Oct 26, 2017
20,440
This study/paper actually found that part of the decline in sexual interest in the youth in Japan could be attributed to a rise in asexuality.

Have Japanese People Become Asexual? Love in Japan

"Data were collected through an internet survey; this article uses a subsample of 9,940 respondents. The dependent variables were the number of lovers respondents had during and after junior high school; the independent variable was the respondents' age. Regression analyses found a clear trend toward asexual behavior among young men (in their twenties and thirties). However, young women are not as asexual as the previous generation. This asexualization of men may have contributed to Japan's sharply declining marriage and birth rates. If so, other Asian societies may learn lessons from Japan's experiences in the future."

This kind of thing appears to be what Kojima is drawing parralels to in Death Stranding's fictional (key word fictional) world or back-story.

This honestly just seems like the author picking a really weird definition of asexuality.
 
Mar 29, 2018
7,078
I dont want to say that I dislike the game, necessarily. But for a kojima game, I find this highly disappointing. Its nowhere near as mechanically deep and interesting as metal gear solid.

I still replay MGS games to this day. I can already tell this wont be a game that gets replayed often. And maybe never at all.
I disagree. I'm 10 hours in here and having AHA moments with the basic, basic mechanics. If it keeps layering on into the late game this will be as deep as something like MGS2 for sure.
 

Team_Feisar

Member
Jan 16, 2018
5,359
Are those small robots singing to themselves? 10/10

Also if MGS was made today, I guess we would be playing as John Sneak Stealthman
 
Mar 29, 2018
7,078
This study/paper actually found that part of the decline in sexual interest in the youth in Japan could be attributed to a rise in asexuality.

Have Japanese People Become Asexual? Love in Japan

"Data were collected through an internet survey; this article uses a subsample of 9,940 respondents. The dependent variables were the number of lovers respondents had during and after junior high school; the independent variable was the respondents' age. Regression analyses found a clear trend toward asexual behavior among young men (in their twenties and thirties). However, young women are not as asexual as the previous generation. This asexualization of men may have contributed to Japan's sharply declining marriage and birth rates. If so, other Asian societies may learn lessons from Japan's experiences in the future."

This kind of thing appears to be what Kojima is drawing parralels to in Death Stranding's fictional (key word fictional) world or back-story.
Very strange. It sounds like a chicken/egg thing - they are saying asexuality is the cause and the symptom is declining population, but perhaps cultural factors are the cause and asexuality is the symptom.
 

Plum

Member
May 31, 2018
17,374
What?! This deserves its own thread if true about views on sexual assault and asexuality.

Which game is that with the positive asexual rep?

I've got work now but I think I might make one after. Though I doubt it'd turn out well.

The other game is The Outer Worlds. It's hard to miss if you do companion quests :)
 

iFirez

Member
Oct 25, 2017
6,663
England
I'll be writing more about this once I've finished the game and post my impressions (which if things continue will be extremely positive)...

HOWEVER, early game I was terrified of BTs. I don't like Stealth in games much (I play the MGS games in a way that I don't think is optimal) and I hate Horror in games/movies/tv whatever too - so BTs mixed two of my least favourite things together. But I figured out a way to skip BTs pretty much entirely. Stock up on the hematic grenades and just get caught by the first little floaty BT in the area - let them drag you in the tar to the mini-boss fight... throw the grenades - it dies, you get a shit ton of crystals and the entire area is cleared of BTs - win win. This has become more difficult as the game has gone on as the BTs have become more difficult to beat but it still works... although I do just actively try to find a route around BT areas now. I must have fought and killed 10-15 of the BT mini bosses purely because I hate stealth and horror elements in games... but it hasn't detrimentally affected my utter amazement and constant enjoyment of the game, I just found a work around so I played it more like I want to. Also... I like fighting every MULE I see but that's a story for another time aka Norman Reedus knocks out 10 guys in 30 seconds.
 

Thorn

Banned
Oct 25, 2017
24,446
Just got to Chapter 3, really enjoying this game.

