Death Stranding is an action game created by Kojima Productions. It was first released in 2019 with the Death Stranding Director’s Cut released in September 2021. On this page, you’ll learn the basic features of the game including an overview of mechanics such as delivering cargo, managing the weight of deliveries, the importance of building structures, and more.

For helpful tips and guides, check out our additional sections by clicking the links below.

• Start with our Essential Death Stranding Tips and Tricks
• See our How-To Guides for answers to common questions
• Head over to the Walkthrough (Orders for Sam) hub for a breakdown of all required story missions

Death Stranding’s Synopsis

In Death Stranding, you take on the role of Sam Bridges - a porter for the BRIDGES company. Sam is tasked with the job of delivering cargo to various KNOTs terminals in order to reconnect America after the “Death Stranding” event took place. This cataclysmic event caused a blurring between the lands of the dead and the living, resulting in the emergence of BTs (or Beached Things). These entities make the landscape dangerous and can trigger 'voidouts' leaving it up to trusty porter Sam to deliver essential supplies and get these KNOT terminals back onto The Chiral Network.

Delivery Basics in Death Stranding

Throughout the game, you’ll be given Orders for Sam (which are key story missions) and Standard Orders (which are additional but useful delivery missions) at the KNOTs city terminals. Each one requires you to deliver or recover cargo - in the best condition possible.

With each delivery, you need to think carefully about how much cargo you take out with you or are able to pick up. The more you carry, the more difficult movement is for Sam and he will tire. You’ll also have to keep shifting the weight from left to right to make sure Sam stays upright. This is why it’s important to plan your route.

If you want some more detail on the delivery missions, check out these pages that will take you through each step of the way:

• Walkthrough (Orders for Sam)
• List of Standard Orders
• List of Facilities and Prepper Locations

Plan Your Route Before You Depart

Early on in the game, you’ll be given the advice to plan your route before setting off. There’s rough terrain and bodies of water all across the map, so you’ll need to consider what’s the best route. The shortest route is not always the safest and could lead to you being caught out by Timefall or damaging your cargo. You can plot a course on your before you head off and tilt the camera to play around with the map and see what difficulties you might encounter.

Organising Cargo

When you take on an order, you will be able to carry a number of items with you. There is a weight limit, and you will want to stay under this limit. Not only this, but you should also distribute your weight. You can do this when you prepare for a mission, by pressing a button to have the weight automatically distributed evenly. You can also decide for yourself where to place cargo such as on Sam's back or his tool rack.

Important Things to Know in Death Stranding

Death Stranding can seem like a complex game when you begin, with lots of things to remember. Here are a few key elements that you'll come across, to help you understand how to approach the game and what you'll be up against.

BB

BB is an essential tool that is connected to Sam. BB will tell you when there are BTs nearby. BB will make use of the Odradek Scanner (this is the scanner you can use to locate packages and to check the terrain for risks) to show you in which direction the BTs are.

BB can get stressed out during deliveries, so make sure you see our guide on How to Soothe and Interact with BB.

BTs

Early on in the story, we're told that Sam has DOOMS. This is a condition that allows him to sense the presence of BTs nearby. With the help of BB and the Odradek Scanner, the silhouette of BTs will show up. You'll need to move past them slowly and quietly (by holding your breath) if you enter their territory.

If you feel like taking them on, you can definitely do that too. Further on into the story, you'll be given the equipment to fight BTs. If you want to know more, head over to the How to Kill or Avoid BTs page.

Timefall

Timefall is rain that will damage your cargo if you're not careful. If you encounter timefall (or snow), you need to find shelter to protect your deliveries. Later on in the game, you'll be able to build structures such as Timefall Shelters that will prove helpful.

You can find out more about how to do this on the page below:

• How to Stop Timefall Rain and Snow - How to Unlock Timefall Shelters, How do Timefall Shelters Work

The Chiral Network

As Sam sets out to reconnect America, he is also instructed to get each KNOT terminal back on The Chiral Network. This is a communication tool that each KNOT city uses and every time Sam makes a delivery, he can use his Q-pid necklace to bring the KNOTs terminals back onto the network.

Building Structures

As soon as you unlock the PCC equipment, you'll be able to create structures. These can be seen on the map by other players and can be upgraded by donating materials. Structures range from bridges to Timefall Shelters and even a Cargo Catapult with the new additions to the game introduced in the Director's Cut.

You can find more detail about this feature on the How to Build Structures with the PCC page.

Fabricating Equipment

Not only is it important to get your cargo weight balanced, but it's also crucial to make sure you're properly equipped for each delivery. You'll be crossing all sorts of rough terrain, and some hard to reach places on your routes. Ladders and climbing anchors always come in handy. At the start of the game, it's useful to have these with you in case you find yourself taking a tricky route.