With the hype for Death Stranding in full force and us gamers finally have our hands on a release date, it inspired with me plenty of topics to pick from and discuss. The one I’m going to discuss today is where death in a video game isn’t the end for your character, which is exactly what happens to Sam in Death Stranding. As quoted by the DS team –
“There is no traditional ‘game over’ state in Death Stranding. Lose your life during combat and you’ll find yourself in an upside-down realm, searching for a way back to the living. Choose your combat methods carefully, as killing your foe is almost never the solution – and every death carries a consequence.”
With that in mind, here are three other games which I’ve played where the sometimes a pain-filled death isn’t the end of your adventure.
Sekiro Shadows Die Twice
Ah, Sekiro, you rage-inducing, hair pulling, controller throwing nightmare of a game. That doesn’t mean it’s not gorgeous though and with the resurrect mechanic, it proves to be quite the rewarding quest when you finally take down that boss who’s been kicking your butt for the majority of your playthrough.
Depending on what system you’re playing on, once the White Wolf meets his sometimes untimely demise, you will be prompted with a resurrect option. Perfect right? Perfect for a game which very closely resembles the Souls Series, where death is literally around every single corner, and in every single room, and sometimes even in treasure chests… Basically what I’m saying is having the ability to be brought back from the void is ideal for a game where you will be battered and bruised. A lot. This title also plays in the factor of every death having a consequence, like in DS. Whenever the White Wolf resurrects, the process will infect any NPC you have come across while in-game, be that the Sculptor who provided you with your Shinobi Prosthetic, or the old woman who mistakes you for her son.
Grand Theft Auto (Series)
Okay so the doctors and medical teams in Vice City/San Andreas/ Los Santos etc, all 100% deserve a hell of a pay rise. You can be walking down the street, minding your business and bam, from out of nowhere you are run over by some erratic maniac on the run from the law, or you could be having one of the standard GTA playthroughs of running and gunning like crazy and you yourself are mowed down by the cops. But never fear, the ‘Wasted’ screen isn’t the end for you. You will awaken in the nearest hospital, good as new, literally like nothings changed.
Well, you might find yourself short in the pocket as being pretty much brought back from the brink of death isn’t a cheap process, but hey, at least you are alive and kicking once more ready for some more carnage. Maybe make sure you’ve got enough dollars spare for when it inevitably happens again.
Assassins Creed (Series)
We all know about the eagle diving in the AC series, where you’ve synchronised a viewpoint and taken in the splendour of an amazingly beautiful view. But sometimes parkour isn’t all that simple and even the best-trained assassins find themselves toppling off a rooftop to their death from time to time. Maybe you’ve missed the target, missed the assassination target, or just plain pressed the wrong button on your controller, falling is something you will experience a lot playing these games.
Again but fear not, slamming into the ground and crumpling your body isn’t your death, but simply your desynchronisation. You will awaken, will all your gear, all your memories, all your everything, it’ll be as if it never even happened. Great huh? Another plus is in Assassins Creed Odyssey, once you reach a certain level in the game, you won’t even take fall damage! You’ll perform some pretty awesome gymnastic flips as you gracefully plummet through the sky.
I’m sure out there in the great video game universe, there are plenty more games where death isn’t the end, but these were the three which came to mind immediately when I thought of this topic and I honestly can’t wait for Death Stranding to get here, again using the mechanic of ‘Death isn’t the end’ and with its obvious obscure storylines, an amazing cast of characters and gorgeous visuals. Who really knows what’s going to be happening in this game? Probably only Kojima himself, but roll on November so we can all find out for ourselves.
TWO BEARD GAMING 