Unraveling Death Stranding's Existentialist Themes | Complete Review 

I was struggling with being able to afford food yesterday due to financial difficulties, mental health issues and arthritis causing pain for me when I cook. And I asked online in a local community page for help, and I was delivered a package of food from a kind stranger who drove to my house and gave me groceries. It reminds me of the theme in death stranding. I didn’t meet the person face to face either, but I connected online. It really reminds me of the game, despite having never played it. This movie really describes it perfectly. And how apt that it matched my situation perfectly.

I am astonished at the breadth and depth of this creator. I would run out of superlatives if I tried to describe how wonderful this small film can transform what is on the surface a video game into a philosophical meditation. This isn't a video review of a game; it's an experience in itself - a beautiful one I hope more people enjoy. Thank you so much for this gift. Brilliantly executed. Seasons greetings.

An epic philosophical journey, wrapped up as a humble game review. What an age to live.

The quality of your content is amazing to behold.

1hr!? You're spoiling us... Merry Christmas everyone.

Kojima San made his own neon genesis evangelion.

I am going to share this, this video deserves to go viral. A lot of people don't appreciate death stranding because of its complicated story and challenging themes but a breakdown like this helps people understand the deeper meaning of the game.

As a lifelong artist, a long-time CG artist, and published game artist, I find the beauty of this game's vistas matched only by the beauty of its heart and message.

I get the feeling that when Amelie saves the BB, Sam, the connection between BB and Cliff were so strong, that power spilled over on him. They share the same scar. Amelie probably and by mistake created Cliff in the process. Interlinked.

my sub proves Death Stranding continues to connect people because without the game I wouldnt have found this channel

Because of you..... I played 'Witcher '. Because of you ....I am probably going to play 'Death Stranding '. Thank you for your in depth analysis, you've inriched my understanding and knowledge of 'games 'and 'movies' that much more. Thank you for sharing with us .x

Thank you. As a lonely 30 year old, with no one to spend life with, living in isolation every day, finding for a purpose of living, you made me realise how life is just about taking it day by day. Thank you. You made me cry, made me feel things I've managed to buried for so long. Thank you. Never discount what your video essays can do for someone. It may just be the one to make someone feel better.

When I played the game myself for the first time, I went in totally blind, All I knew was that you delivered stuff. When I got to the end and was given the option, I shot her, it did nothing, I kept shooting until I had no bullets left in my gun. I was upset and confused, I was forced to watch Amile go up and end the world, then It reset, put me right back to where I was, I did it again and again. Watching each time my efforts end up being pointless, I didn't know what to do so I did what any person would. I looked it up. It really puts it into perspective when the point of the whole game is to connect and that's exactly what I did to end it. after you beat the game and get sent to your beach, you are alone. Alone to sit with nothing but your thoughts for like 3 minutes, until the song "I'll Keep coming" by Low Roar plays. It hits like a truck as you sit there, nothing left to do but listen to the song, put on a beach. It was truly one of the most powerful experiences I've ever had in a game before, and every time i hear the song I'm brought back to that beach. I still think about it a year later.

Seeing how this game wasn't overwhelming praised like his Metal Gear titles but has a large community that sees it as this masterpiece of a game that pushes this interactive media of what a game can be. This proves he's officially now one of the video game equivalent of the most influential movies director's of all time like Martin Scorsese, Stanley Kubrick or Alfred Hitchcock.

It seems to be a recurring theme in Japanese culture, focusing on the journey rather than the destination. I can think of a number of examples, like the books of Haruki Murakami or the films by Makato Shinkai. They somehow make waiting and getting from point A to B as important and as engaging as the end goal. Because that's what real life is, it's hour long train rides, it's waiting in queues, it's waiting for tomorrow. We so often get caught up in where we want to be we forget where we are and to enjoy the moment.

i just finished DS director's cut, 165 hours of gameplayed, i cried and the shocking true behind everything is amazing. this is not a typical game, this a master piece. Kojima has a wonderful mind, bravo.

You did it again. You've put something together I experienced but was unable to articulate. This video must have required a lot of work. Thank you for this. Please never stop untangling the beauty of hidden meanings and bringing enjoyment in realizing the intend and depth of stories. This game is close to my heart and learning a great deal from this video makes it even more special. Take care and happy holidays.

