Welcome back to Dead and Stranded. Today we are looking at episode two: Amelie
Note: the PS4 Pro was having a few hiccups with recording - I didn't find out until much further in the game, and the saves don't go back far enough. There are a few tiny 1sec jumps - Mostly I've worked around them when it's not in the middle of a word. But there is at least one incident in each of the first few episodes. So sorry about that and hope it doesn't ruin your enjoyment.
Death Stranding - Episode Two: Amelie
We finally meet the president's daughter, Amelie in one of my favourite early scenes of the game. I enjoy it because it's as full on Escape From New York/ Metal Gear Solid as I think this game ever gets. The music and holographic map are on point, as is Sam's reaction to the whole proposal.
Sam's mission is to travel west and reconnect america on his way to Edge Knot City, where the President's Daughter is being held captive. Sounds simple enough.
We are also introduced to the "Homo Demens" - extremist who are happy to kill people in populated areas in order to cause void outs, Higg's is no doubt their leader.
This is probably a good time to talk about the soundtrack. it's amazing. Not only do we have guest artists writing for Death Stranding, and a huge library of others (though if you're not a fan of Low Roar, be warned as it appears most of their back catalogue is here) But best of all is the original score created by Ludvig Fossell.
Ludvig Fossell also had his hand in the Phantom Pain soundtrack, which I love - With "V has come to" being my favourite. But here he seems to have surpassed himself, there is a wonderful mix of freaky, emotional and epic. Ludvig really gets it, I can't wait to hear what he has in store for us in the future.
If you have Spotify, the Phantom pain (there are about three) and Death Stranding soundtracks are on there, along with as much Low Roar as you could ever wish for.
The Beach
Amelie doesn't age because her body is on the beach. But what does that actually mean? What is the Beach? Sam keeps popping back there whenever he's a sleep.
It appears to be a doorway or crossroads between the living and the dead. BT is short for Beached Thing, like those whales etc we see on the beach. We know that the dead who try to return to their bodies create BT's, so they must come through the Beach.
But the Beach is also a place where Sam appears to visit in dreams, to relive past memories and communicate with Amelie.
It's a funny word, strand.
A strand is part of rope or bond
While stranding means being washed up on the shore
and being stranded is when you can't go home
- Amelie
Mules and BT's
Out in the field you'll see a brief glimpse of Mules. These dudes are obsessed with cargo. They leave sensors that "ping" your location if you go through their territory. You can get an upgrade later, where if you time it right you can scan, negate their ping, and actually see where all they are hiding.
As you can see I was saved by time fall and they couldn't get away fast enough. Unfortunately, that meant I'd walked straight into a patch of BT's. It was tense, but unlike last time I managed to get through this encounter unscathed.
Bridge Babies
If you wondered what Bridge babies actually were, well now you've found out. It is a bit shocking isn't it, quite a thing. It makes sense with the function they perform in the game. But what did you think about it?
And always remember, BB's are just equipment, don't get attached!
Fragile
I'm very excited for the next episode as we finally get to see more of the fantastic Fragile. Whenever the game focuses on a character, we more often than not get to see their past and how they ended up in the situation they are now in. Each one is emotional and interesting in it's own way and makes you love the character even more.
But don't worry, you don't have too long to wait to see.
Until next time my friends, be seeing you x x
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