DeathStranding received the #GameOfTheYear in the Global Game Awards 2019 on Game Debate

Only the best of the best are nominated for the prestigious Game Debate Global Game Awards Game of The Year title, and there can be only one. We are all looking for that one supreme game that dropped our jaws over the past 12 months. Nominees are usually highly competent in every facet that makes a title brilliant and all of them are video game titans that stand above the rest. These titles reach the lofty heights where the Half-Life and Elder Scrolls of gaming history dwell. They push the industry forward, innovating with rich new features and exceptional gameplay, all the while perfecting mechanics that set the template for every other title to aspire to.

[Thundercat77]

While I understand Death Stranding is not for everyone, I am glad it is receiving admiration from those who liked it. Personally, DS is one of the best experiences I have played this generation.

[Rude-ro]

I love seeing the “not for everyone” as if it is a brand new gaming tag line... yet applies to every game, anything in life, since the beginning of time.
That’s when you know you have something special when people have to add said comment to the game.

[TheOptimist]

Double standards have been a core principle of human society since the beginning.

[crazyCoconuts]

Ménage à trois for example, not for everyone. Still a 10.

[Baza]

Sure. But I’d say Death Stranding really takes “not for everyone” to a higher level.

[CanadianTurtle]

Death Stranding is best described as "don't buy the game, watch the cutscenes on youtube instead."

Because everyone who played it say the same exact thing "the gameplay was boring." So it seems to me that it's one of those games where people are putting up with 50 hours of tedious gameplay just to reach a glorified CGI cutscene. Most gameplay segments in DS are just boring, but players only endured it for the storytelling/cutscene checkpoints alone.

That's not a sign of a good game. That's a sign of a good movie. So yes, just watch the cutscenes on youtube instead. Save yourself $60, and 60 hours of walking

[Army_of_Darkness]

Get ready for copy cats.

[SpineSaw]

Just asking..... You like seeing the tag line "Game of the Year" added to Death Stranding? It's just one Game of the Year award but I gotta feeling they'll be others. On a personal note I've not played it, prolly won't play it as its not my kinda game but much respect to Death Stranding "Game of the Year"! Kinda rolls off the tongue huh?

[CorndogBurglar]

I think you guys are all just taking the quote too literally. Yes, obviously nothing is for everyone. But everything has it's own appeal levels. Some things have a much broader appeal than others.

Saying "its not for everyone" is just another way of saying it does not have the mass appeal of something like a CoD game. That's all.

[Tross]

Nothing is for everyone. That’s not how subjective enjoyment of media works. What matters is whether it resonates with a lot of people, and how much it resonates with those people. DS seems to be a success on those fronts.

[BadElf]

Water. Water is for everyone

Edit:except for IGN

[starchild]

Of course, but some things have broader appeal than other things. If 5 people think a certain game is the best game of all time it's not going to matter to all the people who didn't like it at all.

[ScootaKuH]

@badelf

IGN reviewed water and gave it 3.4 out of 10.

[SpineSaw]

You make a good point. I don't care for either FPS Halo or Gears and I've spent plenty of time in both over the years but neither does it for me but as you say it does "resonate" with many others. But I do like to get me FPS fix in some Call of Duty and as it turns out many others do the same. And to add to your "Nothing is for everyone" point no Kojima game is for everyone that, that's just fact! ...Good point and well done Sir!

[bluefox755]

No game is for everyone, I don't know why this has to even be said. I don't like CoD, but I don't go into every CoD article saying "This game isn't for everyone.". Not sure why people are doing that with this game.

[xX-oldboy-Xx]

Hahagoty - But it didn't flop in any sense of the word, it's meta just proves what the op was saying.

[xX-oldboy-Xx]

bluefox - Because it's a completely different, unique style of game. It's very hard to categorise, but people who like it generally love it.

[The Wood]

Roflisgud

Clearly it was just sony fanboys who appreciated this game...... sodium bomber you be.

Glad there are some people who can appreciated games that aren't the norm.

[garos82]

agreed. " this game is not for everyone" argument is lazy and actually rather a pointless statement. Fifa is not for everyone, Gran turismo is not for everyone, Tetris is not for everyone.

[neutralgamer1992]

2 big ps4 exclusives in 2019 launched with mixed media reception but much better fan reception/sales

Days gone is an amazing game according to gamers but according to journalists it's average. Actual reviews from legit youtubers like skill up actually did the game justice. I was hoping DS is more like MGS but it seems like it's no so it's not my cup of tea

[SmielmaN]

Days Gone is fantastic. Excellent zombie game. My son and I can pick it up and play anytime and be quite happy.

Death Stranding is interesting in its design and completely did take on gameplay. I’m drawn in by a very original story and I’m currently plugging my way through Chapter 3 and just unlocked a truck (which has made the game pace pick up exponentially).

Both games are awesome. To say no one has liked these games is completely ignorant and such an idiotic statement that the commenters saying these things should prob recluse themselves from internet message boards since it’s clear they are simply trolls. The internet can use less trolls.

