What Do ‘Likes’ Do In Death Stranding?

Death Stranding has a lot of unique social media mechanics in-game, but what do those ‘likes’ do, exactly? Death Stranding is definitely a game in its own class, an adventure that has been met with a very divisive reaction from the gaming community. Less focused on combat and more centered towards social commentary, there are a lot of nuggets of present-day society nustled in. When it’s not Monster Energy Drinks, it’s getting those likes but what do they do?

What do Likes do in Death Stranding? 

Since this game is all about “building bridges,” connection is key. Likes, in this game, help the player impact the Porter Grade system in-game as it is meant to be molded. This not only changes how the player sees the world as a whole, but also how the world sees them. 

Just like in real life, ‘Likes’ can equate to connection with people from all over the world. Each new area discovered means desolation all over again, tasking Sam with connecting with others in order to fully immerse in each new setting. Though this all sounds really cool, it’s important to note that you won’t actually be seeing other players, just their own mark on the world via architecture, signs, etc. 

Active vs. Passive

For those diving right in, you may have noticed that there are two Likes categories: Active and Passive. These are pretty self-explanatory, but Active means an exchange of Likes for useful in-game behavior. I like that you built this building, so I’m going to leave behind useful materials for others to use. If you liked it, you don’t have to put a ring on it – just put a Like on it instead.

Passive means a use of in-game resources without active participation in the social media side of the game. This mode of appreciation is just that: a way to say “hey, thanks, that’s really cool of you” while moving on with their own progress. 

What’s the payoff? 

In real life, Likes can suddenly make you go viral and become a 15-minute superstar. Here, it’s not quite the same though it does help players increase their Porter rep. While that rep increases, so does the player’s skill base and abilities, which then in-turn enriches the connection with other players. More connection is the entire point of Death Stranding, making the Likes feature a vital role in how this game plays out. 

For now, Death Stranding – and all of its Likes – is available on PlayStation 4 with a Summer 2020 release planned for Steam and the Epic Games Store. 

 “Sam Bridges must brave a world utterly transformed by the Death Stranding. Carrying the stranded remnants of the future in his hands, Sam embarks on a journey to reunite the shattered world one step at a time. What is the mystery of the Death Stranding? What will Sam discover on the road ahead? A genre-defining gameplay experience holds these answers and more.”