After months of rumors, Kojima finally revealed theDeath Stranding Director’s Cuttrailerat this year’s Summer Game Fest. While the details about this PS5-enhanced version of the game remain scarce, there are plenty of things thisDeath StrandingPS5 version could offer to make it a worthwhile experience for returning fans.
However, whether thisDeath StrandingDirector’s Cutwill be a free upgrade for existing users, or a separate release entirely, is a different mystery. While most third-party developers are offering free next-gen upgrades to games for existing players, Sony seems adamant in charging for native PS5 updates for its first and second-party games. Granted, these upgrades come alongside new features as well. The recently announcedGhost of Tsushima Director’s Cutis a reasonable way to do it with plenty of new offerings, andDeath Stranding’s Director Cutshould follow suit.
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Death Stranding Director’s Cut Needs to Go Big
Death Stranding’s Director’s Cutcould learn a lot fromGhost of Tsushima’s Director’s Cut. The latter comes along with a brand new story DLC that takes players to the Iki Island. While Sucker Punch didn’t reveal how much new content is in the Iki Island expansion, it could be similar in length to theInfamous First LightDLC.
The Director’s Cut on PS5 offers plenty of other features that include 4K resolution, 60 FPS, DualSense haptic feedback and adaptive trigger support, full Japanese lip-sync for Japanese voiceover of the main game and the Iki expansion, 3D audio support, and improved load times.Ghost of Tsushima’s PS5 upgrade for existing owners seems to offer plenty to justify its $30 price tag.DeathStranding’s Director’s Cut needs to offer a similar amount of content asGhost of Tsushima’sDirector’s Cut, if not more.
Death Strandingwas released eight months beforeGhost of Tsushimaon the PS4, which means that the developers have potentially had more time to work on a meaty story expansion, if one is potentially coming inDirector’s Cut. Moreover, unlikeGhost of Tsushima,Death Strandingon PS5hasn’t received a free performance update that boosts the game’s FPS. In fact,Death Strandingon PS5 hasn’t received any significant updates that could distinguish the PS5 version from its PS4 Pro variant. As such, there’s a lot more potentially in store forDeath Stranding Director’s Cut.
How Death Stranding Can Improve with Director’s Cut
Death Strandingis already a gorgeous game on the PS4, but it can be even more gorgeous thanks to the power of PS5. Native 4K resolution, alongside a 60 FPS mode, could do wonders for the bleak Icelandic open world ofDeath Stranding. Moreover,Death Strandingcould especially benefit from haptic feedback and adaptive trigger support. In a game where traversal is the most important aspect of gameplay,DualSense support forDeath Strandingcould intensify the core gameplay loop. All of this with reduced loading times between booting up the game and fast traveling could really makeDeath Stranding Director’s Cuta true next-gen experience.
While a story expansion was teased in the announcement trailer ofDeath Stranding Director’s Cut, this upcoming remaster should go beyond just adding a new DLC and quality of life upgrades.Death Strandingbrought plenty of unique gameplay features to the table that made the core gameplay loop far more enjoyable than many would have initially expected.
However, there wasn’t much variety in weapons and traversal tools it offered, especially when compared toMetal Gear Solid 5. It goes without saying that Kojima’s focus was on the game’s narrative, and the gameplay was often maligned by critics, which is a shame becauseDeath Strandingis inexplicably satisfying and fun to play. Staying true to its name, The “Director’s Cut” could add some more crazy innovative tools that didn’t make it in the main game. It could make replaying its 50-60 hours long campaign all the more fun.
WhileDeath Stranding 2is in an awkward position right now, given all the rumors about Kojima partnering with Xbox,Death Stranding Director’s Cutshould offer enough content to keep fans busy until Kojima’s next big game arrives on PlayStation consoles. It’s also an opportunity for it to make up for its underwhelming initial sales, and the best way to do that is to offer a substantial upgrade with necessary tweaks and improvements from the main game, alongside additional content, that could justify its price tag.
Death Stranding: Director’s Cutis in development for PS5.
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