The scale of what you actually travel vs what the map says you did is making me laugh however.

Short jog and you've crossed 2 states lol
 
Mar 29, 2018
7,078
— sorry, gonna piggyback off this for visibility:

I can't get the hang of dodging or counters with the strand despite reading the instructions. Can anyone give me some tips?

normally I just end up relying on tackling the MULEs (R2 + L2 + square) to throw them off balance when they try to block me and then I just give them a beat down.
The game makes it SUPER forgiving to the point you can take down 7 mules in a row without breaking a sweat.

- when a mule is nearby, face them
- hold L2 to ready the strand, while facing them
- let them approach
- once a few feet away, they will begin a massive, obvious attack animation, pulling their weapon back for a swing
- time will slow down while they attack
-
the prompt will come up on screen saying "R2 to counter"
- press R2 (while you've been folding L2 this while time, and still are)
- voila, easiest win in the game
 

GreyFox

Member
Oct 28, 2017
245
Really, you just gotta be building bridges in places that you know will have loads of players cross over. I have a few bridges that have around 10k-15k likes and they're usually situated near the sites of hard to reach preppers. Other than that, I find that building safehouses near remote preppers like the Junk Dealer will give you a bunch of likes.

I'm nearing 40 hours played so don't sweat it, you'll start getting a bunch of likes soon. I was in a similar position but it's important you place structures in useful spots otherwise most people won't bother with them. I know I'm willing to go out of my way to give a player a bunch of likes if they place a bridge in an insanely useful spot or spot me a handy generator when I'm about to run out.

Alright. But in 99% of these spots, like around the preppers, there are all of these structures already built by other players. It's like "sorry, you're too late to the party, no likes left, sorry!". I mean, does it make any sense to build a bridge right next to the 100k like bridge everyone seems to use anyway?

As I said, and maybe that's just another reflection of social media nowadays evolving in the algorithm of this particular game now, it seems that those structures with thousands of likes already get even more likes over time in an exponential manner, while others (= late to the party) simply can't compete.
 
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Oct 25, 2017
12,475
Underground
So I no longer dislike the BT sections. In fact, I'm probably gonna get caught intentionally sometimes. Hematic grenades make these so easy. Right now, Mule encounters, despite how easy they can be, are the only thing I don't like about this game.

Also, I'm finally gonna get to episode 3 now. Once I got the bike I just started delivering shit and it's been fun nearly the whole time.
 

nib95

Contains No Misinformation on Philly Cheesesteaks
Banned
Oct 28, 2017
18,498
Damn, it's early morning here and I haven't even slept. Literally played the game for several hours in a row.

This honestly just seems like the author picking a really weird definition of asexuality.

I mean, the guy has a PhD and is a professor of Ryukyus Department of Global Health, previously worked at The National Center for Global Health and Medicine in Japan, and wrote that very paper in the International Journal of Japanese Sociology, but sure, he doesn't know what he's talking about and/or is misusing key terms in the field of his expertise?

In any case, I think holding Kojima to some standard that exceeds even that of established professionals in the field, seems....misplaced, especially given it's little more than a loose Japanese parallel for his fictional story.
 
Nov 2, 2018
1,962
So what can B.Ts actually hear? What's the logic of moving slow and holding your breath when you've got a thing on your arm that is the nosiest thing ever? Is that explained away or is it jut gamification
 

Plum

Member
May 31, 2018
17,374
Very strange. It sounds like a chicken/egg thing - they are saying asexuality is the cause and the symptom is declining population, but perhaps cultural factors are the cause and asexuality is the symptom.
Asexuality isn't a symptom of anything in the same way homosexuality or bisexuality aren't. The author of that article seems to just be using asexuality to mean celibacy or as a short-hand for lack of desire to have sex.
 

Minilla

Banned
Oct 27, 2017
3,514
Tokyo
So I no longer dislike the BT sections. In fact, I'm probably gonna get caught intentionally sometimes. Hematic grenades make these so easy. Right now, Mule encounters, despite how easy they can be, are the only thing I don't like about this game.

