Hideo Kojima’s Death Stranding is basically a mailman simulator set in a beautiful, haunted version of Iceland. Honestly, the first few hours are a total slog. You’re stumbling over pebbles. You’re constantly out of breath. The game seems like it wants you to fail. But here’s the thing—it’s actually a masterpiece of mechanical growth if you just stop fighting the physics.
Most people quit before they even see a vehicle. That's a mistake. The game is designed to make you feel vulnerable and clumsy so that when you finally build a highway or zip across a valley, it feels earned. If you're struggling with the weight of the world on Sam Porter Bridges' back, you're not doing it wrong; you're just at the start of a very long climb.
Stop Obsessing Over Every Single Lost Cargo
Look, I get it. You see a shimmering box on the ground and you want to pick it up. You think, "Hey, someone needs this." In any other game, "looting" is the primary loop. In this game? Picking up every piece of lost cargo you find in the first map is the fastest way to burn out and hate your life.
The Weight Management Trap
Each piece of cargo has a weight. It has a footprint. If you stack Sam up like a Jenga tower, he’s going to tilt. You’ll spend the whole walk holding L2 and R2 just to keep from face-planting into a stream. It's tedious. Early on, focus on "Orders for Sam." These are the story missions. They unlock the gear you actually need. That random "Lost Cargo for Capital Knot City" can wait until you have a literal truck to put it in.
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The physics engine is ruthless. If your center of gravity is too high, a gust of wind or a slight slope will send you tumbling. When you do fall, your cargo takes damage. If the internal item reaches 0% durability, you fail. It’s better to deliver one pristine package than five smashed ones.
Death Stranding Beginner Tips for Navigating BT Territory
Beached Things—or BTs—are the invisible monsters that turn the game into a horror movie. They are terrifying at first. You hear the rain (Timefall), the Odradek scanner starts flapping like crazy, and you're stuck in a crouch-walk for twenty minutes.
Here is the secret: you are faster than them.
Don't panic. When the scanner turns orange and starts spinning, that means a BT is right on top of you. Hold your breath (R1). Move slowly. You can literally walk right past them as long as you aren't sprinting. And if they do catch you? The tar pit starts to rise. Don't just give up. You can shake off the tar-men by mashing the Square button. Even if you get dragged away to a "Boss" fight, you can just run out of the oily circle to end the encounter. You don't always have to stay and fight the giant squid.
Using Your Own Blood as a Weapon
Eventually, you get Hematic Grenades. They’re made of Sam’s blood because... well, Kojima. These are your best friends. One well-placed grenade will "kill" a standard BT. But keep an eye on your blood bags. If you run out of bags, the game starts drawing directly from Sam's health bar. It's a grisly trade-off.
The Importance of Infrastructure and "Likes"
The "Social Strand" system isn't just flavor text. It’s the heart of the game. You aren't playing alone, even though you never see another player character. When you build a bridge, it might show up in someone else's world. When they use it, you get Likes.
Likes aren't just for ego. They actually level up your connection with Sam, which increases your carrying capacity and stability.
- Check the Map for Blue Lines: Those are paths other players have walked. The grass literally gets packed down into a trail. Walking on these trails is easier on your stamina than forging a new path through the rocks.
- Contribute to Auto-Pavers: Once you reach the second map (Lake Knot City), you’ll find structures called Auto-Pavers. Feed them materials—chiral crystals, metals, and ceramics. This builds roads. Roads don't drain your vehicle's battery. Roads make the game 500% easier.
- Don't Forget Your Boots: Your boots wear out. Check the blue meter in your equipment menu. If it turns red, your feet start bleeding. Sam will lose stamina faster and eventually take damage. Always carry a spare pair on your boot clip.
Tools That Change the Game
There are specific items you should prioritize. The PCC (Portable Chiral Constructor) is basically a 3D printer for the wilderness. Use it to build generators. There is nothing worse than being halfway across a mountain in a power skeleton and having the battery die. It turns your high-tech exo-suit into a literal weight that makes you move slower than a turtle.
The Mules (those guys in yellow suits who want to steal your mail) are annoying. They aren't trying to kill you; they just want your cargo. If you enter their sensor zone, they'll ping your location. You can actually "counter-ping" if you time your Odradek scan right, but that's a bit advanced. For now, just know that you can hit them with your briefcase. It’s incredibly satisfying.
Efficiency Over Heroics
Sometimes the best path isn't a straight line. The map in Death Stranding is deceptive. What looks like a short walk up a cliff might take thirty minutes of struggling with a ladder. Use the map's tilt function (hold the touchpad and tilt the controller) to see the actual topography. Look for the gaps between the contour lines. If the lines are bunched together, it’s a steep cliff. If they’re spread out, it’s a gentle slope.
Also, rest. Go to the Private Room often. It refills your health, your stamina, and your blood bags. Plus, you get to watch Sam eat weirdly branded energy drinks and interact with BB. Speaking of BB—keep the baby happy. If you fall or get into a fight, BB gets stressed and starts crying. If the stress meter hits zero, BB gets "autoxemia" and stops working, meaning you can't see BTs anymore. Stop, hold L1, and rock the controller gently to soothe the kid. It feels silly, but it works.
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Actionable Steps for Your First Session
To get the most out of your start, follow this specific progression:
- Push to Episode 3: The game truly begins once you leave the first region. Don't spend more than 3-5 hours in the starting area. You get the Power Skeleton and the reverse trike shortly after reaching Lake Knot City. These transform the experience from a walking simulator into a logistics manager.
- Claim Materials: Every time you visit a terminal, "Claim Materials." If the metal or ceramic storage is full, take some out and put it in your private locker. You will need thousands of units of metal to build the roads later.
- Use the Compass (L1): If you're lost, tap L1. It shows your objective marker and, more importantly, tells you the grade of the slope in front of you. Blue is safe, yellow is slippery, red is a fall risk.
- Always Carry Two Ladders and Two Climbing Anchors: You might not need them every trip, but when you do, you'll be glad you aren't staring at a 50-foot drop with no way down.
- Connect the UCA: Make sure you get every station to at least two stars. This usually unlocks a specific piece of gear or an upgrade (like a better battery or a stronger exoskeleton).
The world is lonely, but you're never actually alone. Every ladder you find was left by someone else trying to make it. Every sign that says "Keep on keeping on" was placed by a player who survived the same climb you're doing now. Respect the terrain, pack light, and keep moving forward.