Why Death Stranding isn't actually the first 'strand game'

Hideo Kojima may be trying to say that Death Stranding is the first strand game, but that might not actually be true. There are other games with those same strand-like elements.

[ArchangelMike]

Well yeah - lets be honest here, it's the soulsbourne series that has popularised this idea of indirect-multiplayer games; where you can leave messages and signpost for other players - or what Kojima wants to call "Strand Games". I really liked the way it was implemented in Nioh as well, where you can ressurect and fight the spirits of fallen players.

However I haven't played Death Stranding, and I know that there are other elements to it, such a building structures and sharing loot etc.

[goldwyncq]

Sad how butthurt Kojima fanboys are downvoting this when its true.

[telekineticmantis]

In the souls series, you affect play with other players through direct contact, the point of a Strand Style Multiplayer, is to play with another player with out direct contact.

[Dragonscale]

@tele, the messages on the floor that players leave are a strand type mechanic. The direct contact is purely optional unless you get invaded.

[telekineticmantis]

@Dragonscale The Messages aren't a form of gameplay, it's not something that can be interacted with by using skill strength or luck.

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[DigitalHope]

This article is so stupid. I can’t believe I read it.

Okay, elements of “strand games” have been done before. Most of the examples this writer gives are not examples of what Kojima is calling “strand games”.

The closest to what Death Stranding is doing is the Dark Souls/Bloodborne/Shikero where you can leave a note to warn players about a boss or some strategy going forward and those notes can receive likes which I believe can give that user health or something. PVP aspects of those same games though are not an example of strand games.

The reason I believe Kojima can call Death Stranding the first strand game is because it is doing something not previously done. It takes the idea of notes and exaggerates into full blown affecting another persons game. Someone can use roads and shelters and bridges and lord knows what else that will affect their journey and make it easier. People will do the same for me and affect my game. Never has there been this aspect of shaping someone else’s experience in a single player game and never knowing who you’ve helped. It is new and different and it will be a mechanic that is copied.

[FunAndGun]

So he turned a note into a bridge? Omg, genius innovation, new genre created!

[Dragonscale]

Tbh Journey is another game with strand elements. Even though someone else is in your game you have no idea who they are and it affects your experience greatly. Its not exactly the same but its definitely a form of sranding.

[DigitalHope]

@funandgun

Nice troll but you’ve missed the point entirely or are being ignorant on purpose

@tiqila

Not the same, it’s a shared universe not a single player experience. That would be like calling Rust a strand game. It’s not at all the same.

[sprinterboy]

I came across a gamespot article today and in the comments one person said its best to turn off sign posting in the settings as gamers are leaving spoiler signs about?
Thats gonna be crap plus that means early review copies/respected reviewers etc have left them spoiler signs?
Does anybody know if the world will be reset for the launch?

[Hardiman]

Thanks for that info my friend!

[rainslacker]

I think the idea of strands is also part of the story in this game. I dunno if I'd say that about the other games.

[IMissJimRyan]

Oh, another Nintendo-made-it-first-and-you -cant-say-otherwise article.

[telekineticmantis]

Almost nothing people say Nintendo created first is actually true:

Donkey Kong- Space Panic
Super Mario- Pac Land, Spelunker.
Zelda- Hydlide, Dragon Slayer, Gauntlet, Rygar, Breath of Fire
Metroid- Rygar, Montezuma's Revenge, Spelunker, Jet Set Willy
Smash Bros- The OutFoxies
Mario Kart- RC Pro-AM, Paris Dekar Rally Special, Mad Crasher, Seicross
F-Zero-Cosmo Circuit, Matrix Marauders
StarFox- Star Wars 1983
Mario Odyssey Head lander, Dreams (Media Molecule)
Zelda Ocarina of Time Ultima Underworld, Elder Scrolls Arena(Side Quests, Large Open World, Alone in the Dark Ecstatica 1, and 2
Pokemon Shin Megami Tensei, SMTIF , Another Bible, SMT Last Bible 3,Robotrek
D-Pad Intellivision 2, Entexs Select A Game (Handheld).

Gunpei Yokai even said: Nintendo's way of adapting Technology, is not to look for the State of the Art Technology, but to Utilize Mature Technology that can be mass produced cheaply.

[InKnight7s]

Add to that Wii mote is from Playstation Move protoype.

But you gentleman, you are the garlic that kills Nintendo fanboys.

[SIANSLOW]

Not 1st, just better

[telekineticmantis]

@SIANSLOW Not always, LBP is better than Super Mario Maker, and arguably the PS ONE With Battery pack and screen, is better than switch because of controls.

[Hardiman]

Yeah I grew up a Nintendo fan, Hell I've had EVERY console they've released even a Switch(we have2) but the diehards are insufferable!

[King_Noctis]

Did Nintendo make Stardew Valley, My Time at Portia, and Tabletop Simulator as well? I could have sworn those games are also in the articles.

[Nacho_Z]

It is an interesting idea to have a shared world that people can build on and help or hinder each other. Some kind of (small) planet sized civilisation building 'strand' game could be fascinating to see how it ended up.

[FunAndGun]

Tomorrow Children like?

[Nacho_Z]

Something like that yeah, I'd never heard of it but watched a trailer. I was picturing something like a planet from No Mans Sky with a much more in depth building aspect and various environmental struggles like the weather and animals trying to kill you.

Like a cross between Civilisation, Sim City and a dash of NMS with the strand concept of Death Stranding.

[telekineticmantis]

Going in, I knew the article was gonna be a massive reach, but good God... really?

[Hardiman]

I love the way Kojima Productions has implemented it though. Like all the players collecting materials and pilling them together to make roads and bridges or how you can put out charging stations for others or Time Fall shelters. You can even hear a faint reply from another player sometimes when you say something. I love the parallel dimensions Theory! That were all in different realities in the same physical space.