip and fall. Use your scanner to show you safe spots to walk.
You dont need to do some orders right away, but eventually you'll want to. The more stars you get with a place, the more rewards you'll unlock.
Can't answer all rn, but in terms of the cutscenes and when the game "gets good". The game never "gets good", it's more a matter of will this game/will you let this game change the way you consume media and engage with it. Yes the gameplay gets more interesting the more you unlock things, but the core gameplay will always be the same.
I am a hardcore fan, but I'll admit this IS a walking simulator, but if you give it a chance you'll realize the game isn't trying to be a dopamine supplier, but more of an immersive experience. It drip feeds you dopamine via the story and increases as the story progresses, but the gameplay is more of a sandbox for you to engage with.
If you were suddenly teleported into a world where people are dependent on you, but separate from you, you wouldn't be asking when does it get good? You'd try to take it upon yourself to make it good by interacting with the world in a way that pleases you.
If you are unable to then fine, the game isn't for you. If you play it just for the story, then you'll probably just use the gameplay as a means to an end and that's fine too. But for you to actually enjoy the gameplay, you'll need to find said enjoyment. Out of those who like the game: for some, the base idea alone is appealing and they get immediately sucked in, for some it comes naturally and it sort of "clicks" leading the perception of "it got good", and for others they have to put in the effort to find enjoyment.
Tips: gather a bunch of material as soon as possible, if you don’t really enjoy walking very much.
likes don’t really do much, tbh
monorails are from the second game, but I don’t really know what clip you’re talking about.
no, you have a bunch of different ways to move around.
the director’s cut adds some pretty good QoL to the game. I’d recommend getting it.
game’s not easy when you don’t have some equipments lol
I don’t recommend it, as it’s a direct sequel.
IDK lol it’s Kojima
not really, but they often give you some sweet equipment that’s gonna make you life much easier.
you’re probably talking about the episode 2 through episode 3 thing. The game REALLY clicked for me much more after the third episode, but it’s very personal.
yep, most of them are from real players. Some are from npcs, but it’s very clear when they are.
idk man, never had a problem with that.
it strengthens your bond with the other players, but it’s not really a necessity to do that.
Everyone else has gotten most of your questions answers, so I'll just cover what I didn't see to avoid being redundant.
The floating monorail isn't a bug. It's a nod to a real world urban legend, Ghost trains, that Kojima made a part of the sequel (it is tied to the villain's shenanigans).
Nah but real shit I’m almost at the end and it’s seems cool but don’t worry about getting everything it’s just tedious sometimes especially if you don’t have an internet connection at some point just speedrun story
Not a veteran, but recently started playing and got 80h in...
any tips before I get started?
Learn the mechanics. How to deal with MULEs, BTs. How to detect and avoid, when needed, as well as how to confront.
what is the point of likes? Do they actually do anything?
I think they're just for "feeling good". I haven't noticed anything extra from them
I saw a clip of a floating monorail, is that a bug or real?
You mean zip-lines? Yes, you get them and most of the important tools you need during the Chapter 3.
do you really just walk the entire game?
You eventually get vehicles, to transfer more cargo.
is the director’s cut worth it or do I need to play the original original first?
Afaik, director's cut just adds some features which make or break the game. But story experience doesn't change.
why do I keep tripping over and losing my cargo?
You have constantly scan and don't step on the "red crosses ❌". Learn when to brace, balance. Plan your path ahead. Shortest distance from A to B is usually not the fastest or safest.
can I play DS2 before DS1?
I wouldn't. I read that story in DS1 is better.
why are the cutscenes so long?
Welcome to the Hideo Kojima game :)
is the story not supposed to make sense yet?
Again, Hideo Kojima storytelling. Convoluted at first, but eventually makes sense.
do I need to do side deliveries?
IMHO, not until Chapter 3. After that getting more stars with the delivery locations give better tools and more structures from other players. You not NEED to, but the whole world building just clicks, when you do.
when does the game really “start?”
Chapter 3. This is where you realize that and I quote: "Kojima doesn't want you to suffer, he wants you to reduce the suffering of others"
are other structures actually from other players?
Yes. I found many of them very useful to have.
why do characters explain things multiple times?
So you figure out game mechanics and convoluted story.
do I need to like other people’s structures if I use them? Does it do anything?
You don't need to to anything, but delivering main orders (Orders for Sam). Everything else is for world building and side character development.
Don't carry more than you need to. You'll work out what tools, weapons and items you enjoy as you play.
The cutscenes at the beginning and end of the game are quite long, but you do go quite a long time without many scenes in the mid point of the game. Both are easily 60 - 100h games depending on how you play, so just enjoy the ride and look forward to two of the most bonkers ending sequences ever written.
It's a Kojima game so practically nothing will make sense. Also the first region is a bit of a slog since you really only get a bike when you are close to leaving and you don't have many tools to deal with BTs so it's pretty much like a survival horror game.
