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40 reviews for:
Death Stranding - Death Stranding: The Official Novelization - Volume 2
Hitori Nojima
3.59 AVERAGE
40 reviews for:
Death Stranding - Death Stranding: The Official Novelization - Volume 2
Hitori Nojima
3.59 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Sam gripped the dreamcatcher hanging around his neck. Why had this thing never disappeared in all the years he had it since he was a kid? He was never without it. Even when he left Bridges. No matter what danger he faced. He never consciously took good care of it, but whenever it broke, it did seem to repair itself. It was like a part of his body now. As he grew up and his old cells were replaced by the new, it was the only thing that had remained constant. His oldest body part.
See my review for the first novelisation for more detailed thoughts in general. But where I tore through that book in about a day, this one took me much longer. The main problem is that it covers a portion of the game where things get very slow and monologuey: sitting through those meandering cutscenes is one thing in a game, where you at least have some lovely visuals and an actor’s performance to watch, but it’s just mindnumbing in book form. The big, bombastic action scenes which spiced up the back half of the game are also pretty much missing in this version, so you don’t even really have the action set pieces to liven things up either.
Things I do like, though: some of that ponderous philosophical rumination on the nature of ~connection~ did strike a chord with me. The bits with Cliff made me verklempt in the book, just as they made me cry in the game. Bridges’ shadiness is underscored a little further in the text, which I deeply appreciate. The NPC additions are nice as always (particularly the prepper who delivers to the evo-devo biologist, and how you see him driven insane by his DOOMS nightmares, which is an important worldbuilding detail imo).
And then, of course, this bit: Sam couldn’t defeat what he couldn’t see. He couldn’t hit what he couldn’t touch. He couldn’t kill what was already dead. And he couldn’t revive what hadn’t been born.
And the ending itself is still lovely; still so utterly earnest, still touching, but that might also be because I spent fully 100 hours with this character while playing the game itself.
tl;dr: I still don’t recommend the novellas as the way to experience this story or canon afresh, but they’re good if you loved the game and want more.
Merged review:
Sam gripped the dreamcatcher hanging around his neck. Why had this thing never disappeared in all the years he had it since he was a kid? He was never without it. Even when he left Bridges. No matter what danger he faced. He never consciously took good care of it, but whenever it broke, it did seem to repair itself. It was like a part of his body now. As he grew up and his old cells were replaced by the new, it was the only thing that had remained constant. His oldest body part.
See my review for the first novelisation for more detailed thoughts in general. But where I tore through that book in about a day, this one took me much longer. The main problem is that it covers a portion of the game where things get very slow and monologuey: sitting through those meandering cutscenes is one thing in a game, where you at least have some lovely visuals and an actor’s performance to watch, but it’s just mindnumbing in book form. The big, bombastic action scenes which spiced up the back half of the game are also pretty much missing in this version, so you don’t even really have the action set pieces to liven things up either.
Things I do like, though: some of that ponderous philosophical rumination on the nature of ~connection~ did strike a chord with me. The bits with Cliff made me verklempt in the book, just as they made me cry in the game. Bridges’ shadiness is underscored a little further in the text, which I deeply appreciate. The NPC additions are nice as always (particularly the prepper who delivers to the evo-devo biologist, and how you see him driven insane by his DOOMS nightmares, which is an important worldbuilding detail imo).
And then, of course, this bit: Sam couldn’t defeat what he couldn’t see. He couldn’t hit what he couldn’t touch. He couldn’t kill what was already dead. And he couldn’t revive what hadn’t been born.
And the ending itself is still lovely; still so utterly earnest, still touching, but that might also be because I spent fully 100 hours with this character while playing the game itself.
tl;dr: I still don’t recommend the novellas as the way to experience this story or canon afresh, but they’re good if you loved the game and want more.
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
// Review //
Format: .AZW3 (eBook)
eBook Wiki/Dictionary extensions work
This is the official novelization of the game Death Stranding. The game being released first. Though this book goes through the events in the game it unveils more about every person and interaction and the weight it placed upon Sam. It shows the stories of the citizens who witnessed the Death Stranding, as well as those born after it, and the contrasting world perspectives and ways of life it imprinted on everyone in a country so desperate and divided. A country Sam must reunite while struggling with his own past. A must read for those who want a deeper look into the game lore.
// Personal Remarks //
If you enjoy video games then I recommend playing the game first and coming back to read the books. However, it is not necessary to do so. In my opinion it adds a lot more insight into meeting each shelter, person and the overall impact of reconnecting UCA. By experiencing Sam’s solitary gameplay and then having the book expand upon those events, adds emotional and touching depth. Remember, A “strand” is part of a rope or bond, while “stranded” means being washed up on the shore, and “being stranded” is when you can’t go home.
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
As someone who loves the game, I may be a little biased in my rating and assessment. I do think the game and the book complement each other.
That being said, I highly suggest playing the game first then diving into the books. I think the books provide greater context to the game where understanding may have been missed. For me, the book helped fill in gaps where I may have misinterpreted/misunderstood certain points of the game.
I would rate this higher, but there are prerequisites to the book that I know not everyone has access to (a ps4/ps5/higher end gaming pc to play the game.) I do think the game is an experience within itself.
That being said, I highly suggest playing the game first then diving into the books. I think the books provide greater context to the game where understanding may have been missed. For me, the book helped fill in gaps where I may have misinterpreted/misunderstood certain points of the game.
I would rate this higher, but there are prerequisites to the book that I know not everyone has access to (a ps4/ps5/higher end gaming pc to play the game.) I do think the game is an experience within itself.
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Death Stranding: Volume 1 is spicing up a recipe.