Hideo Kojima has a penchant for utilizing a system's hardware during gameplay, so Death Stranding Director's Cut having the full array of DualSense capabilities on PS5 was an exciting prospect leading up to the game's launch. The renowned game developer's most famous trick is the Mantis boss fight from Metal Gear Solid, which had dialog referencing the save files stored in the memory card, and had the player switch to the second controller port mid-fight. Though Death Stranding has its share of minor fourth wall breaks, the new PlayStation 5 version of the game utilizes the DualSense to great immersive effect.
When Death Stranding was initially released on the PS4 in 2019, it used the DualShock 4 to the best of its ability. It would rumble when Sam took a tumble, and the gyroscope was used to soothe an upset BB by gently shaking the controller. These features return in the Director's Cut, but the tactile sensations have been greatly increased, with nearly every action giving unique sensory feedback. The game was initially designed for the PlayStation 4, but its re-release is perhaps the best indicator of what's possible with the PlayStation 5's DualSense controller.
Astro's Playroom impressed new PS5 owners with its glorified tech demo gameplay. Its different levels gave players a feel for what developers might accomplish with the haptic feedback and adaptive triggers in the DualSense. Other PS5 games like Ratchet & Clank feel made for the DualSense, and Returnal delighted with the controller's haptics mimicking raindrops. Death Stranding Director's Cut's use of the new technology, however, is so thorough and varied that the new sensations alone help elevate it as the definitive version of the game.
The haptic feedback will probably be the first noticeable use of the DualSense when players start Death Stranding Director's Cut. As soon as Sam starts going uphill, or trudges through rough terrain, each footstep can be felt in the controller. When Sam's right foot lands, the right side of the controller vibrates, and vice versa for the left. From there, the use of the haptics only gets more detailed. For instance, when Sam uses the Q-pid to connect a new location to the Chiral Network, the haptics pulse in a pattern that mimics the cutscene. Even though the cutscenes are roughly the same, the vibrations are more intense if the Q-pid is being used to connect the new knot to the UCA as well.
The adaptive triggers help players feel the weight of their cargo. They won't offer much resistance when carrying only a few containers, but once Sam has arranged a large stack of cargo on his back, the triggers start giving significant force when players try to balance their load. Gripping both backpacks for balance when scrambling down a slope, or fording a creek of rushing water, will send the triggers pulsing - with stronger sensations the closer Sam is to his weight limit. Even using a can of Container Repair Spray utilizes the adaptive triggers to mimic the feeling of using an aerosol can. The game puts players on an arduous trek across the country, and the Death Stranding Director's Cut makes it all the more immersive with the added features made possible with the PlayStation 5's DualSense controller.
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