Death Stranding Director's Cut

Back in 2019, the newly formed independent version of Kojima Productions released Death Stranding, the first game directed by Hideo Kojima after his 2015 split from Konami. Since the game was also the first where Kojima was fully unleashed, for better or worse, reception from critics and players proved divisive (ironic considering the core theme of connections). While I completely understood its flaws in my review of the game, I still liked it enough that I got excited at the announcement of Death Stranding Director’s Cut, a PS5 release that added new content and general gameplay improvements. On top of that, it had an affordable digital upgrade for existing PS4 disc owners where they could get all of the new content and the Digital Deluxe Edition content for only $10, along with the patched-in ability to pre-emptively transfer your entire save file. Needless to say, I played this version of the game Day 1 and while it felt better suited for those just starting their journey to rebuild America, it still added enough to keep existing fans who transferred their save engaged.

If you’ve already played Death Stranding, the story doesn’t change dramatically for Director’s Cut. However, it does add a new Ruined Factory area with its own set of missions that players can experience as early as Chapter 2. While I won’t spoil what happens in this short series of missions, it does give off a Metal Gear vibe from the emphasis on stealth, even if a lot of it feels linear, and the emotional ending adds more depth to the backstory of the game and a certain major character.

The new story missions certainly feel like Metal Gear.

The biggest improvements, however, come from the gameplay tweaks and additions besides the ability to load save data exported to the PS5 version. While combat remains largely the same, Sam’s moveset now includes the ability to dropkick enemies from further away and MULE camps now have turrets that Sam can take control of, provided he can knock out the MULE using it. Upon completing the added set of story missions, Sam also has access to the Maser Gun, a non-lethal electrical weapon that’s even more effective in water. While ineffective against BTs, it does give Sam another way to fight MULEs without draining his blood.

Through completing additional missions, including the story content, Sam gains access to new equipment and structures that help make the game more accessible. These include the Support Skeleton, an exoskeleton that acts as a middle ground between the other three and recharges in the sun; the Cargo Cannon, which can fire cargo across long distances and has a built-in parachute for handling more fragile items; the Jump Ramp, which gives Sam and any vehicle he’s in increased hangtime in the air; the Chiral Bridge, which projects a bridge of hard light when it’s not raining or snowing; and the Roadster, a stylish vehicle that’s best suited for roads, but best saved for the new Fragile Circuit.

The Cargo Catapult can be a godsend for covering large distances.

Then there’s the new Buddy Bot, which acts as a version of the Delivery Bots that can accompany Sam into the field. Buddy Bots act like strict improvements over the Floating Carrier, since not only can they perform the same function of carrying excess cargo, Sam can ride one and they don’t require Chiral Crystals to move. While Buddy Bots can fulfill the autonomous purpose of a Delivery Bot, Sam can set them to a new Follow Mode to prevent them from going somewhere they shouldn’t. It should be noted, however, that using a Buddy Bot reduces your maximum Porter Grade to A for the delivery that it’s used.

Among the different options for mobility, Zip Line structures remain the best option for crossing America with fewer drawbacks. However, the road system has now been expanded with a new stretch of Auto-Pavers that cut through the mountains and more directly connect Mountain Knot City to the other side, which makes this method of travel far less tedious and circuitous. You’ll still run into trouble reaching certain Porters, but the amount of effort required is at least cut down significantly, so long as players have completed the road system (as I went out of my way to do in both versions of Death Stranding).

Sam’s backpack also receives an upgrade or two. While players can now place patches on the back, which each take up space, the Stabilizer now has a LV3 upgrade that makes it a worthwhile consideration, as it will better help slow Sam’s descent when dropping from high terrain. Again, however, this takes up space, so choose wisely.