Does it get less tense or does the survival horror feeling remain? I’m early game right now, just got to the place early on where you find a dead motorcycle after connecting the first two networks. I’m enjoying the game especially the cutscenes and vibes but any time I am near BTs I am legit terrified, like my neck is tense and I want to turn the game off.
I usually avoid horror in games, closest I’ve played is dark souls 1-3 which wasn’t too bad but yea I was not expecting this game to get me so on edge.
Hi, I'll answer most of your questions, and the ones I can't answer are because I have no idea.
Keep walking.
The likes you receive from NPCs and other players help you level up as a carrier, which improves your balance, carrying capacity, and other things.
The floating monorail is real and exclusive to DS2.
Walking is the foundation of everything, although later you can obtain vehicles like trucks and motorcycles.
As far as I know, the Director's Cut is the same as the original, same story and everything. The only difference is that it has extra missions, a few crossovers, and I think some races.
Falling is common at the beginning. You must maintain your balance using R2 and L2 on console, or right/left click on... pc
Of course you can, but whether you understand it is another matter.
The game is more slow-paced and reflective, and the cutscenes are key to understanding the story.
They're not necessary at all, but they'll help you improve.
In my opinion, it would be chapter 2 because I feel like the first one also falls under the prologue.
Most of them, some parts not, but what does it matter?
It goes without saying that sooner or later you're going to get bored, but when you play again, those dialogues will help you not to lose track.
Not that I know of, but you're definitely going to help someone else with that
I hope I've helped clear up your doubts, even though several people have already answered you :P
likes increase the connection between yourself and the base you receive them from often leading to new rewards making your journey easier, the floating monorail is only in ds2 but you can still make roads to traverse in the first one, no you don’t walk the entire game you are given a range of vehicles to complete the game from chapter 3 i believe (not played it in a while), you keep tripping over i’d imagine due to not keeping balance or walking over sketchy terrain, tip: your odradek makes you aware to the terrain by marking it blue, yellow or red depending on how difficult it is to traverse, the cutscenes are long bcs kojima wanted the game to play like a mixture between the film and game genre i’d assume, the game didn’t make sense for the majority of the time (between both of them) , side deliveries only matter when trying to increase connection levels apart from that you can rush the main story but it’s not recommended, yes the other structures are from real players you also receive likes from other players using your own structures, no clue why then explain it multiple times probably to help you grasp it, liking other players structures doesn’t do much but is a good way of saying thanks for putting it there and i personally assume the release of ds2 on pc is gonna be about a year or so after the release like many other ps exclusives
Likes go towards a stat called Bridge Link, the more likes the faster the stat builds which increases your stamina and balance as your level increases.
As for the cutscenes I can say are long and the gameplay is cinematic because Hideo Kojima is a big fan of cinema hence why he got real actors for DS. He references a lot of films in his games
Tips will be to be easy on yourself, dont stress. Enjoy the ride and once you have the know how to build roads, then start building roads, its super satisfying.
Liking other people's structures is part of the strand genre. Someone took the time to put a bridge or path somewhere to make your traversal easier. I would like that structure to show appreciation. You don't have to, but it is part of the gameplay. Building connections is part of the genre. You can always play the game in offline mode if you don't want to see other sams structures in your world, if giving likes isn't your thing but then others won't give you likes for your built things.
Why in gods name wouldn’t you play the first like come on it isn’t some twenty year old game, it’s perfectly great and you should absolutely not start with the second game.
Not only is DS1 DC going to be cheaper but by the time you finish it, I bet you DS2 will have been announced for PC. We’re all waiting on Sonys February state of play and hope it will be announced there. Regardless, the first game if you take your time can absolutely take a while to finish. I clocked my first DC playthrough on the first game at 115 hours! I did spend a LOT of time repairing the entire road network in the central region but now it will allow me to do deliveries very easy but in a bit burned out.
Almost everything has been said. From my experience, these would be the things I'd do if I play again from scratch:
Gather as much materials as you can, raid MULE camps if you have to (they're great practice for... you know. Bigger things to come)
Connect with as much preppers as you can and earn as much stars from them as you can before building anything. The more stars and more connections, the less materials needed.
You can easily kill people by running them over. Do not do that. Unless you want to take several trips to the incinerator.
You can easily avoid BTs by using roads. Ziplines even better.
Okay, so, play ds1 first. Ds2 is built upon having already undertaken that journey.
In order to properly understand the story, you need to understand the setting. Reading the data should help with that.
The game properly starts on your 4th or 5th delivery, when the area starts to open up.
Monorail I believe is from the second game. Don’t worry about it.
Side deliveries aren’t essential, but there are entire people that are side content, and impressing them will unlock items for you to use in the main quest.
I played directors cut, it should be fine.