Also, I'm finally gonna get to episode 3 now. Once I got the bike I just started delivering shit and it's been fun nearly the whole time.
Mules are easy and fun with the Bola
 

Kaversmed

Member
Oct 27, 2017
1,730
Denmark
So I no longer dislike the BT sections. In fact, I'm probably gonna get caught intentionally sometimes. Hematic grenades make these so easy. Right now, Mule encounters, despite how easy they can be, are the only thing I don't like about this game.

Also, I'm finally gonna get to episode 3 now. Once I got the bike I just started delivering shit and it's been fun nearly the whole time.

How do you get hematic grenades?
 

Deleted member 19767

User requested account closure
Banned
Oct 27, 2017
2,098
Just got to Chapter 3, really enjoying this game.

The scale of what you actually travel vs what the map says you did is making me laugh however.

Short jog and you've crossed 2 states lol

Same. It actually bothers me a bit. I'd prefer they just referenced that you were in a part of America and not show the full country map. Being able to lightly jog to another state in a few minutes is ridiculous.
 

Team_Feisar

Member
Jan 16, 2018
5,359
Okay, stupid question time: how do I craft ammunition for the Bola?
All I see is the option to craft the gun itself.
 

Plum

Member
May 31, 2018
17,374
Damn, it's early morning here and I haven't even slept. Literally played the game for several hours in a row.



I mean, the guy has a PhD and is a professor of Ryukyus Department of Global Health, previously worked at The National Center for Global Health and Medicine in Japan, and wrote that very paper in the International Journal of Japanese Sociology, but sure, he doesn't know what he's talking about and/or is misusing key terms in the field of his expertise?

In any case, I think holding Kojima to some standard that exceeds even that of established professionals in the field, seems....misplaced, especially given it's little more than a loose Japanese parallel for his fictional story.

He's not the voice on what asexuality is so I'd appreciate it if you stop using him as a ways to dismiss actual asexuals. Also Kojima explicitly refers to the sexuality and not the Japanese celibacy phenomenon.

Also it being fictional has nothing to do with anything. Bad representation is bad representation no matter what.
 

Naetoid

Member
Apr 7, 2018
57
Oregon
Driving a reverse trike through incredibly rocky BT territory, nearly getting caught every time I crash into a rock, having to sneak my way back to my bike several times after I get knocked off by these spooky bastards, and finally finding a straightaway where I peel out with a boost.

The long stretches of meditative mundane make the short bursts of chaos brought on by BTs and MULEs incredible.

3 chapters in and I'm more than happy with it. Love the little quirks and all the polish.
 

Paquete_PT

Avenger
Oct 27, 2017
5,464
Played for 6h yesterday, I don't think I've ever had such a long session this gen. Can't stop thinking about the game. The world and atmosphere hits all my sweet spots.
Also, the aesthetic of the game makes me appreciate Prometheus that much more. Such a beautiful movie and it was a clear inspiration for the world of death stranding
 

Fredrik

Member
Oct 27, 2017
9,003
Alright. But in 99% of these spots, like around the preppers, there are all of these structures already built by other players. It's like "sorry, you're too late to the party, no likes left, sorry!". I mean, does it make any sense to build a bridge right next to the 100k like bridge everyone seems to use anyway?

As I said, and maybe that's just another reflection of social media nowadays evolving in the algorithm of this particular game now, it seems that those structures with thousands of likes already get even more likes over time in an exponential manner, while others (= late to the party) simply can't compete.
Haha this is so on point, like a brilliant jab at Instagram, youtube, Reddit, etc, especially for art. I can see scribbles which looks like crap get thousands of likes and then I see a photorealistic drawing from a newcomer get like 30 likes. Worst thing is the followers systems, that's effectively drowning people that are late to the party while old timers can just troll and post a simple Howdy and get tons of likes and replies.
Not sure how important likes are in DS though. Can you just ignore them?
 

nib95

Contains No Misinformation on Philly Cheesesteaks
Banned
Oct 28, 2017
18,498
He's not the voice on what asexuality is so I'd appreciate it if you stop using him as a ways to dismiss actual asexuals. Also Kojima explicitly refers to the sexuality and not the Japanese celibacy phenomenon.

