Stranded Again, but Unable to Escape an Auteur's Themes
This is Lou, the child Sam saved at the end of Death Stranding by freeing her from an embryonic pod. Lou is a toddler now, at the mercy of Sam's clumsy single-dad shenanigans. You spend the first few hours of Death Stranding 2 toting Lou around in a custom harness, taking extra care not to trip while navigating pitched inclines. You watch as Sam cooks her breakfast, sings her lullabies and distracts her with toys.
This touching sequence is cut short, unfortunately, so that the real game can begin. When Lou is taken away from Sam (Norman Reedus), he is thrust back into the deeply familiar role of a porter designated with reconnecting a bunch of estranged cities and bunkers. Like in the first game, most of the action of Death Stranding 2 involves making solitary, perilous deliveries — across mountains, through forests, over rivers — in order to rebuild a world torn apart by its returning dead.
Though Death Stranding 2 has Sam connecting the forts and outposts of a ravaged Australia rather than the United States, its format remains the same. The game is less a sequel than a reiteration.
Many of these story beats overlap with those of the game's 2019 predecessor. There's still Sam's ambivalent relationship to power and his reluctant, if inevitable, obedience to shadowy figures and organizations who wind up revealing their true nature in the third act (a staple plot device of the series' auteur director, Hideo Kojima). The dastardly Higgs Monaghan, playfully embodied by a returning Troy Baker, appears intermittently to foil Sam's steady advancement. There are even occasional visits to an alternate dimension where Sam must do battle against a mysterious man with sad, beautiful eyes; Neil Vana (Luca Marinelli) takes over the position that Cliff Unger (Mads Mikkelsen) ably filled the last time around.
Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Forbes
15 minutes ago
- Forbes
‘Superman' Movies Ranked Worst To Best By Rotten Tomatoes Critics
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 23: The Superman costume as worn by Christopher Reeve in Superman III is ... More displayed at the Auction House of Bonhams and Goodman on May 23, 2009 in Melbourne, Australia. The Costume will be auctioned tomorrow and is expected to make between AUD$15,000-20,000. (Photo by) James Gunn's Superman, starring David Corenswet in the title role, is new in theaters this week, and soon fans will find out how the writer-director's version rates against the Superman movies that came before it. Superman, which is written and directed by Gunn, plays in Thursday previews before opening Friday in theaters nationwide. The official summary for Superman partially reads, 'When Superman (Corenswet) is drawn into conflicts both abroad and at home, his actions to protect humankind are questioned, and his vulnerability allows tech billionaire and master deceiver Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult) to leverage the opportunity to get Superman out of the way for good. David Corenswet in "Superman." 'Will the Daily Planet's intrepid reporter Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan) together with the aid of Metropolis's other metahumans and Superman's own four-legged companion, Krypto, be able to help Superman before Luthor can completely destroy him?' Superman marks the seventh solo movie about DC Comics' Man of Steel from Warner Bros., which began in 1978 with the release of Superman: The Movie, starring the late Christopher Reeve as Clark Kent/Superman. Listed below are Rotten Tomatoes critics' ratings for the first six Superman films, from worst to best. Since this is a list of Superman's solo films, the list does not include 2016's Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice, which featured the DC superhero trio of Superman (Henry Cavill), Batman (Ben Affleck) and Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot), or either cut of Justice League. 'Superman IV: The Quest For Peace' (1987) The fourth and final film starring Christopher Reeve as Superman/Clark Kent was blasted by Rotten Tomatoes critics, who collectively gave the film a 14% 'rotten' rating based on 114 viewers. Audiences, meanwhile, gave the film a 16% 'rotten' score on RT's Popcornmeter based on 50,000-plus verified user ratings. The RT Consensus for Superman IV: Quest for Peace reads, 'The Superman series bottoms with The Quest for Peace -- the action is boring, the special effects look cheaper, and none of the actors appear interested in where the plot's going.' 