Death Stranding Gets a Surprise Xbox Series X|S Port, Out Now
In a shocking turn of events, Hideo Kojima’s acclaimed and divisive title, Death Stranding, has made its way to Xbox Series X|S consoles. The game is available to buy now, digitally and physically, through all major retailers. This comes as a complete surprise to many, considering Death Stranding was originally a PlayStation exclusive.
The Xbox Series X|S version of Death Stranding features a number of improvements over its PS4 counterpart, including:
- Enhanced visuals with native 4K resolution and ray tracing
- Faster load times
- Improved framerate, aiming for a smoother 60fps
- Full controller support
- Xbox Game Pass integration
While the game’s release came out of the blue, Kojima Productions has remained tight-lipped about its development, only mentioning it during a recent interview. “We saw an opportunity to bring Death Stranding to a wider audience,” Kojima revealed. “The Xbox platform provides an excellent opportunity to do just that, reaching players who may not have had the chance to experience our unique vision before.”
This move represents a significant shift for both Kojima Productions and Microsoft, breaking down long-held platform exclusivity practices. It begs the question, will we see other Sony exclusives make their way to Xbox? While Microsoft has made strides in expanding its first-party lineup, a Death Stranding-like scenario where Sony’s prized IPs cross over might prove to be a game changer.
One reason behind the surprising release could be Microsoft’s drive to secure third-party games for its platform. Acquiring an exclusive title like Death Stranding, even after its initial release on Playstation, reinforces Microsoft’s commitment to building a library diverse enough to entice both new and seasoned gamers.
From a gameplay perspective, Death Stranding presents a unique experience for both seasoned players and newcomers. The core concept revolves around traversing a post-apocalyptic world, delivering essential packages across vast landscapes while encountering strange phenomena and navigating its unconventional social system. Its emphasis on connection and the consequences of your actions makes for a truly compelling and contemplative experience. The new version brings a smoother gameplay experience, further accentuating its already mesmerizing aesthetics and intricate storytelling.
Death Stranding’s arrival on Xbox Series X|S signifies a potential change in the gaming landscape, pushing the boundaries of exclusivity. It opens a conversation around accessibility, offering new opportunities for both players and developers. With the current console war intensifying, seeing a game like Death Stranding, once a PlayStation exclusive, come to Xbox is certainly an intriguing move, one that might signal a future where platform boundaries become less defined.
It remains to be seen how this cross-platform release will be received, but there’s no denying it will shake up the established order of things in the gaming world. Whether this signifies a wider shift towards cross-platform releases, time will tell, but one thing is certain, players stand to benefit from this sudden surge of gaming options.