[starchild]

I'll see what I think when I play the game. But Sony fanboys say every Sony exclusive is wonderful, so, I'm sorry, but that doesn't mean much to me. Games getting review bombed, or the opposite, is completely in the realm of fanboy politics and I've learned that it's unreliable and pointless to pay attention to.

[TK-66]

Actually we have no numbers for either game. We had some early numbers for Days Gone and claims of it doing very well in NA but not much since. We have nothing on Death Stranding other than it getting knocked out of the UK charts far sooner than expected. There is currently no evidence to suggest this games sales hit intended targets.

[Muzikguy]

The game is great. I can't believe how much is involved in it but that's Kojima for you. The story is awesome and what he's doing with the controller is cool too. He's one of those guys that will do some interesting things on the PS5 for sure.

[lifeisgamesok]

Nice! Death Stranding is so different than what's out there and great at the same time

[telekineticmantis]

"Geoff Keighley is gonna be bias" they said.

Looks like Geoff is not the only one with a personal relationship with Kojima, right?

[lifeisgamesok]

Lol yep, the whining this game has brought out has been amusing

[SpineSaw]

Your right Geoff is a full blooded Xbox fanboy no question. No way Kojima gets any Game of the Year love from the Geoff Xbox show. But then it's not likely to need any love from Geoff as Death Stranding will get GOTY love from others.

[MasterCornholio]

Not a bad choice.

:)

[KyRo]

Resident Evil 2 REmake is easily GOTY for me.

[theshredded]

Nice! It's the freshest experience this gen. The first of many awards to come.

[masterfox]

Well deserved.

[CanadianTurtle]

It all seems nice now, but in a few years, what if more games start doing the same? What if more AAA games use glorified CGI cutscenes as an excuse to compensate for boring gameplay? These awards shows are nice and all, but I really hope this damn game doesn't sway the industry into strictly "movie driven" games where cutscenes are the main selling point instead of gameplay. Don't get me wrong, I love my TellTale games, but I also love my AAA titles as well.

And I know for a fact that the games media doesn't have the balls to call out this behaviour. Just look at the reception of this game. Most people who enjoyed the game admit that the gameplay is boring, yet they still recommend the game. How do people go to journalism school and not be able to formulate the message that "Death Stranding is boring to play, but the cutscenes/storytelling is nice. So watch the cutscenes on YT instead of buying the game and wasting 50 hours of walking." How hard is it to admit that? I guess games media can't talk with Kojima's balls in their mouths. If this game didn't have Kojima's name attached to it, maybe we'd see some honest reviews.

[Knushwood Butt]

Games have had, 'glorified CGI cutscenes', for over a decade.

I can't imagine anyone forcing themselves to play DS just to see a cutscene, not that there are a large number of them in this game.

The game is really deep and you either invest time and get into it or bail. Simple as that.

Also, wallking is the only option for traversal in the opening chapters. If you so wish you can push ahead with the story in a few hours. Certainly not 50, but you clearly have an agenda here.

Don't like the game? OK.

[P_Bomb]

“ Don't get me wrong, I love my TellTale games, but I also love my AAA titles as well. ”

There it is. You just solved the problem. That should be the end of it. But...

“ I guess games media can't talk with Kojima's balls in their mouths. If this game didn't have Kojima's name attached to it, maybe we'd see some honest reviews.”

There’s over 100 reviews on meta. You got your democracy. If this is about you, there’s a solution to that too. Put yourself out there like the other hundred did. If you already think you know better than them without playing it, getting signed should be a walk in the park.

[S2Killinit]

And to think how hard some people tried to convince everyone that it was bad.

[Ristul]

Lets face it, most of those people never had a plan to play the game to begin with, like most of the user reviews that gave it the lowest score on metacritic.

[generic-user-name]

Even in this comment section right now. I'm 90 hours in and loving the grind for the plat. Zip lines ftw

[Edgelordsupreme]

I didnt know game-debate.com and their game of the year list held that much sway.

Anyways, I'm Princess Beach.

[bluefox755]

Well deserved, game is groundbreaking.

[IamTylerDurden1]

It deserves it.

One of the most innovative and fresh games I have ever played. Game of the year easily.

[CanadianTurtle]

What exactly is innovative about this game? The only positive qualities I see are storytelling and cutscenes. The gameplay is hardly innovative...

[Knushwood Butt]

Why don't you start by calling out what is not innovative?

[TK-66]

@Knushwood Butt

The shooting mechanics, ubi-towers, the vehicle mechanics, the stealth mechanics, ect. Now would you like to name all the things that make this game the most "innovative and fresh" game around?

[Elda]

The gameplay is fun to me & others.

[rainslacker]

You can travel anywhere. That was apparently super innovative in BOTW. And yet, DS takes that to a whole other level.

Not that I wish to compare the two, but the game does a great job at making a world that you can travel by many means. On top of that, why you have to travel, and what you travel with has a direct effect on your maneuverability.

The traversal in this game is by itself pretty damn innovative.

@TK

There are ubi-towers in the game? You mean opening up the map?

Just because it has things that are in other games doesn't mean that the game itself doesn't do anything new.

I don't believe it's the most innovative game around, but it certainly isn't as generic as some people seem to want to convince people it is.