'Superman III' (1983) Neither comedy legend Richard Pryor nor The Man From U.N.C.L.E. star Robert Vaughn could help Christopher Reeve give lift to the third Superhero chapter, which Rotten Tomatoes critics gave a 29% 'rotten' rating based on 79 reviews. Audiences found even less to be enthused about with Superman III, as the movie earned a 23% 'rotten' Popcornmeter score based on 100,000-plus user ratings. The RT Critics Consensus for the film reads, When not overusing sight gags, slapstick, and Richard Pryor, Superman III resorts to plot points rehashed from the previous Superman flicks." 'Man Of Steel' (2013) Starring Henry Cavill as Superman/Clark Kent and Amy Adams as Lois Lane, Man of Steel marked the second reboot attempt of the Superman franchise by Warner Bros. Grounded in real-world sensibilities like Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight movies, Nolan and David S. Goyer wrote the screen story while Goyer wrote the screenplay for Man of Steel with Zack Snyder in the director's chair. While Rotten Tomatoes critics gave Man of Steel a 57% 'rotten' rating based on 327 reviews, audiences embraced the film with a 75% 'fresh' rating on RT's Popcornmeter based on 250,000 user ratings. The RT Critics Consensus for Man of Steel reads, 'Man of Steel's exhilarating action and spectacle can't fully overcome its detours into generic blockbuster territory.' 'Superman Returns' (2006) Brandon Routh made his first and only appearance as Superman/Clark Kent opposite Kate Bosworth's Lois Lane and Kevin Spacey's Lex Luthor in director Bryan Singer's Superman Returns, the first reboot of the Superman film franchise by Warner Bros. Superman Returns earned a 73% 'fresh' rating from Rotten Tomatoes critics based on 275 reviews, while audiences gave the film a less-enthusiastic 60% 'fresh' score on RT's Popcornmeter based on 250,000-plus user ratings. The RT Critics Consensus for Superman Returns reads, "Bryan Singer's reverent and visually decadent adaptation gives the Man of Steel welcome emotional complexity. The result: a satisfying stick-to-your-ribs adaptation." 'Superman II' (1980) Superman: The Movie director Richard Donner returned but was fired and replaced by Richard Lester for the first sequel starring Christopher Reeve as the Man of Steel. Also returning from the original film was Margot Kidder as Lois Lane and Gene Hackman as Lex Luthor. Superman II received an 88% 'fresh' review from Rotten Tomatoes critics, while audiences gave it a 76% 'fresh' Popcornmeter score based on 100,000-plus user ratings. The RT Critics Consensus for Superman II reads, 'The humor occasionally stumbles into slapstick territory, and the special effects are dated, but Superman II meets, if not exceeds, the standard set by its predecessor.' 'Superman: The Movie' (1978) Christopher Reeve took up the mantle of playing Superman/Clark Kent following George Reeves' turn as the iconic character on TV for Superman: The Movie. Directed by Richard Donner, Supeman: The Movie also starred Margot Kidder as Lois Lane and Gene Hackman as Lex Luthor, and featured The Godfather legend Marlon Brando in the small but pivotal role of Jor-El, the father of Superman, who was born Kal-El. Superman: The Movie was largely a hit with Rotten Tomatoes critics, who collectively gave the film a 90% 'fresh' rating based on 84 reviews. Audiences also were high on Superman: The Movie, giving it an 86% 'fresh' Popcornmeter score based on 250,000-plus user ratings. The RT Critics Consensus for Superman: The Movie reads, 'Superman deftly blends humor and gravitas, taking advantage of the perfectly cast Christopher Reeve to craft a loving, nostalgic tribute to an American pop culture icon.' James Gunn's version of Superman will play in Thursday previews before opening in theaters nationwide on Friday. This article will be updated once RT posts its reviews for the movie.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Julian McMahon Praised Daughter Madison's Career Achievements 4 Months Before His Death at 56
