The DualSense controller is turning out to be PlayStation 5’s standout feature. While Sony’s first-party games and third-party console exclusives are currently harnessing the most out of DualSense’s next-gen capabilities, multi-platform games are not far too behind. Initially a PS4 exclusive, the upcomingDeath Stranding: Director’s Cutfor PS5 seems next in line totake advantage of Sony’s DualSense controller.
While there are plenty of released and upcoming games suited for the DualSense controller, one that stands out and makes sense isDeath Stranding. The unique traversal and combat maneuvers inDeath Strandingwould benefit from the support of the DualSense’s distinctive features.
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How The DualSense Controller Should Enhance Death Stranding
The bleak and uneven terrains ofDeath Stranding’s post-apocalyptic USA is a prominent character of its own, the story of which is explored through countless treks undertaken bySam Bridgesand the melancholic solitude that surrounds him. Unlike most action games, the action inDeath Strandingprimarily boils down to balancing cargo on Sam’s shoulders as he climbs and crosses numerous daunting snow-capped mountains. The DualShock 4 controller does a fine job of incorporating Sam’s in-game struggles of carrying bulky cargo on his back through various conditions, though it isn’t enough comparatively.
The DualSense controller provides an incredible opportunity to make every delivery inDeath Strandingas excruciating of an experience as Sam and the others around him often suggest it to be. For starters, the L2 and R2 triggers should feel heavy depending on the amount of cargo Sam carries on his respective shoulders. In games likeDeathloopandResident Evil Village, the weight behind the triggers depends on the gun players use. InDeath Stranding, this should depend on the weight of the cargo Sam carries to make balancing more challenging.
Fortunately,Death Strandingprovides plenty of ways to interact with Sam. This opens up numerous opportunities to utilize additionalDualSense features. For instance, players can massage Sam’s shoulders at any point in the game. Other than being a visual treat, this doesn’t have any gameplay implications. However, with DualSense’s adaptive triggers, this could become a proper gameplay attribute.
The more players massage Sam’s shoulders, the lighter the triggers feel. Alternatively, if players do not massage Sam’s shoulders after an exhaustive trek, the triggers should get jammed. Furthermore, triggers should also get jammed when Sam fails to revitalize himself with the energy drinks and runs out of stamina.
Horizon Forbidden Westwill let players feel the grass via DualSense’s haptics.Death Stranding: Director’s Cutshould implement similar haptic feedback, as there will be plenty of times when Sam traverses tall grass, narrow rivers, and mountains of snow. Additionally, the DualSense’s haptic feedback should allow players to feel Sam’s movements on either side of the controller, similar to how it feels in Arkane’sDeathloop.
Traversal Would Be Enhanced By The DualSense in Death Stranding
Death Strandingprovides several tools to make traversing long stretches of land, mountains, and rivers shorter and more convenient. These include floating carriers, zip lines, ropes, ladders, bikes, and trucks.Death Stranding: Director’s Cutwill add something called stabilizers that comes packed with thrusters that allow players to hover from a mountain top safely to the ground. The haptics in every traversal equipment should feel a little unique, resulting in a slightly, if not a drastically different experience. Traversing is the root ofDeath Stranding’s gameplay, and DualSense’s haptic feedback can significantly enhance that experience.
Combat also plays a small part inDeath Stranding, with a handful of interesting set pieces and random encounters that Sam faces. There are plenty of weapons inDeath Stranding, andDeath Stranding: Director’s Cutwill add a few more, including the fancy Mazer Gun that electrocutes enemies. Unfortunately, shooting inDeath Strandingdoesn’t feel as satisfying as it was inMetal Gear Solid 5. While theDirector’s Cutmight not completely redesign the game’s shooting mechanics, it should appropriately implement haptic feedback to make the shooting feel a bit more coherent.
Death Stranding: Director’s Cutis a great opportunity to reinvigorate the coreDeath Strandingexperience for both newcomers and veterans. The addition of new story missions may be indicative of aDeath Strandingsequel, whereas the addition of a plethora of new gameplay tools and techniques may just be the way to address fans' initial criticisms. However, for a satisfactory gameplay experience,Death Stranding: Director’s Cutneeds to harness DualSense’s powers to its fullest.