[Knushwood Butt]

@TK-66

The online system. I've never played a game with an online implementation like this. Dunno if they exist or not.

That's a starter.

As for the stealth mechanics, I don't think I've played a game where you can hold your breath before. Also, changing footwear to improve stealth capability - may exist in other games but don't think I've played them.

[IamTylerDurden1]

Turtle & TK

The online structure is enormously innovative and far beyond what Dark Souls did. People aren't just leaving signs, they are building out worlds and repairing people's structures. Pooling resources. Making paths and routes, forming connections.

The stealth mechanics in terms of BTs are quite fresh as well. Reading the Odradek, strategically holding your breath, and calming your BB so you can see the threats around you.

The traversal mechanics and gameplay is very fresh for a AAA game. Managing/shifting weight, repelling down cliffs, climbing mountains and managing your stamina so you don't fall, anchoring in while crossing a river, balancing against harsh winds atop a hill or mountain, protecting against frostbite or death while sloshing through waist deep snow, building ladders and Bridges in order to cross difficult terrain. It's all very fresh. Like they injected a high quality mountain climbing Sim into a stealth action game. It's quite innovative and enormously entertaining, or, "fun" if you will...

The setting and story are both very fresh. It's post apocalyptic, alt reality, sci fi, horror. The concepts involved in the narrative with the beach and BTs are very progressive and forward thinking in terms of videogames.

The theme of love and people connecting is refreshing in the world of games.

The overall feel of the game from the incredible soundtrack to the compelling narrative, to the fascinating characters and interesting gameplay is that of something exceedingly original and unique.

The game feels fresh, the world is compelling, the mechanics are daring, the narrative is fascinating, and the overall experience has been incredibly entertaining and eye-opening. I love this game. I love the mechanics, the story, and everything it stands for. I love that someone still has the balls to be a risk taker in today's age off AAA games.

And the actual game is incredibly high in terms of production value and polish. It's a beautiful AAA game with incredible sound design and A1 actors. It runs well, the online infrastructure is near flawless, there is a plethora of content and no day 1 DLC or microtransactions.

This is not the game to spend your life campaigning against. Daring, polished, AAA games with a wealth of content and no MTs are the type of games we as a community should support.

[TK-66]

@rainslacker

"Just because it has things that are in other games doesn't mean that the game itself doesn't do anything new."

I find myself having to do this far too often with you @rainslacker. Show me once where I said this game "doesn't do anything new". Don't attribute things to me which I never said or a conversation can't be had.

@Knushwood Butt

When you say the online system do you mean the concept of not sharing a world, but sharing items used in your world with another players world? I'm going to direct you to Pokémon Go if that's the case. Lure modules did this years ago.

"As for the stealth mechanics, I don't think I've played a game where you can hold your breath before."

Are you serious? You've never played a Call of Duty game have you? Games have had stealth mechanics linked to different boots before as well; Skyrim is an easy example.

Interesting definition of innovative we have going on in this thread.

@TylerDruden1

"The stealth mechanics in terms of BTs are quite fresh as well."

Not even slightly. BT's are effectively traffic cones that move if you get too close. They're easily avoidable without the use of any equipment so whatever substance there is to them in gameplay need not be mentioned because it's easily avoided. None of this is fresh or innovative.

The traversal is not innovative. They basically made the game into one long balancing act of pressing L2 and R2 as if I'm constantly trying to cross a river by walking on a log. Claiming that this games platforming mechanics are innovative requires you be extremely specific. Rappelling is not innovative in game design, and building structures or having a shared world element isn't either.

The next half of your comment in no way points to anything innovative. You're effectively just repeating yourself and saying "I liked it". This games staunchest defenders are completely incapable of analysing this games gameplay let alone it's narrative themes.

"This is not the game to spend your life campaigning against."

If the best defence that can be mounted for this game is on display with your comment then the odds are against you and not me.

[Muzikguy]

@Tyler

Great comment and description of the game. You are exactly right

@TK

If you don't like the game that's fine but you're grasping at straws trying to discredit it and it really shows. Not everything (or even anything) will be 100% new and different. Not even those Indies you love do that. Imagine how fast we would run our of ideas. Give someone credit.for trying to be different since that's what you claim to want so much anyway. You sound miserable in your rebuttals.

[Knushwood Butt]

@ TK

For the online I was talking about the overall co-op apspect with likes, placing signs, supporting with structure building and maintenance.

How about bodily fluids? Urinating. Urinating on enemies as a weapon. Showering and using the sweat as a tool. Using your own blood as a weapon. Using human waste as a weapon / benefit where these creatures grow on the remains and you can eat them.

[TK-66]

@Muzikguy

Another person trying to dogpile while contributing nothing to the discussion.

"Give someone credit.for trying to be different since that's what you claim to want so much anyway. You sound miserable in your rebuttals."

Sorry for hitting a nerve with you for criticizing Death Stranding. In regards to the discussion of this game being innovative everything people have mentioned has been done before. Also I don't sound like anything in my rebuttals; they're text comments so the way you read them is pure projection. Try harder to mask your pettiness a little better next time.