Nearly four months before Julian McMahon's tragic death at 56, he made it clear how overwhelmingly proud he was of his daughter. 'Taught my first yoga class today at @ahanayoga!!' McMahon's daughter, Madison, wrote via Instagram on March 8. "I guess dreams do come true ✨.' The Australian actor was the first to comment on the post, hyping up the 25-year-old's achievement. 'Your [sic] awesome!!!!!' McMahon, who shared Madison with ex-wife Brooke Burns, replied. Holly Marie Combs, Rose McGowan and More Mourn Julian McMahon After His Death at 56 Madison replied to her father's message at the time, playfully correcting his grammar. '@julianmcmahonofficial, no YOU'RE awesome,' she wrote. McMahon, who was best known for roles on Charmed, Nip/Tuck and Marvel's Runaways, died earlier this month after a private battle with an undisclosed form of cancer. 'With an open heart, I wish to share with the world that my beloved husband, Julian McMahon, died peacefully this week after a valiant effort to overcome cancer,' his wife, Kelly McMahon, wrote in a Friday, July 4, statement. 'Julian loved life. He loved his family. He loved his friends. He loved his work, and he loved his fans. His deepest wish was to bring joy into as many lives as possible.' She continued, 'We ask for support during this time to allow our family to grieve in privacy. And we wish for all of those to whom Julian brought joy to continue to find joy in life. We are grateful for the memories.' Julian married Kelly in 2014. He was previously married to Dannii Minogue from 1994 to 1995 and Burns, 47, from 1999 to 2001. Kelly Carlson Says She's 'Shocked and Saddened' By 'Nip/Tuck' Costar Julian McMahon's Death Burns, for her part, broke her silence on Julian's passing on Saturday, July 5. 'Rest in Peace,' she captioned a throwback photo of the late Australian star and Madison. In the comments section, Hallmark star Kristoffer Polaha offered his support. 'I'm praying for you and Maddy as you and her especially grieve this out ❤️,' Polaha, 48, replied. Other stars, including members of Julian's Charmed family, have also expressed their heartbreak and condolences. 'I'm heartbroken. Julian McMahon was magic. That smile. That laugh. That talent. That presence,' Alyssa Milano wrote via Instagram. 'He walked into a room and lit it up — not just with charisma, but with kindness. With mischief. With soulful understanding.' The 52-year-old actress added, 'Julian was more than my TV husband. He was a dear friend. The kind who checks in. The kind who remembers. The kind who shares. The kind who tells you the truth, even when it's uncomfortable — but always with love.'
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Royel Otis Lands First Billboard No. 1 With ‘Moody'
Royel Otis tops a Billboard chart for the first time as 'Moody' lifts a spot to No. 1 on the Adult Alternative Airplay tally dated July 12. 'Moody' exceeds the No. 2 peak of the duo's cover of Sophie Ellis-Bextor's 'Murder on the Dancefloor,' which hit No. 2 on Alternative Airplay in July 2024. More from Billboard 5 Must-Hear New Country Songs: Erin Enderlin, Randy Houser, Charley Crockett & More Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong Celebrates 4th of July With 'F-k Donald Trump' Chant in Belgium Spice Girls' Mel B Marries Longtime Boyfriend Rory McPhee in London Prior to 'Moody,' Royel Otis' high on Adult Alternative Airplay was notched via 'If Our Love Is Dead,' which reached No. 39 this January. Royel Otis is the first act to score an initial No. 1 on Adult Alternative Airplay in 2025. James Bay last achieved the feat with 'Up All Night,' with The Lumineers and Noah Kahan, for a week last October. Royel Otis — duo Royel Maddell and Otis Pavlovic, which formed Sydney, Australia, in 2019 — boasts two career top 10s on Alternative Airplay, with 'Murder on the Dancefloor' joined by the No. 10-peaking 'Sofa King,' last November. 'Moody' concurrently reaches a new No. 15 high on Alternative Airplay. The track also ascends 16-14 on the all-rock-format, audience-based Rock & Alternative Airplay chart with 2.4 million audience impressions, up 11%, in the week ending July 3, according to Luminate. The act's best there so far is 'Murder on the Dancefloor,' which rose to No. 5. 'Moody' is the lead single from Hickey, Royel Otis' second studio album, due Aug. 22. A second song from the project, 'Car,' was released in June. All Billboard charts dated July 12 will update Tuesday, July 8, on Best of Billboard Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1 Four Decades of 'Madonna': A Look Back at the Queen of Pop's Debut Album on the Charts Chart Rewind: In 1990, Madonna Was in 'Vogue' Atop the Hot 100