Wishing you and your family a Healthy Merry Christmas and a Joyous Wonderful New Year.

Tom, you are a goddamn artist

Finished the game last night and was moved to tears by it. Especially since i have coped with the knowledge of one day dying almost my entire life. The existential nihilism that almost consumes me at times leaving me wondering: why? What is the purpose if one day it will al end. And although i felt like the game took on this theme, mostly because the familiar feeling came over me, this video really helped me bring it all together. The parts i may have missed. The parts i may have forgotten. And it hit me like a hammer. People have advised me to seek counseling for my struggles with the knowledge of death. But the combination of this brilliant game and this amazing video may have been just as effective. I will cherish this experience for the rest of my life. It is profound, deep and moving. And this wonderful video helped bring it al together. So from the bottom of my heart: thank you for making this. Like!

Happy holidays everyone!! What was your favorite game of 2019? Besides Death Stranding, I haven't had a chance to do much gaming so suggestions are welcome! :) Also, timestamps are in the description, minor spoilers beginning in episode 5, major spoilers from episode 6 onward

I never expected this video to hit me so hard, especially after I was convinced to think that Death Stranding was a glorified walking simulator like so many before me. Initially, I resisted to watch this after it came out, even though I enjoy all of your content. But after awhile I thought to myself..if you endeavored to make an hour long video dedicated to this game, then there must be something in this game that I've missed. And I have to confess...your entire presentation almost brought me to tears, because it touched my deepest fears regarding existence. Believing it to be meaningless, as I've become one of those cynical nihilists. What really shocked me about the kind of person I've become is that given the choice between shooting Amelie or becoming like the character Higgs, my instinctive decision wouldn't have been to run to embrace her...but rather shoot her. I was sure that would be the real ending...and I was proven wrong and it opened my eyes. There was a time being younger when it would've dawned on me that I could find a better option, but somehow I've lost that ability as I grew older. Thank you for this video @Like Stories of Old, you've not only changed my mind about this game...but rather have forced me to reevaluate myself. My only regret is that I've spoiled the entire game for myself, but that's alright! I'm sure I'll enjoy it regardless. As you said, connections keep us alive and make it worth to keep going on. Merry Christmas and wish you the best :)

Your videos always bring me to tears. I dont think I understand the whole reasons or notions on philosophy. Id like to but I accept that I'm just not the greatest scholar. But for a little bit. videos like this can for moment make me feel connected, and remove me from the harsh reality of the world. And I think that that is powerful thing. Thank you.

Our Christmas present came early in the form of this video

After playing through MGSV and this, as well as going back through the MGS history critically, it's clear that Hideo Kojima is, to say the least, an indulgent creator and storyteller. He doesn't hold back when it comes to melodrama, overwrought symbolism, and excessive detail. He doesn't seem to edit himself much. And yet... And yet, I'm reminded of an old article in the New Yorker Magazine (back when such things were still printed on paper) about a new edition of Moby Dick, that had masterfully pared down the sprawling, rambling volume into a spare, taught thriller. stripping out hundreds of pages of extraneous information about whaling, and apparently one entire chapter detailing all the myriad uses of whale penises. The result was deemed excellent, precise, and straight to the point. However, after singing the edition's praises, the article ultimately concluded that something crucial was lost. By trimming out all the extraneous detail, the book was rendered perfect. But it was no longer the work of rambling genius it had been. One could no longer get lost in its pages, be transported into its world, nor contemplate at length how all the seemingly incidental details of Ishmael's adventure dovetailed into its staggering climax. If I have a criticism of this wonderful video, and I'm not even saying this is a criticism, it's that it succumbs slightly to the temptation of nitpicking the game's narrative excesses, rather than accepting them as part of the whole, the price of admission if you will, to an extraordinary, unparalleled experience. I'm not saying the game is above criticism, but an exploration like this doesn't feel like the right place to complain about plot twists or shallow side-quest stories. It hampers the overall effect you're creating with this excellent analysis. A piece like this seems like a better place to simply accept the experience, warts and all, as a singular artifact. After all, one doesn't look back on 2001: a Space Odyssey and complain about the unrealistic primate costumes.