@Knushwood Butt

"For the online I was talking about the overall co-op apspect with likes, placing signs, supporting with structure building and maintenance."

You're still basically describing mechanics found in Pokemon Go and now Dark Souls. This is not innovation. You can say you like these features and make reasonable defenses of them, but you can't claim them as innovation when they've been done before. Emojis are not innovative.

"How about bodily fluids? Urinating. Urinating on enemies as a weapon. Showering and using the sweat as a tool. Using your own blood as a weapon. Using human waste as a weapon / benefit where these creatures grow on the remains and you can eat them."

These would be part of the narrative/lore/world-building. They're interesting, but ultimately Kojima was very lazy in how he decided to use them. They basically end up being made into grenades and "blood bullets" for any combat purposes. These elements don't manifest in gameplay in a way that's unique or interesting, and end up resembling basic combat equipment. Also want to point out that this mechanic of using waste products as weapons has multiple in-game promotions tied to it. It comes across as him creating scenarios where he could easily include product placements rather than for the desire to create an interesting lore element.

If I'm to consider this innovation I'd have to consider South Park as innovative for making farts a weapon. Chemical warfare didn't start with Death Stranding...

[rainslacker]

@TK

Sorry. But you are responding to someone talking about the innovative things, then going to list a bunch of things, so I thought you were trying to be relevant by saying that those things weren't innovative. People have listed the innovative things in countless forum posts on this game for weeks now, yet people like to keep ignoring these things, and acting like they've never been told what others have said.

It gets tedious, because despite you saying you want people to list the innovative things, you'll then go into the next thread and act like you never got a response.

The traversal in this game is innovative, and you can pretty much go anywhere with enough ingenuity. The online components are more in depth than what you saw in some of the souls type games. The stealth some are saying adds a bit of depth, but I personally feel it's kind of weak overall since it's not really required, and just going into fights tends to be more efficient, but if people want to see it as innovation, then yeah, I guess there is some there.

The story centers around making connections with others. The whole game is better if you play it online because of the online stuff, and that's something that a lot of games fail at....even when they are online games.

[Knushwood Butt]

@ TK

These would be part of the narrative/lore/world-building. They're interesting, but ultimately Kojima was very lazy in how he decided to use them. They basically end up being made into grenades and "blood bullets" for any combat purposes. These elements don't manifest in gameplay in a way that's unique or interesting, and end up resembling basic combat equipment. Also want to point out that this mechanic of using waste products as weapons has multiple in-game promotions tied to it. It comes across as him creating scenarios where he could easily include product placements rather than for the desire to create an interesting lore element.

If I'm to consider this innovation I'd have to consider South Park as innovative for making farts a weapon. Chemical warfare didn't start with Death Stranding...'.

All I get from that is that it is innovative but you try not to accept it by moving the goal posts. Part of the narrative/law/world building? Come on.

[TK-66]

@rainslacker

I refer you to my previous comment:

"Show me once where I said this game "doesn't do anything new". Don't attribute things to me which I never said or a conversation can't be had."

Until you show me you're capable of basic reading comprehension I won't engage in a discussion with you.

@knushwood Butt

"All I get from that is that it is innovative but you try not to accept it by moving the goal posts. Part of the narrative/law/world building? Come on."

You literally have no idea what you're talking about. A grenade is a grenade. Its function in Death Stranding is nothing new. How does it being made out of piss and shit make it function differently? Answer: It doesn't. And yes it is part of the narrative/lore/world building. If you disagree with that you have absolutely not idea as to what you're talking about and just winging.

To demonstrate this you can ask yourself a simple question: If it was a psychic grenade instead how would it function differently against BTs? What is it about your precious shit and piss that makes it innovative?

[TeamIcoFan]

...In a year with RE2 Remake, Metro Exodus, Days Gone, Final Fantasy XIV : Shadowbringers, Devil May Cry 5, and Shenmue 3?
Yeah, no.
I love Kojima's games, but people are putting him on waaaaaaaay too high of a pedestal.
People are treating him like he's the motherfuckin' William Shakespeare of video games.

[monkey602]

I adored Resi 2, Metro Exodus, DMC 5 and Sekiro. Choosing my favourite of them is tough but I'm seriously starting to consider Death Stranding my own personal GotY

[TeamIcoFan]

I've yet to play Sekiro, but heard lots of people talking about it, and only good things too.

[Imalwaysright]

He made the best game I ever played but that doesn't stop me from saying that Death Stranding at best is a mediocre game.

[TeamIcoFan]

In this case you're not always right, cause Death Stranding isn't even that.
It's a movie with some gameplay, 90% of which is walking from point A to B, loaded with product placement that makes Zack Snyder's Man of Steel look subtle. >_>

[Imalwaysright]

Hahagoty

Completely agree. I'm glad that Kojima got to do the game he wanted but I have to say thank you but no thank you.

[Muzikguy]

@Team

I'm over halfway through the game and I don't see where the movie references keep coming from. People act like it's one giant cutscenes yet there are hardly any in the game up to this point. The ones that are in are well done, and the "mysterious man" that keeps showing up to talk you make it interesting. None are long at all.

[IamTylerDurden1]

Team Ico

Did you even play the game?

