News: Recap and Analysis of Death Stranding's Story and Characters
✪ Introduction
Death Stranding, developed by
Kojima Productions
and directed by Hideo Kojima, is an narrative action adventure first released for
PlayStation 4
on November 8, 2019, with subsequent ports for PC, a Director's Cut for
PlayStation 5,
and a Xbox Series X|S version.
Known for its innovative gameplay and narrative depth, the game is set in a post-apocalyptic
America following the Death Stranding event, a mysterious phenomenon that has reshaped society
and introduced supernatural threats.
✪ World-Building
The game is set in a future United States where the Death Stranding has caused the boundaries
between life and death to blur, leading to the emergence of Beached Things (BTs), invisible
creatures from the afterlife. These BTs, formed from the dead via necrosis, cause "voidout"
explosions when consuming living humans, devastating whole areas.
✪ The Narrative Arc
The story follows Sam Porter Bridges (Norman Reedus), a freelance courier and repatriate
with DOOMS, allowing him to sense BTs. His journey begins with a delivery to Central Knot
City, facing Timefall and BTs, aided by Fragile (Léa Seydoux).
A voidout destroys Central Knot City after a corpse disposal encounter, and Sam revives in
Capital Knot City, meeting Deadman (Guillermo del Toro) and delivering morphine to the dying
President Bridget Strand (Lindsay Wagner/Emily O'Brien), his adoptive mother, who urges him
to rejoin BRIDGES to "reform America."
Sam takes her body for incineration and adopts the BB "Lou" against UCA orders, forming an
strong emotional bond.
Amelie Strand (also Wagner/O'Brien), Sam's sister, reveals she led an expedition connecting cities to the Chiral Network for instant communication, but was captured by terrorists at Edge Knot City. Sam, following Die-Hardman (Tommie Earl Jenkins), journeys west, delivering cargo, researching the Death Stranding with Mama and Lockne (Margaret Qualley), Heartman (Darren Jacobs), and thwarting Higgs Monaghan (Troy Baker).
Memories show Clifford Unger (Mads Mikkelsen) and his family. At Edge Knot City, Sam defeats
Higgs, learning Amelie is an Extinction Entity planning the Last Stranding to end life, and
Bridget/Amelie are the same, split during Beach experiments. Sam convinces Amelie to delay the
Last Stranding, separating her Beach forever.
Die-Hardman becomes President, Fragile rebuilds, but Lou is dying. Sam, following Deadman, removes
Lou from the pod, connecting to save her, discovering he's Clifford's son, a resurrected BB. Deceased
BB spirits save Lou, and Sam goes "off the grid," raising Lou ("Louise") in a post-credits scene.
✪ Main Characters and their Roles
Sam Porter Bridges
The Protagonist, courier with DOOMS and repatriate abilities, central to reconnecting
America.
Amelie Strand
Sam's sister, Extinction Entity, pivotal to the Last Stranding plot and split from
Bridget.
Bridget Strand
The current President and Sam's adoptive mother, dies early and sets everything in motion.
Higgs Monaghan
The main antagonist, terrorist leader with DOOMS and opposes Sam's efforts.
Fragile
Key ally and another courier, that aids Sam throughout the story and later rebuilds
her own company.
Deadman
A member of BRIDGES who supports Sam medically and ultimately reveals Sam's past.
Die-Hard Man
He is part of the conspiracy surrounding Bridges and knows the secrets of the President,
the BBs, and the beach itself.
Mama and Lockne
Twins and chiral experts, both assist Sam with the network expansion, they become
one throughout the story.
Heartman
A Scientist that studies the Death Stranding phenomenon in a desperate search for
his wife. He also provides Sam with philosophical insights.
Clifford Unger
A Soldier and Sam's father, connected to the BB program and in search of his BB.
✪ Themes and Significance
The narrative explores connection and isolation, both physically (via the Chiral Network)
and emotionally (Sam's bond with Lou). The Beach, a realm between life and death, serves
as a metaphor for existential boundaries, reflecting themes of life, death, and the afterlife.
The game critiques technology's dual role, with the Chiral Network mirroring real-world digital
connectivity's benefits and risks. Multiplayer mechanics, where players can build structures and
leave supplies, reinforce community and cooperation, aligning with the story's focus on rebuilding
society.
The relationship between Sam and Lou highlights parenthood and sacrifice, with Sam's journey paralleling Clifford Unger's, emphasizing resilience and hope. The story's philosophical depth, combining action and horror, creates a unique gaming experience, addressing existential and societal questions.
✪ Director's Cut Content
The Director's Cut, released for PlayStation 5 in September 2021 and Windows in March 2022,
includes new story missions in the Ruined Factory, accessible after certain points, with new
gear and narrative details.
However, these are additional content and not altering the main plot, focusing on side stories
rather than core narrative changes.
✪ Conclusion
The story of
Death Stranding
is a complex tapestry of post-apocalyptic survival, supernatural horror, and philosophical inquiry,
centered on Sam's mission to reconnect a fractured America.
Its exploration of connection, isolation, and the human spirit, through characters like Amelie,
Higgs, and Lou, offers a profound narrative, enhanced by innovative gameplay mechanics and thematic
depth.