Despite the original Death Stranding releasing back in 2019, I only got around to play it (in the Director’s Cut version) 2 years ago. And despite its many flaws, I really enjoyed it. It was a very unique title about the journey, where the movement took the center stage. Yes, it was a bit clunky, the storytelling was often self-indulgent and stupid, the combat and stealth were quite primitive and not very interesting, but just the process of moving between one point and the other, making deliveries, overcoming difficult terrain was far more engaging than I could’ve ever imagined.
Making a direct sequel to that game would’ve been an odd choice, but this is Hideo Kojima, so he’s full of odd choices. And besides, by the time I have played the game, the sequel was already announced. So… is it as magical as the original game? No. But it’s quite alright in its own way.