Chapter 4 was a "movie"?

[lifeisgamesok]

Out of these I admittedly only played 3 of the games you listed but Death Stranding is my GOTY

[xX-oldboy-Xx]

Every game you mentioned has a similar game out there, be it look or gameplay. Death Stranding is completely new in terms of the gameplay loop.

In this day and age that deserves to be applauded, a huge risk by Sony and Kojima.

Don't be surprised if/when it wins more GOTY awards. The quality can't be denied.

[TeamIcoFan]

Just because it's new, doesn't automatically make it good.
And besides, what does Death Stranding do that no other game hasn't?
Plenty of other walking simulator games exist, and building in a big, open world isn't new either, and the online portion of it is something already done by the Souls series.

[xX-oldboy-Xx]

Because the core gameplay is something you don't find in other games. To describe it is to over simplify it - that's why "It's not for everyone" is used when talking about DS.

Nothing is automatically good, but this game does have an audience, that can't be denied. It also has a rabid following from people who don't like the game - even without playing. That also can't be denied.

[DaDrunkenJester]

New =/= Good

[xX-oldboy-Xx]

Here he is - now all the spuds are in a Death Stranding article, no - sorry, we're missing a few. No doubt they'll be here shortly.

You've all gotta let it go, the game is quality - nothing can change that. If it's not for you so be it.

There will be many more DS articles - how long can you lot keep it up?

It didn't work for Days Gone and it clearly hasn't worked for DS.

[lifeisgamesok]

I couldn't have said it better. Death Stranding deserves every bit of praise it gets

[Muzikguy]

These articles are filled with people claiming that fans are forcing others to like a game yet all I continue to read are comments by people trying ever so hard to discredit the game. Strange world

[AspiringProGenji]

@Rolf

And here you are, doing the same idiotic thing instead of making a difference. What!?

[TK-66]

"Death Stranding is completely new in terms of the gameplay loop"

Fetch quests, resource grinding and Ubi-towers are not at all new in terms of gameplay loops. Calling this game 'completely new' is a huge exaggeration that cant be backed up. In terms of gameplay, the only thing that I can think of that's different is the consequences for death, but even then praising it for that is a stretch as the game is almost incapable of offering any challenge on the hardest difficulty.

"The quality can't be denied"

It can with reasoned analysis. We can actually look at what this game does and identify numerous elements as lacking in quality. Anyone would know this is possible from a basic secondary school english language education.

"Thank fuck for Sony is all I can say."

Indies are vastly more innovative and creative than Sony. Sony has shown themselves to excell at one genre: action-adventure games. Whenever they stray out of that genre they have a mixed record.

[xX-oldboy-Xx]

TK-66 - The menagerie is almost complete. All it takes is an article praising Death Stranding.

Split hairs all you like mate, where is it lacking in quality? Sound design? Art direction? Graphics? Gameplay? Story?

Easy to throw shade without backing it up knuckles.

You lot really don't know how much joy it brings me reading your embarrassing comments regarding Death Stranding.

Next up Ghost Of Tsushima and TLOU2 - and then onto PS5, keep fighting the good fight gents.

[TK-66]

@Oldboy

"Easy to throw shade without backing it up knuckles."

Interesting how you can make claims and not back them up, but as soon as someone offers a different view you starting quivering and demanding evidence, lol. How laughable. We can go through the terrible driving mechanics and the awful physics, the shooting mechanics being a stripped down version of MGS, the stealth systems basically being an obstacle course at best, the games lack of difficulty, the ubi-tower activity being forced into the main missions, the games inability to treat the player as though they're smarter tha a child, ect. Take your pick and we can discuss specifics.

"There will be many more DS articles - how long can you lot keep it up?"

How long are you going to avoid talking about the "quality" content in Death Stranding? For something that "cant be denied" you seem to be consistently incapable of actually identifying what these things are. Not to mention your inability to show how this game is "completely new".

Guess it's you who's throwing shade at me without backing it up now kiddo.

[xX-oldboy-Xx]

TK - I enjoy the driving and the gunplay, I also enjoy the challenge of traversing some of the more difficult terrain.

Does that help?

Now - it's completely new in regards to what it asks of its audience. No other game has made the simple act of walking a challenge - that alone makes it 'completely new'. And its a challenge that I'm enjoying immensely.

Porter Level 315

[TK-66]

@oldboy

"I enjoy the driving and the gunplay, I also enjoy the challenge of traversing"

And there it is. The classic "well, I enjoy it" defence. We can all like bad games dude, but you claimed it's quality "can't be denied". Of course when someone comes at you with a point backed with substance you go all quiet.

"Does that help?"

Where did that attitude about backing things up with knuckles go? You've got a loud roar, but a tepid bite.

Now the game is objectively easy. If you personally find it hard then that due to your lack of competency; the experience is easy to seasoned gamers. The BT's are easily avoided, and the MULES offer no threat once you get the AR. If you think the traversal is difficult then you're basically saying you find it difficult to use the analog stick to balance across a walkway in Tomb Raider. That's basically what you're doing for the entirety of DS. The rest is basic platforming, but it definitely has some polished elements.