Through Director’s Cut, PS5 players can also access the Half-Life and Cyberpunk 2077 content previously exclusive to the PC version. Both crossovers feature their own subplot told entirely through in-game messages and have Sam engage in a chain of Orders and deliveries to obtain unique items. While many of these are cosmetic, like Gordon Freeman’s glasses or V’s facial markings, other rewards are useful items that Sam can fabricate. These include the Yaiba Kusanagi reverse trike, which has improved jump height over a regular reverse trike; Truck (λ Type), which has increased durability over other trucks; Silver Hand, which acts as an improved Power Glove for climbing and combat; and Gravity Gloves, which let Sam grab cargo from much further away. While different crossover items are useful depending on the individual, I quickly found that there was no real reason to not use the Gravity Gloves due to their utility.

The Gravity Gloves are too good to not use (screenshot from the PC version).

Completing V’s missions also gradually improves the capabilities of Sam’s compass. First, Sam can set a destination marker so that it won’t disappear, followed by the ability to highlight and temporarily shut down MULE sensor poles, Odradeks and trucks. All of these drain the battery, so it’s fortunate that the final upgrade reduces the battery cost for each function. With this in mind, it’s best for players to complete the Half-Life and Cyberpunk 2077 crossovers as soon as possible, though preferably after obtaining the Maser Gun.

Director’s Cut offers new ways for players to interact through Ranked Orders, in which players can take on certain challenges and compete on a leaderboard. Examining figures in the Private Room will also let players access Nightmares, which allows replaying boss fights and Memories of Cliff and comes with a Ranked Nightmares option for those who feel more competitive. Replaying boss fights is always welcome, especially in games with interesting encounters, so I liked having the option to fight certain BTs without playing through long stretches of the actual game, especially since your equipment is restored afterwards whether you win or lose.

When accessing the Private Room from a delivery terminal, Sam can also access the Firing Range, a new space where players can play around with the various weapons available in Death Stranding. Fortunately, this space doesn’t just have virtual dummies floating around, but also lets players try out various challenges with their own restrictions to get a feel for the weapons in a more interactive space. While I’m not sure how much veteran players will use this space, it’s great for safely tackling multiple scenarios before applying that knowledge in the game proper.

Outside the Private Rooms, the space near the Timefall Farm now has its own structure for the Racetrack. Once players complete the Racetrack, they can compete in the Fragile Circuit in a series of time trials. For these time trials, players can use any vehicle they have on them or any stored in the garage, otherwise they will be provided a courtesy vehicle by the track. Each of the twelve time trials (four configurations for each of the three vehicles) spans three laps, the third of which pits you against the ghost of your fastest lap time. While on the track, vehicle batteries will automatically charge and players can drift around corners, though boosting will stop the battery from charging and hitting the invisible walls will automatically cancel the boost. Players can also change certain race settings and set the music that plays before each race, plus the races will gradually increase Sam’s Delivery Time stat, providing a possible avenue for those whose rating in that category has stagnated.

The Fragile Circuit can help improve the Delivery Time stat.

Of course, there are other smaller improvements to the overall experience. Director’s Cut features support for mouse and keyboard setups and supports immersive haptic feedback through the DualSense’s rumble and controller speaker. Fragile Jumps in the Private Room now use a map-based system instead of a list, enabling better planning for where to fast travel and incentivizing its use. While out in the field, players can also plan the route they’ll take for each delivery through the map screen, which can help greatly once you know how to use it effectively. Players can also more fully customize the colors of different equipment in the Private Room, including their BB Pod, though most of these options are locked behind completing new Orders Sam will receive from different Porters and distribution centers.

As a PS5 title, Director’s Cut improves the framerate and loading times over the PS4 original and allows different modes that prioritize either graphics or performance. For those who didn’t like the more blatant product placement, this version also does away with the Monster Energy, replacing it with the more generic Bridges Energy cans. However, the plugs for AMC’s Ride with Norman Reedus are still visible while using the toilet. On the upside, however, this version also features new music tracks that fit the atmosphere of Death Stranding and don’t feel out of place.

While the original release of Death Stranding proved divisive, Director’s Cut feels like an attempt to take feedback into account and improve upon the original while adding in new features that make the experience more robust and accessible. While existing fans will find more to enjoy in the title, this is also the perfect entry point for those who haven’t played the game before and are curious to check it out.