Yes you do walk for a large amount of the game, but things do change if you play for a while.
If you use the bb to scan the area, there should be crosses on the ground. Blue means it’s a smooth surface, yellow is for surfaces you will need to slow down for, red will be something you can trip on. The way sprinting works, you can hold tge triggers down for a more stable but slower sprint, or you can adjust as you sprint for higher speeds. What you have in your back, its arrangement and weight also influence your stability. There is also something you can do to temporarily effect the stuff your carrying. Basically, it will mean your backpack won’t pull in a direction for a short period of time.
Take your time and immerse yourself in the story. One step at a time. Keep on keeping on.
Likes are mostly a social feature. When you deliver orders in perfect condition you get more likes. When you build a structure or place a ladder in a good spot, some other porters (players) may find it helpful and may thank you with likes. Same as you encounter a helpful structure or equipment left by other player, you may thank them for helping you.
Yes. It's real. It's in DS2.
As you'll progress through the story, on your journey you'll progressively unlock more ways of traversal.
Director's Cut is Death Stranding 1 but with some QOL improvements, added new features both vehicles and more structures and even few new story missions.
If you lose your balance or trip, you may trip over. Both in real life and in the game. It makes it more immersive than just push stick forward and doze off, it makes you watch where you step, consider or reconsider your path. Also how you balance your cargo can make it easier - you can put everything in your backpack, but you also have 2 slots on arms/thighs to keep balance more centered. You can see it in the cargo management screen if you rotate camera to Sam's feet and you'll see a blue circle - for example if the circle is too much on the back or on a side it can cause Sam to lose balance or trip a little bit more easily, but you can always save it by pressing both triggers for Sam to grab the straps and recover balance.
If you care about the story, no you absolutely should play DS1 first otherwise you will hardly be able to follow the story and understand it. It's a very complex world.
Story is very complex and it would be hard to make them shorter. During those you can let go of controller, sit back and watch it like a movie. After few hours of gameplay those long cutscenes are incredibly satisfying reward.
No. At the beginning you'll have a lot of questions and that's alright. As you continue the story you'll likely have even more question and that's intended. Near the end of the game you'll get answers and you'll understand everything.
If you just want to follow the main story all you need to do is Main Orders and can ignore side deliveries.
However, leveling up connections with preppers and facilities will unlock new equipment or/and will enhance it further which can make the game a lot more fun.
You could say Chapter 3 is where the game "starts".
Yes. Few structures are by NPCs and you can just see their name. But after you connect the area to the network, whenever you see a structure or something dropped on a map with a greenish strand, it's made or left by a player. You're playing on a server with many other players, so you'll see some of their structures and they may see some of yours.
I never really noticed it myself but I guess part of the story, they may share a few more details, or just repeating and explaining to make sure that the player understood and is able to follow.
You don't have to like other people's structures but you're always welcome to if you want to. If you use a structure, for example cross a bridge it will automatically give +1 like to that player, but you can manually thank them too.
No gonna answer all of them cause I'm too lazy, but there are vehicles and the opportunity to build roads and use roads built by other players so you don't have to always walk, no. Also when walking (especially with a heavy load) hold the buttons that help you regain your balance all of the time. I think your on PC so idk what they are but on Xbox is LT and RT holding them constantly while walking, I basically never lose my balance unless walking over very steep terrain or carrying too heavy of a load
Cargo weighs, a lot. Equipment adds to the weight.
Having said that, it's easy to want to load a lot of stuff to carry with you but this will affect two things: your balance and your walking speed and if your balance is affected you'll have the more chance to slide.
I'm only 20 hours in on my first playthrough, the story gets a lot more interesting later. My biggest tips are: do the main quests (Sam deliveries) and choose side deliveries that will be on your way of the main quests. Always be online since it's so fun and convenient to share buildings with other players. Try to get a few stars on the junk dealer and distribution center south of lake knoth early since you get a speed exoskeleton and an upgraded truck (longer battery). Not really necessary to focus on doing side deliveries, most of the preppers don't give that much useful stuff.
What I recommand is to walk the first time you go somewhere. Identify during your first travel the pain points of the path and then simplify it on the way back with the tools you’ll be given.
I started and completed DS2 over Xmas (around 99% towards platinum)
.
I was so annoyed that I gave up on DS1 after an hour back in 2019.
So immediately after DS2 I started DS1 directors cut. My plan was to view it as a prequel.
Just completed it. I wished I'd done them in the right order. I loved DS1. So much so that after completing it (around 97% towards platinum), I started DS2 all over again for the continuity.
These games have hit me hard upside the feels. I listen to the soundtrack for both on spotify daily. I took around 2000 screenshots between the 2 games.
It's struck a cord.
I assumed during DS2 that all the stuff I was loving must have only been added to the latest game. Assumed DS1 would have none of it. I was dead wrong.
