Like many PlayStation exclusives, the polarizingDeath Strandingwill soon be getting a next-gen upgrade for thePlayStation 5. The fact that it’s getting a remaster isn’t necessarily shocking; it is one of the more prominent late-stage PS4 exclusives. What’s more surprising is just how different its upcoming PS5 update looks compared to the original release.
Since its announcement at Geoff Keighley’s Summer Games Fest,Death Stranding: Director’s Cuthasn’t been shy about showing off its new features, which cover everything from visual enhancements to entirely new, outlandish modes. It remains to be seen to what degree these additions enhanceDeath Stranding’sdivisive gameplay, but one thing is certain: This new release is far from the same game that came out two years ago.
RELATED:Watch Every Death Stranding: Director’s Cut Trailer
Death Stranding: Taking Advantage of the PS5
The most immediate difference betweenDirector’s Cutand its PS4 release comes down to looks. According to Kojima Productions,Death Strandingwill have two preset quality modes like many otherPS5 games. One is a performance mode featuring upscaled 4K and targeting 60 FPS, while a fidelity mode will offer native 4K presumably at a lower frame rate. Furthermore, the game will support 3D audio, as well as a widescreen mode that shifts the aspect ratio to 21:9. That said, it’s important to bear in mind that the PS5 does not natively support ultra-wide monitors.
Kojima Productions has also confirmed this new version will take advantage of theDualSensecontroller’s advanced haptics and adaptive triggers, the latter should be most noticeable when balancing Sam’s weight. Faster loading times courtesy of the PS5’s SSD will also be part of the game’s re-release.
New Story Missions
While the jury is still out on whetherDeath Stranding 2will happen, theDirector’s Cutlooks to continue the original game’s story, according to its trailers. Details are light on what this new tale will entail or when it will take place, but based on thefootage shown at this past summer’s State of Play and Gamescom, theDirector’s Cutwill at least feature one new indoor setting that looks ripped straight out ofMetal Gear Solid.
New Ways to Deliver in Death Stranding
Death Strandingis effectively a post-apocalyptic delivery simulator; it’s only right for theDirector’s Cutto introduce a few more delivery tools.PlayStation’s July 2021 State of Playhighlighted the cargo catapult, which players can use to launch cargo across the map; and Buddy Bot, which players can mount and put on autopilot to ride across America a laRed Dead Redemption 2’sauto-travel.
Death Stranding’spresence at Gamescomshined light on other gadgets at Sam’s disposal, such as a thruster pack that players can use to descend safely from high points and jump ramps that should allow players to clear large gaps.
New Combat Options, Challenges, and Replayable Boss Fights
The originalDeath Strandingisn’t particularly well known for its combat. Oddly enough, its PS5 re-release seems much more combat-heavy. At State of Play, viewers saw Sam wield new weapons and hand out flying dropkicks as though he’s in theWWE. If one doesn’t wish to go out intoDeath Stranding’sworld to find trouble, footage from Gamescom showed there’s even an augmented-reality challenge mode for players to test their combat skills in a controlled environment.
Fans ofDeath Stranding’sbossbattles can also now replay these encounters by checking out Sam’s figurine collection in his private room. In the original release, the only way to replay them was by loading an old save.
The Fragile Circuit
Perhaps the most unexpected addition thus far,Death Strandingwill be getting a racing mode. As demonstrated by the title’s Gamescom preview trailer, theFragile Circuitallows players to participate in time trials and compete against holograms of other players from behind the wheel. Notably present here is a new, aerodynamically race car that looks like it may be the quickestDeath Strandingvehicle yet.
PC-Exclusive Content
Despite initially being a PlayStation exclusive, thePC version ofDeath Strandingpreviously had exclusive contentthat never came to the PS4, including items and equipment inspired byHalf-LifeandCyberpunk 2077.Kojima Productions has confirmed this content will make its way to the game’s PS5 release. Additionally, on Twitter Hideo Kojima said that the PC-exclusive “very hard” difficulty mode will be included as well.
New Music
Followers ofHideo Kojimaon Twitter are surely aware of his music preferences, and new music that one can only presume Kojima has recently taken a liking to will appear in theDirector’s Cut. Songs from artists such as Apocalyptica, Midge Ure, and Woodkid are among the latest additions toDeath Stranding’ssoundtrack, which might be just as star-studded as its main cast.