If your entire defence comes down to just enjoying it then you've conceded on its quality being undeniable.

[xX-oldboy-Xx]

TK - the games quality, what don't you get? I've played nearly 100hrs - haven't come across any bugs, graphics are superior to pretty much everything else on the market. Sound design is absolutely fantastic, story is unique and filled with memorable characters - what more do you need? Whatever it is you can find it elsewhere - off you go.

Loud roar, tepid bite - whoa don't hold back big fella. You silly tit haha

I'm not writing these posts to convince anyone to see things my way. I couldn't care less, people are fee to make up their own minds.

It's not 'hard' you peanut, I said it was challenging in reference to the difficulty in walking when loaded up as opposed to other games. And no one is using an analog stick to balance in DS.

And who would play Tomb Raider if they can play the superior Uncharted games?

But you keep twisting words all you like.

[TK-66]

@oldboy

"the games quality, what don't you get?"

The part where the main missions primarily consists of fetch quests, and activating Ubi-towers; the shooting mechanics are a stripped down version of MGS and almost no enemy variety; the stealth is basically weaving through traffic cones that start moving if you get too close; the vehicle mechanics are laughable as something as small as a pebble causes the bike to crash, and you can drive up ridiculously steep inclines bypassing any challenge.

Your entire opinion of this game comes down to "I like it", but you don't actually know why you like it. You're unable to critique this game but will frequently post your time played as some sort of qualification. You can play a thousand hours and I'm sure you'd be no closer to critically understanding why you enjoy the game.

"whoa don't hold back big fella. You silly tit haha"

Ooof looks like I hit a nerve. Don't feel bad about being unable to back your claim of this games quality being undeniable. You're just a child screaming about how amazing your new toy is, but if anyone voices an objection you start throwing a fit. It's okay kid; you'll get over it.

"I'm not writing these posts to convince anyone to see things my way."

I know. You're writing them to convince yourself that you actually believe this game to be flawless, lol.

" I said it was challenging in reference to the difficulty in walking when loaded up as opposed to other games."

Lol, come on dude you're being dumb now. No one praises Skyrim for being more difficult when you're over encumbered. The traversal is not difficult; you're just a shite player. Hard truth but I'm afraid you need to be told it.

"And who would play Tomb Raider if they can play the superior Uncharted games?"

Someone who appreciates even a semblance of intelligence when it comes to level design? Uncharted is a literal example of the straight line followed by a cutscene level design, so it's not as praise worthy as you think. Tomb Raider atleast had some design and backtracking implemented making it very much superior in that area. Uncharted is not quite as superior as you think my dude. I'm sure your best response to that would be "but I enjoyed it" LOL.

[IamTylerDurden1]

The game isn't a walking Sim for f*** sakes.

If u played the game u would know it has guns, vehicles, boss fights, melee, and more.

Chapter 4 is all action for crying out loud.

Yes, chapter 1 and 2 ease you into the mechanics, but it opens up at chapter 3 in a huge way.

And no, Dark Souls online mechanic is not nearly the same level. It's similar in theory, but Death Stranding takes it to a whole new level. People aren't just leaving signs, they are rebuilding each other's world's.

The online mechanic in Death Stranding is enormously innovative.

The gameplay loop and traversal mechanics are very innovative. How many mountain climbing simulators do u know of?

The sheer artistry is also on another level in my opinion. Even the prologue cutscenes are breathtaking.

The stealth is fairly fresh, using the odradek and holding your breath. Calming the baby so BTs can be spotted.

The theme and story are also very fresh.

[MrVux000]

''People are treating him like he's the motherfuckin' William Shakespeare of video games.''

Based on his track record in last 20 years or so, he mothertrucking IS the William Shakespeare of video games (...) Nay! (...) He is Cervantes of video games!

[TeamIcoFan]

https://gph.is/2BmFSlI

[MrVux000]

@TeamIcoFan

https://media1.tenor.com/im...

[xX-oldboy-Xx]

It's hilarious how hard they all try, no wonder the big publishers don't want to take risks on new ips.

Thank fuck for Sony is all I can say.

It's truly embarrassing

[jznrpg]

Where has anyone said that? It’s just a GoTY award not a Nobel Prize

[Muzikguy]

How Kojima fleshes out his games and the attention to detail does make him a sort of Shakespeare. That doesn't mean that there are other good games as well. Doesn't take credit away from Kojima either

[rainslacker]

Seems some people really, really want to show their disdain for Kojima. It's like if people respect him, they're somehow harmed personally, and their pet bunny ends up getting a migraine or something.

[Muzikguy]

@rain

Right? Some people really have narrow minded views and are hypocritical to the max. If someone owns a company they're looking to get loyal customers, but be a loyal customer on N4G and people call you all kinds of names. Childish, and makes one wonder what these kids even do for a living. Do they call all their customers blind ignorant fools too? Hmmm....

[generic-user-name]

Nice list of games that are inferior to Death Stranding. Or is your opinion the one, true opinion?

[Knushwood Butt]

The people that are playing and talking about this game are doing just that; talking about the GAME. Not Kojima.

[MrVux000]

Well deserved GOTY award and there will be plenty more to come from the looks of it.