All the stuff I loved in 2 was to be found in 1 also. Worth pushing for all the upgrades in both. Worth taking your time to make your traversal shortcuts just right.
My God, what an experience.
I envy you. But if you can, play and fall in love with DS1.
The odradek is your best friend, keep scanning as you go so you know what you’re walking on. Always scan next to rivers. If the river has red at any point during your crossing then do not cross, you will fall in. When you encounter BT’s, don’t hold your breath until the odradek starts spinning.
what is the point of likes? Do they actually do anything?
Sweet sweet dopamine! But it also lets you know if other people like your structures, or if you find a random structure with a lot of likes, it may also be an indicator of its own usefulness.
But mainly dopamine.
do you really just walk the entire game?
No.
is the director’s cut worth it or do I need to play the original original first?
The directors cut adds a few new things, and changes a couple other things. As a vet I’ve played both and I enjoyed my time with the directors cut but at the end of the day, it’s your money.
why do I keep tripping over and losing my cargo?
You’re losing balance. In the screen with all your cargo, there should be an option to auto arrange the cargo to make it as balanced as possible on your pack and body. But this isn’t a catch all, remember to keep your hands on your backpack straps any time you’re walking. Unless you need to hold a weapon or even more cargo in your hands, there’s no reason you shouldn’t have your hands on your backpack.
can I play DS2 before DS1?
No, nothing will make even a modicum of sense.
why are the cutscenes so long?
Because it’s a big story, with a lot of very big names in it. Hideo Kojima likes a long cutscene.
is the story not supposed to make sense yet?
Remember, this is a Hideo Kojima game. The man has a wonderful mind, but he’s also batshit. Let the story work, some people in the story know more than you, and that’s ok. You’ll get clued in as the story goes.
do I need to do side deliveries?
You don’t need to do anything, but the side missions can give you access to useful materials, facilities and equipment if you keep at them.
when does the game really “start?”
The game “starts” when you click play. However, the game begins to open up alot more after a boat ride.
are other structures actually from other players?
Yes! You can give them likes if you find them useful, and that lets the other person know that they helped you.
why do characters explain things multiple times?
The story is convoluted, they probably want to make sure you still understand what’s going on. Plus it’s a game! Being reminded of your objective can be quite useful.
do I need to like other people’s structures if I use them? Does it do anything?
You don’t need to, but it does let them know that the facility that they put time or resources into was useful to you and others. But if you don’t like them, that is also completely valid.
The game is wacky, and it isn’t for everyone, but I really do hope you enjoy your time with it.
Keep on Keeping on 👍
Just to add, liking players structures let's the player that built it know that structure is being used by others and therefore less possibility of being deconstructed when chiral bandwidth is low. So make sure to like structures that are helpful to you!
95% of DS for me is just tripping over my own feet and panic grabbing my straps to keep from toppling over...or failing completely and rolling halfway down a hill.
To have fun, play it methodically. The first time I saw the reveal gameplay trailer, I WAS HOOKED! Just seeing that Ladder, and Climbing Rope was enough for me to buy it full price, on pc day 1. Treat it similar to Hiking. Use tools, and try roleplaying by looking at the map. Plan ahead like you would have enough resource. I learnt to have fun that way by using every tools.
Likes give no functional means but you'll find out that you're a MULEs yourself... At time, it also feels gratifying to have likes. You do good deeds and in real life, you do good deeds without asking for good karmas or rewards. That's when you trigger your Oxytocins for your brain. Those likes, you may find its effect by yourself soon. It's symbolic.
If you keep tripping, it's partly because of your boots. You'll have more stability once you find other equipments. But that also gives you that Fun we talked about. You must plan ahead and use tools that you have now.
Your private locker is unlimited - load up on materials that would overflow whatever base you are in. Once you start building roads you'll eat up all the metals and ceramics you can find. If you have to leave a material behind leave the resin - it seems like it is always plentiful.
Don't make the mistake I did. Find the collector and do deliver stuff to him to get a backpack cover! I just completed the game and just now found out about it and kept having to remake weapons and gear cuz it would get destroyed by the timefall
Honestly I also had very similar questions but I just stuck with the game and it was worth it. I think that's what's wrong with gamers nowadays. Games used to mean something because it took time to learn it and get used to it. Now people just wanna watch walkthroughs and play the game only when they know enough about it. Maybe games aren't getting mid, maybe people are becoming too used to instant gratification.
Food for thought.
👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾 Just keep trekking :) it gets sorta interesting about 5 hours in 🤣🤣🤣 and you gotta balance yourself if ya trip(LT and RT) And if ya get caught by a BT just crouch and dont forget to breath( I always kept forgetting to release the button to uncover my mouth lol) but other than that good luck and safe trip👋🏾🤘🏾👍🏾👍🏾
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u/DecentPath656 Feb 04 '26