I've heard a few suggest Sam is like Charon, ferrying souls of the dead to the beyond, but that doesn't really fit on a second look after watching this. Sam is Hermes, heaven's messenger. We know that Hell in Death Stranding is like what we saw on Cliff's battlefield beaches, which are even named Hades. And in that perspective, Cliff is much like Charon. If you pay close attention, Amelie could not find Sam's ka after he was shot with Cliff--the game shows us Cliff appears in the Seam, covered in tar (regret) and sinks to the bottom (Hell), and little blue Sam floats to the shore of his own beach (technically a strand field with Cliff). Once Amelie finds Sam, she looks to the Seam to see Cliff standing there, not covered in tar but wearing his jacket he wore during his death, having risen from the depths of the water and now walking upon it (accepting his death and losing his regret, Master of Two Worlds). And we never see him get them, but something beyond (if Amelie is Christ, then this figure would be the Antichrist) gives Cliff this kind of anti-repatriation power to defy moving on from the beach with his intent to complete his mission, which was to deliver Sam's soul back to Amelie to be repatriated. This act retrocasually saves his own soul and allows the scene at the end of his life with BB Sam and Adult Sam to take place, which is another great commentary on damnation. Hell isn't just there to torture you, in this sense, it's that particularly classic way of working through one's baggage in a more conflict-oriented environment.

It's the journey, not the destination, that matters. This moment and what we do with it, love, even self-sacrifice for another - that's all there is to this life which gives it meaning. This is the type of video content that makes being a member of Patreon for your channel an honor. Thank you. :)

Sam’s aphenphosmphobia, the fear of being touched kept him from connecting with others, even by a simple handshake, he kept to himself & stayed alone, yet he continued to connect others even though he didn’t want to be connected to anything himself & through his traversal meeting the people he did he changed & finally let people in. After loosing Amelie & the death of Lou/Louise ( his BB ) he was almost back to where he started. At the end he could touch & be touched by others, but he didn’t want loose anyone else so he left to be alone again. When Lou came back to life he wasn’t alone & the reconnection was beautiful to behold. Finally a review that expresses what I’ve wanted to hear someone else say, someone who can tell others what I felt during the experience. Too many people just don’t get it & I feel bad for them. I’ve watched videos to see if people cried at the end like I did & it chokes me up every time. Sadly I’ve found a lot of apathetic people out there that can’t put themselves in other people’s shoes, but this video is the shoe that fits. Thank you & keep on keeping on.

"They life is a riddle, to bear rapture and sorrow To listen, to suffer, to entrust unto tomorrow In one fleeting moment, from the land doth life flow Yet in one fleeting moment, for a new it doth grow In the same fleeting moment thou must live, die and know." -- Answers (final fantasy XIV)

an hour long review of my game of the decade from my favorite critic??? god bless us every one

"You've given us a gift more precious than you know"

In the last few years I’ve been noticing patterns, phenomena, moments, etc that have impacted or resonated with my soul. Things that make me feel like there’s a reason for my being and to discover it. Movies like Cloud Atlas, The Matrix trilogy, Lucy, Ghost in the Shell (1995) or insert any Pixar film here; TV shows like the original Ghost in the Shell anime or Sense8; Games like the original Bioshock, Death Stranding, and Horizon Zero Dawn; Books, texts, lore, or times that depict or question what it means to exist. All these things have made me understand things that I cannot describe for any human being. I’m on a lonely path or road for answers. These things impacted me or resonated with me so much, I’ve seen patterns that cannot be coincidental. None of these things could be ignored. I know not why I’m sharing this but here it is. I like your videos because you seem to be on a journey yourself and you see meaning where many do not.

I couldn’t think of any other RU-vid channel to delve into this game other than Like Stories of Old. This was truly a wonderful video done so well. I’m very happy to see you’ve gotten so much information out of it to put into a video. Hideo Kojima truly gave players a game to connect us and to understand the importance of it. Keep on keeping on!