Also it being fictional has nothing to do with anything. Bad representation is bad representation no matter what.

The point you're missing is that to Kojima and evidently others in the field of expertise, the Japanese celibacy phenomenon you describe, is actually partly related to a rise in asexuality. The point of contention is that you appear to disagree with that conclusion or notion.

In any case, if you think it's bad representation or that it's wrong or whatever, that's fine, and you're perfectly entitled to that sentiment. I was merely highlighting how Kojima could very well have researched and studied the subject and still drawn the parallel he did.

Also, as much as this tangent of discussion is genuinely interesting and it is insightful to read diverging viewpoints, I think it's best to leave it at that.
 
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Nov 2, 2017
2,275
I mean, the guy has a PhD and is a professor of Ryukyus Department of Global Health, previously worked at The National Center for Global Health and Medicine in Japan, and wrote that very paper in the International Journal of Japanese Sociology, but sure, he doesn't know what he's talking about and/or is misusing key terms in the field of his expertise?
This way of thinking is so dangerous. People should employ their own critical thinking instead of just swallowing whatever a "specialist" says.
The dependent variable in the article you linked is the amount of sexual partners. That variable in itself says nothing about the rise of asexuality. I can give you 5 other reasons why there might be a decrease in sexual partners over time that have nothing to do with asexuallity.
 

TheModestGun

Banned
Dec 5, 2017
3,781
Dan Ryckert's sentence "it fucking sucks" is appearing even more pathetic and childish after all those great impressions in here.
Glad it resonates with the majority of videogame enthusiasts and i'm happy that the AAA space can deliver unique experiences like this after all.

Will buy my copy next week along with Star Wars Fallen Order.

Yeah honestly I have no clue how he could say "it fucking sucks."

The further I get into this game the more baffled I am by basically everyone at Giant Bombs hot takes. 22 hours in and the systems keep expanding and new ideas keep getting added in that push its concepts a little further. I'm theoretically about halfway through and I keep having moments where I say wow to myself.

I've said it before, I'll say it again. I've begun to think the Giant Bomb crew are bad arbiters of taste and largely have all become too cynical for their own good. Great personalities and very entertaining podcasts though.

I don't think this game is for "everyone" but I also don't think it's nearly as niche or hard to grasp as the more negative reviews and impressions have made it out to be.
 

Plum

Member
May 31, 2018
17,374
The point you're missing is that to Kojima and evidently others in the field of expertise, the Japanese celibacy phenomenon you describe, is actually partly related to a rise in asexuality. The point of contention is that you appear to disagree with that conclusion or notion.

In any case, if you think it's bad representation or that it's wrong or whatever, that's fine, and you're perfectly entitled to that sentiment. I was merely highlighting how Kojima could very well have researched and studied the subject and still drawn the parallel he did.

They may think that, but when you've done enough research to consider demisexuality and panromanticism then using wrong definitions, even if they're "backed up," by academia (which can always be biased, influenced by societal definitions, or simply lost in translatiom) is something that needs to be called out.

The basic point here is that asexuality is not something that can "rise" or something that can be "caused" by something else. It's a sexual orientation in the exact same way every sexual orientation is.
 
Oct 27, 2017
4,689
The game makes it SUPER forgiving to the point you can take down 7 mules in a row without breaking a sweat.

- when a mule is nearby, face them
- hold L2 to ready the strand, while facing them
- let them approach
- once a few feet away, they will begin a massive, obvious attack animation, pulling their weapon back for a swing
- time will slow down while they attack
-
the prompt will come up on screen saying "R2 to counter"
- press R2 (while you've been folding L2 this while time, and still are)
- voila, easiest win in the game
...see I've never gotten a slowdown, or a prompt. This is all complete news to me.
 

Irrotational

Prophet of Truth
Member
Oct 25, 2017
7,336
Yeah honestly I have no clue how he could say "it fucking sucks."

