Death Stranding marked the return of the critically acclaimed game creator Hideo Kojima, yet the title starring Norman Reedus was met with polarized reviews. With the coronavirus impacting many, players have been isolating and this has renewed interest in Death Stranding and its themes, that mirror the pandemic, as the importance of deliveries is emphasized and players feel more remote from the outside world. A fan on Reddit has now found some of the materials used in the game, being used in real life.
The creator of Death Stranding, Hideo Kojima, has been praised for his cinematic style which was showcased in the stealth-shooter based Metal Gear Solid franchise. For many players, Death Stranding did not live up to the previous Kojima games and a range of reviews reflected this. Death Stranding had huge themes but at its core players are tasked with making deliveries and reconnecting a dystopian America once more.
A key item that helped players transport goods was an exoskeleton which gave them greater balance, speed, and the ability to take larger cargo. This idea is now being implemented in real-life in China. The food and parcel delivery service "Fengniao" has been testing a very similar suit on their staff and one Reddit user, Invinciberry, noted the similarities. It seems that despite some disappointment in Death Stranding, the title is becoming increasingly relevant in these trying and testing times. The delivery service has stated that "The suit will make a 100kg payload feels like carrying a laptop." If this is the case the exoskeleton will be just as beneficial to delivery staff as it was for players of Death Stranding.
Chinese food and parcel delivery company Fengniao “蜂鸟” start testing exoskeleton suit in Shanghai. From ofcoursethatsathing
Death Stranding was praised for its innovative aspects and it is interesting to see its concepts applied to contemporary situations. While Death Stranding was focused on themes of human extinction and unexplainable entities in a science fiction blend, it seems to have resonated with more people as time has gone on. It will be fascinating to see if the game has predicted more machinery and elements that will become incorporated in everyday life or whether this was an accidental similarity.
Many fans of Hideo Kojima are now keen to see what the creator and director does next. Some have wondered about how a Death Stranding sequel would work, while others expect him to return to a more familiar IP. Either way, it may be a while before Kojima works on a project that increases in relevance the way Death Stranding has.
Death Stranding is available now on PS4 and will launch to the PC on July 14, 2020.