1 hour? Strap yourselves in folks. ❤️

I am crying. You literally capture it perfectly; the essence brought by the game Death Stranding, it connection with our modern word, and it transcendence with the concept of Humanity, Mortality, and Life. AGHHH AND I REALLY LOVE HOW YOU ENDED THE VID, THE WORDSSSSS. "Put tomorrow into your hands." Chills. Literal chills. I couldn't ask for a better closing statement. You, sir, are indeed a genius at putting meaningful things into understandable words. Thank you so much for your amazing gorgeous works, and please keep continue doing what you love. (respect emoji)

Love seeing new perspectives on this game. There’s a lot to unpack, with a lot of messages and themes hidden underneath seemingly obvious metaphors and symbolism.

This is my favorite game of all time, and you've eloquently explained so many of the reasons why.

So happy I waited for this. This is poetic. The ending was a tear jerker

Watching this had me intrigued, sad, hopeful, hopeless, depressed and recharged... Now, I don't know how to feel. Maybe that's okay.

The world reveals itself when you travel on foot

I was never going to get this game. I thought it was too polarizing and too drab for me. Too convoluted even. Well. I am getting it now, and will take my time.

You keep making me cry and i keep coming back. You, sir, are awesome and a genius. Your comprehension of story telling is a miracle to behold. I did put in my 70+ hours into Death Stranding and played to the very end. I loved it so much. But you have given new and enhanced meaning to every one of those hours. Thank you!

My man I got to say since I discovered your channel I get so excited for every video you upload. Keep up the good work. I’m really looking forward to this one on death stranding. Saludos desde Guatemala!

Found the channel from alanah pearce's play, watch, listen, and watched your TLOU2 video. I played this game recently for the sake of getting max connections and after watching this, the game truly resonated to me, especially during this pandemic. In these times that your connection to other people is limited and social media is convoluted with posts from people who just wanted likes and recognition, you just want to take a step back and reflect on yourself, how your actions have impact on others and realizing that we are, in any ways, connected to each other. How you analyze your subject is out of this world. You just earned a sub, and you deserve more

What a great way to end the year. While I don't have time to play Death Stranding, it nonetheless fascinated me deeply. Thank you for framing your thoughts on this piece of art. Once again, you've made a video that resonated with me in profound ways. I look forward to another year of excellent and amazing work from you. Here's to 2020 and LSOO.

This genuinely made me cry. RU-vid doesn't deserve this qualiy and I feel like this should be paid for. Keep on keeping on!

I'm glad that we get to see a new video before the end of the year! I find your work quite inspiring and refreshing. And as for your question, personally, Outer Wilds is my favourite 2019 game by far.

Wow. This video is a magnificent work of art itself.

I have been waiting for ages to finally play this game in PC and see this video. Now that I finally beat the entire gameplay, the time has come to devour this exquisite philosophical meditation from the one and only Like Stories of Old.

Amazing video. Beautiful ending. Just beautiful. "All we have is today". This is what I needed right now. A youtube video has never made me cry. This is a first. You even incorporated the ad in an insightful way. Wow. Bravo. Seriously, bravo

This is impeccable. Thank you for devoting so much time and effort to making this wonderful video. Fantastic work.

I swear the one hour of this video just flew by like a minute! You, sir, are a sage. Thank you for the effort you put into making this & other videos. It's like elixir for my soul 🙏

I think that with the idea that this game is generally perceived as a “walking simulator”, it gives you less expectations for what’s about to come in the game’s story. Death Stranding executed their plot twists really well.

massively underrated account. I can tell you truly research and care about your video essays. Props to you brother

Man, I'm always bawling at the end of your videos. You're incredible. I'm so happy I stumbled across you the other day.

YES! Im ready thank you so much! Love you! Merry Xmas ! 1 hour Video of LSOO is like the best Present ever. Your videos always have a lasting effect on me thank you!

The explanation in this film about the game made me emotional. About the sanctifying of online interactions. Not sure what it was about that, but I could totally connect to it.

Thank you for putting these thoughts into words. I finished the game just 2 hours ago. It made me feel everything you described so perfectly in this video. What ever obstical you might encounter during your journey..... Keep on, keeping up!

How on earth is this channel not in the millions of subscribers? I love every single video and it makes me even want to study again.

I watched an entire gameplay of this game, and was so hype to watch this, and man, you summed up everything I couldn't explain. Amazing video

Yours is one of the best channels spreading awareness and love I've ever come across LSOO. Keep going. You're making one of the greatest of impacts.