The further I get into this game the more baffled I am by basically everyone at Giant Bombs hot takes. 22 hours in and the systems keep expanding and new ideas keep getting added in that push its concepts a little further. I'm theoretically about halfway through and I keep having moments where I say wow to myself.

I've said it before, I'll say it again. I've begun to think the Giant Bomb crew are bad arbiters of taste and largely have all become too cynical for their own good. Great personalities and very entertaining podcasts though.

I don't think this game is for "everyone" but I also don't think it's nearly as niche or hard to grasp as the more negative reviews and impressions have made it out to be.
Vinny and Alex have both specifically said that they liked the world, and the delivery missions. Both of them were mainly turned off by the lack of development of the story themes, and what they described as "a lot of cutscenes at the end that overexplain EVERYTHING ALL THE TIME".

I think you have to finish the game before you can agree or disagree with their views.

Dan and Jeff bounced off though, so you can already disagree with them! :)
 
Oct 27, 2017
1,680
What's the difference between EX grenade no. 0, 1 and 2? Are they worth carrying around in case of BT attacks? I'm still in ch2
Nope. Don't even bother. You'll get a much better grenade type very shortly as you push through the story. Just sneak past BTs til then. So far I Don't know why those grenades exist other than kojima trying to be cute about the idea you're literally throwing around shit and piss.
 

TheModestGun

Banned
Dec 5, 2017
3,781
Vinny and Alex have both specifically said that they liked the world, and the delivery missions. Both of them were mainly turned off by the lack of development of the story themes, and what they described as "a lot of cutscenes at the end that overexplain EVERYTHING ALL THE TIME".

I think you have to finish the game before you can agree or disagree with their views.

Dan and Jeff bounced off though, so you can already disagree with them! :)
Yeah we'll have to see how the story stuff delivers, but obviously the gameplay stuff didn't resonate with Alex enough to give the game more than 2 stars so I already disagree with him on that principle alone. I'm in chapter 4 and the loop keeps getting more and more interesting.
 

astro

Member
Oct 25, 2017
57,544
How do you get Legend of Legend ranks and the badges that appear in peoples' profiles in the Bridge Links?
 

Phendrift

Member
Oct 25, 2017
32,522
The sense of scale and exploration is what I was so desperately looking for in BotW. I'm so glad Death Stranding fulfilled that craving. I honestly think this is my favourite open-world ever. What a turnaround from MGSV's awful, awful game world.

VxnfFMY.png


Yes you can kill people, no I would not recommend it
DS is the best open world right after BotW for me but I cannot comprehend one saying that BotW doesn't have scale...
 

Phendrift

Member
Oct 25, 2017
32,522
The people that think this is easy seriously have not met a certain group of enemies that you come across later in the game (I'm not talking about MULEs or BTs). Their A.I can be exploited sure but they're an absolute pain in the ass to fight straight up and gave me MGSV vibes.
I thought those were the only enemies :o
 

Irrotational

Prophet of Truth
Member
Oct 25, 2017
7,336
Yeah we'll have to see how the story stuff delivers, but obviously the gameplay stuff didn't resonate with Alex enough to give the game more than 2 stars so I already disagree with him on that principle alone. I'm in chapter 4 and the loop keeps getting more and more interesting.
Yeah that's true. In their discussions I don't think they have placed much weight on the delivery stuff they enjoyed in chapter 3.

Both of them seem to dislike the BTs and the "boss" fights...I wonder if it was made worse by trying to review it for a deadline.
 

iFirez

Member
Oct 25, 2017
6,663
England
I've just finished watching what must be the longest cutscene or series of cutscenes in the game so far. 20-30minutes easily.
 

Zor

Member
Oct 30, 2017
11,592
I haven't tried it yet but when you sit down to rest (not sleep), can you read emails and interviews/tips in real-time? In cutscenes they show everyone popping the cuff links stuff a number of times to demonstrate things so I was wondering if you could effectively catch up on stuff without pausing the game world/rest time to do so?
 
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