WithDeath Stranding, Hideo Kojima found a way for players to make connections through a single player game. Porters who traverse the land before you leave behind tools and equipment that assist you with your own journey to make precious deliveries.
This kind of system did sort of exist before Death Stranding, in the way ofDark Souls' messaging system, but Kojima’s game took it to the next level by incorporating gameplay tools, thus coining the term ‘Strand Game’. Launching in a few days – but already out for those who sprung for early access – you may expectDeath Stranding 2to build on this concept. However, there’s already a game that’s taking Strand gaming to the next level,Dune: Awakening.
Building Connections Across Arrakis
Dune: Awakening is an MMO set in an alternate timeline of Frank Herbert’s classic series. It has all the iconic aspects of the books and movies – sandworms, ornithopters, stillsuits, and the lot. However, it has one thing that the Dune universe is completely lacking – cooperation. When you travel across the sands of Arrakis, you’ll come across a number of structures created by players to help others.
For instance, you’ll find player-made stations that give out free water or gas to whoever comes by. I bet no one on the real Arrakis would do that. Some pioneering players have also created ramps that will help you climb up cliffs that would otherwise force you to go around. Elsewhere, you’ll perhaps come across a conveniently placed storm shelter built by someone who doesn’t want sand to get into your eyes.
While Dune: Awakening is a survival-based MMO, some players have decided that the best way to survive is to do it together. Of course, there will always be griefers who block passages and slam you with ornithopters, but a large part of the community plays the game in a way that helps everyone.
If Death Stranding 2 is anything like the first game, players are rewarded when others upvote their conveniently placed creations. However, Dune: Awakening offers no such reward, but yet the community has created numerous structures that have helped others, even when they had no reason to do so.
So, when you come across a small ladder that cuts a few seconds of climbing time in Death Stranding 2, remember that someone made a ten-level ramp to climb up a cliff in Dune: Awakening.