[Mikeyy]

Nicely done Kojima! DS wasn't my cup of tea, but neither was zone of the enders. Still love the guy!

I really hope he makes a silent hills "style" game next!

[Yui_Suzumiya]

He is prepping to make "the scariest game ever" next. He tweeted about it recently.

[Vetalka83]

loved the game but i still think RE2 deserved it more.

[CaptainHenry916]

Well deserve!!

[GameBoyColor]

man, fire emblem rated much higher, had more 10s, has a higher user rating, yet it wont touch any of the games on that list let alone death stranding probably cuz the industry is biased against anime games...

[helicoptergirl]

It does NOT have more 10's on metacritic. It only has 10.

[Mithan]

Deserves this.

[bumbleforce]

Obviously the best arnt nominated because death stranding was nominated

[Fraggle1987]

I genuinly really enjoyed DS. LIking Fallen order now but tbh DS is defo a better game. Very different and so amazingly polished.

[uptotheroof]

I enjoyed the hell out of it and so have others. If you dont like it, cool, that does not mean it bad game.

[TheHateTheyGive]

To the shock of no one that kojimas boy gives this lackluster boring game game of the year, this is the best way to lose credibility. Game of the year is supposed to be a game that's fun and the majority will enjoy, i played and found it boring, tedious and dragged. The story is ok, but game of the year this is not.

[Elda]

Opinions opinions everyone has one.

[helicoptergirl]

Geoff Keighly had nothing to do with this award. You don't even know what you're talking about do you?

[rainslacker]

Yeah, not in any way possible that people just like the game. It's all a conspiracy, and for some inexplicable reason, there are just a bunch of blinded fans out there perpetuating this massive disservice to the gaming community. Obviously, people such as yourself are much more enlightened and can see just what's going on, and can wade their way through the BS, and we should all thank you for your service to consistently come into gaming forums to tell us how they, and all of us, are just wrong for liking something because we like it.

[helicoptergirl]

I loved this game very much. This game is my Game Of The Year too. So beautiful and thought provoking. I wish I could play again for the first time.

[Muzikguy]

It really is. Every time I play I try to get immersed into the world but it's quite difficult with a 3 year old running around. It's still a really great game though and I've had to take my time with it. I know I missed quite a bit as I've gone along but it's still been a blast. So much to follow with it. Kojima does a great job at that

[waverider]

The problem with Death Stranding isnt being boring, not for everyone, walking simulator, fedex and all the bad labels that so many told, it was to try and downplay something new... First it was because its on PS4, second because Kojima wanted to make on the PS4, third because playstation got another goty on their hands, where others wont have one all GEN. Beside the boring old formula, werent able to make a single new IP with goty quality. This will be the first of many awards that this game will win.

[Elda]

There were a lot of great games released this year that I enjoyed playing but DS is something I find unique from other games & I'm enjoying it immensely.

[silenthillstrangler]

What a sad indictment.

[Hardiman]

It's always a joy to go through the comments section to read how much people enjoy the game focused in the articles. But what I don't care for is shit like this..."the Sony fanboys are crying " or like in this one "becuz the Sony children cannot handle the Kojima made a mediocre game" or "no one liked Days Gone and I think wasn't successful " Now see you can't debate someone who is delusional and making comments like that that aren't factually true because Days Gone was a success and some of the reviewers who shit on it actually did revamped reviews because as it turns out many just blew through it and it's not a game that you'd want to do that. No it's an intense, detailed and impressive game! DS is the same way in that it's a marathon not a sprint.

Now I love a good debate but to have a good debate you need to act like an adult not a spoiled little 13 year old. But most are just trolls who haven't even played the game they are shitting on so there's no need to debate them. That said I'm convinced that a lot of these trolls are the same person just with multiple accounts. Just like an artist style is recognizable if you know what you're looking for, writing has a style itself. If you're familiar with this you can easily spot them!

[starchild]

Yes, but there's no bias on other side, right? Every Sony game is automatically a masterpiece and nothing else gets the recognition it deserves. You don't think that gets tiring and annoying for normal gamers?

[MasterCornholio]

" You don't think that gets tiring and annoying for normal gamers?"

Actually normal gamers are probably ok with the praise that great games get in general. Just so happens that Sony and Nintendo are known to produce some extremely high quality games which is why they are praised often here.

Microsoft also makes good games but it can be argued that their 1st party is weak compared to those two. Heck Phil even said so himself which is why they bought those studios to help fix the issue.

[Elda]

Most PS exclusives this gen have been great enjoyable experiences something the PS platform has a reputation of,including going back to every gen of PS consoles & the exclusives for them. You can't take that rep away.

[rainslacker]

Not every Sony game is a masterpiece. But the vast majority of them are very high quality games. Not everyone may like every one, but objectively speaking, they are not bad. Not on a technical or conceptual level.

[CBaoth]

well we appreciate your concern but who are the normal gamers you're fighting for here? On N4G? All you really do is type woke comments in defense of the little guys (MS and Ninty fans?) and disgustingly praise EVERY single assasin's creed game on PC as the greatest visual spectacle in gaming.

