Fans look to Hideo Kojima’s works for a few things they can’t get almost anywhere else. For one, the number of creative options for players to proceed is second to none. Players can find different interactions between many mechanics and situations, and it’s been that way forover two decades of Kojima’s gamesfromMetal Gear SolidtoDeath Stranding. The stories and themes of Kojima’s games have often been praised for stepping into the political realm where few others tread and managing to represent it in both a prescient way and as a farcical fantasy. There is also an intense focus paid to both how his games look, and how they are “shot” and viewed at any given moment.
That emphasis on presentation isn’t just limited to how the games themselves are shown in gameplay or in cutscenes.Hideo Kojima has huge inspirations from the film industry, and because of that, he shows just as much cinematic love to his trailers.Death Strandingis a shining example of this, with the game only being communicated to eager fans in the form of single-shot trailers for the first couple years of its life.
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These trailers were intensely symbolic and baffling to all who saw them, but it built up a lot of hype for the game. Now thatDeath Stranding: Director’s Cutis on the verge of releasing, much of the game’s mystique has been pulled away, but the new trailers for saidDirector’s Cuthave done a great job of building some of it back up.
Death Stranding: Director’s Cut - Teaser Trailer
The first trailer forDeath Stranding Director’s Cutcame as a surprise at the Summer Game Fest 2021: Kickoff Live! event on June 10. It is a purely cinematic affair, but uses in-engine footage to get its point across. Sam Porter Bridges is seen exploring a dilapidated but guarded facility, a new sight inDeath Stranding. While attempting to figure out a way past the guards, Sam comes across a familiar cardboard box. Unfortunately, he has no idea how to use it himself and settles with placing it back on its shelf. This is a clear allegory for Kojima respectfullysaying goodbye to theMetal Gearfranchisebut also serves double duty as a vague teaser for new mechanics introduced in theDirector’s Cut.
Death Stranding: Director’s Cut - Pre-Order Trailer
The next trailer was released online a month later on July 8, and introduced the lion’s share ofnew features coming toDeath Stranding Director’s Cut, as well as its release date. New features such as weapons, equipment, and vehicles; a variety of new modes; and new story missions and areas were all introduced. The combat itself is getting overhauled, and players will be able to practice it via an equivalent toMetal Gear Solid’s VR missions and boss re-fights. It was clear thatDeath Stranding: Director’s Cutwas going to feel like a whole new game, and players also learned that they only had to wait until September 24 to try it.
Death Stranding: Director’s Cut - Preview Trailer
Next came the Gamescom 2021: Opening Night Live preview trailer, providing fans with a whopping nine minutes of gameplay and cutscene footage from the upcomingDirector’s Cut. Plenty of introduced features were expanded upon likethe new Fragile Circuit racing modeand photo mode. New story content was also in focus here, and it seems like Sam will be encountering both new human enemies and supernatural threats while exploring underground facilities.Death Strandingdoes take place across the United States of America, so there’s plenty of room for expansions.
Death Stranding: Director’s Cut - Final Trailer
The final trailer forDeath Stranding: Director’s Cutcame out September 8, and was edited by Kojima himself as a sort of sendoff toDeath Stranding. Set to Woodkid’s songGoliath, the trailer goes over the characters and general events ofDeath Stranding: Director’s Cut. Interested fans who have not experienced the base game may want to avoid this trailer, but it definitely sets the mood for theDirector’s Cut, as well as whateverKojima Productions title is coming afterDeath Stranding.