Thank you for your work and effort. Your videos are constantly touching, insightful, inspiring, and hopeful, sorely needed elements in my life and I daresay so many others. In discussing topics of existentialism, connection, vulnerability, and courage in the face of uncertainty, you also bridge the gap between us, all of us, and remind us of the shared struggles and fears that make living so challenging and difficult. In this way, you are also a hero, you are saving us all. Thank you.

Knew it was coming. LSO loves the nebulous ones.

Gracias por esto!! Felices fiestas!

This is such an underrated video. All of your content is actually. This one in particular though, this video essay deserves so much more than 200k views (although even that is pretty impressive. Congrats).

Every year since you posted this, I return here to rewatch it, and it is ever more prescient the more time passes. I cannot thank you enough, from hearth.

This was absolutely incredible. Thank you for your videos. I don’t know how they make me feel the way I do but your voice, your care, your effort in your content leaves me speechless. Truely incredible art

Oh Man!! LSOO Thank you for this! Happy Holidays Friend!

Making the link with the Camus essay really did it for me, what an absolutely genius review and a great interpretation of the book, love your content man

You, my friend, are sublime. Keep up the good work 🙏 happy 2021!

No doubt one of the best video essays channel, thanks and hoping for more next year!

I was able to put a decent amount of this together on my own, but I appreciate your help in rearranging a confusing jumble of ideas into a more coherent story, and giving me a good opportunity to reflect upon it all.

This is brilliant! Thank you for the effort you've put into this.

This is and has been my favorite youtube channel for a long time. This video is just another gold medal in a trophy cabinet overflowing with gold.

Absolutely amazing video! Both on explaining the game hidden meaning and plot twist and on narration! Keep on keeping on

Best analysis on RU-vid for Death Stranding. Really good work, thank you

Thanks for all the continued effort you put into your videos. I hope you know you've become a helping hand of sorts to me as I continue to navigate this journey. Thank you for this bridge.

This was a real treat. Thank you for doing what you do looking forward for what's to come next year

This was so beautifully put.

Once again you help put into words and feelings we are not always able to fully express. The enlightenment and clarity of your content is truly priceless.

Was so thrilled to see you cover this game! Hope to see you use more games in the future and always such a huge fan of your videos!

This was a beautiful review. Thank you for this. Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas homie and happy holidays. Thank you for putting out another meaningful and interesting video. I’ve seen the trailers and gameplay about this game and wasn’t really sure what it was about. But after watching this it becomes clear that the game is way more deeply thoughtful and meaningful than any other game I’ve heard about or played. It definitely got me to see this game in a new perspective. And the background music is always soothing and good in everyone of your videos :) stay livin my dude

after watching this, i sit here left speechless. this is a truly amazing review, that is deeply thought provoking. very well done

You're the reason I love RU-vid and see life in a completely different perspective. Keep up the great work man!!! Merry Christmas and have a Happy New Year!! See you on the other side :-)

you captured the essence, really really good. enjoyed it a lot, well done

This is the best review for anything I’ve ever seen reviewed. Very well done.

Thank you for this, friend. Thank you so much. Beautifully done.

Really like the video! So well made, such an awesome commentary!

Beautiful and brilliant. Thank you for your hard work on these videos, and for making this a nice long one :)

This is definitely your best work yet. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and analysis about such a thought provoking experience and piece of art.

I and I'm sure others as well would like to know your method. How do you approach a subject as complicated as this and how do you dissect each element and explore it's depth while making sure the overall essay is coherent. And most importantly, I would like to know how you manage to find a deeper meaning of sorts in a story that at face value seems self-explanatory (except a few exceptions)

Through this video you helped thousands of others, including myself, by clarifying the themes in the game. And in doing so you've strengthen your connection with us! I thank you for that. You give me some solace. Looking forward to the next video.

Bravo good sir!!!! Way to end the year!!! Thank you so much for your great work!!! Can't wait till next year!!!!

Thanks so much for this. I didn't fully comprehend all the details Kojima included into DS, until now. You deserves a million subs

liked and subbed. this is the best explanation of the themes I've seen on yt.

Thank you for the immense effort you put into making this video. I appreciate it.

That was an incredible analysis. Thank you

You are building bridges too by making such beautiful videos. Thank you.

Happy holidays and new year dude, great video!