We all have bias here. You're no different but please, do be careful when stepping off your soapbox. I wouldn't want ya to get a splinter.....oh that's right Ubisoft killed off Sam Fisher in favor of more cookie cutter open-world action adventures. No worries mate preach on!

[VersusDMC]

Why do people keep calling this a walking simulator?!! I'm on bikes, trucks and zip lines 60% of the time. And I'm taking out terrorists to get materials to build roads with guns and other tools. I also take out the ghosts as well. I've honestly been in more combat in DS than RE2. Whoever calls it a walking simulator should be seen as a troll with an agenda...

[mandingo]

Man it was a bad year for games even considering this for GOtY.

[Traecy]

For me DS is like a fresh new experience when it comes to AAA videogames & so far the game has been a great one.

[ILostMyMind]

Well deserved.

[LucidIllusion]

Uh oh they done pissed off the miserable haters with this one

[Batzi]

Hope to see more of these! The game deserves it!

[CanadianTurtle]

What an age we live in. A game where the actual "gameplay" is tedious, but people forgive it because of glorified CGI cutscenes. But don't take my word for it; most reviewers that gave the game a good score admit that the gameplay is boring. Instead of classifying the game as "not for everyone," why not just admit the gameplay is tedious and you're better off watching the cutscenes on youtube instead?

Why would you go through 50 hours of tedious gameplay for 10 hours of CGI cutscenes? I could understand if the gameplay was fun, then it'd be worth it. But very few reviewers actually say the game is fun. Even the ones that gave it high scores. Most had a "meh" time with the game, and mostly just enjoyed the story/cutscenes. I know this sounds crazy, but why not just watch the cutscenes on Youtube? Why waste 50 hours of your life on something you're not even enjoying?

[jznrpg]

Why do you get to decide what others are enjoying

[Knushwood Butt]

CanadianTurtle has spent more time ranting about DS than I've spent walking in DS.

[Elda]

Clearly.

[Elda]

Clearly your opinion. I'm 45 hrs into the game & I'm about to end ep 9 with 5 more episodes to go,for me the game is unique,interesting & I'm having a great time (fun) playing it. What you may think is tedious,meh & waste of time there are others such as myself that are enjoying the game for what it is.

[rainslacker]

I've played about 25 hours so far...maybe close to 30. I haven't found it tedious. I probably have spent more time walking, but I've also spent plenty of time driving, and I'm loving setting up and using zip lines. Also, outside of skipping all the transitional cutscenes for delivering cargo, or going into or out of your room, and including watching the "cut scenes" for when you set up new parts of the network, I've probably watched less than 30 minutes of those glorified CGI cut scenes you mention.

It's always easy to see who hasn't played the game, and who just regurgitates the hater rhetoric that they get from other fan boys because they can't be bothered to try the game themselves. They're the ones that say things like you do.

[ILostMyMind]

Why not just play it instead?

[IamTylerDurden1]

Death Stranding is phenomenal and extremely fun for me.

Watching the world grow and influencing other people's world's, very fun.

Traversing a mountain and getting the shortest distance ever taken. Fun.

Defeating bosses and stealthing an entire Mule camp. Fun.

Riding your motorcycle through wild terrain. Fun.

Getting new gear, leveling, and running/jumping at incredible speeds/distances with your speed skeleton. Fun.

Building and riding an expansive zip line infrastructure. Fun.

Gunning down WWI era skeleton soldiers and watching their head's pop. Fun.

Playing a fresh, innovative game with phenomenal visuals, a fascinating story, unique gameplay mechanics, and considerable polish? Extremely fun!

[WillyC009]

How many time’s are you going to post your bile on here? I’ve seen at least a bakers dozen from you on this article.

Take a deep breath and relax. You don’t like the game, great. Plenty of people do. News flash for you, your opinion isn’t fact and most people on here don’t care what you have to say. I know it may be hard for you to grasp. But as a fellow Canadian, chill.

[Veneno]

Game of the year and Game of the Generation. So far.

[bluebenjamin]

Lmao 😂

[bluebenjamin]

How is this game a contender for game of the year when so many people complained about it just wow the system is corrupt if Pong was Ps4 Exclusive it would also be contender for game of the year 😂 the system’s corrupt if this was a xbox exclusive it would suck

[IamTylerDurden1]

Most of the people complaining are people who never even played the game......like yourself.

The majority of people who legitimately played it and put extensive time into it absolutely LOVE the game.

[Veneno]

I'm thinking Kojima bribed everyone in the industry to get goty honors. Yeah that's gotta be it. How do you think he manipulated things to get goty? What's your theory?

[bluebenjamin]

Its a Playstation game so that just propels it (my theory)

[Export]

Death stranding only got a high rating due to Hideo Kojima. If someone else make it , its would be a 2 out of 10

[Veneno]

It would also get less unwarranted hate.

[FernDiggidy]

smfh

[Exvalos]

i called this 4 years ago when death strandings first trailer released I knew it was something special and would win goty whatever year it dropped.

[theeldergod]

who the fuck is game-debate? and why they called GLOBAL game awards. UNIVERSAL GAME AWARDS!!!