Peak Kojima, this is my favorite story game OAT. It has one of the most unique aesthetics, which hooked me the moment I saw the trailer. The character writing is beautiful, and the landscapes and general atmosphere is just gorgeous. Trying to explain this game to other people and have it sound interesting is a challenge, as "post-apocalyptic mailman walking sim" doesn't sound very appealing gameplay-wise. However, the mechanics and gameplay are oddly good and often challenge me in the right way to where I want to do "just one more delivery". Combat, while not the main focus of the game, time and care was still put into it, and in every encounter with either B.T.'s or M.U.L.E's, you have to think and be patient, then weigh your options, and it adds so much more depth to the game than if the combat mechanics were generic and one-dimensional. Another aspect of this game I find incredibly thought out is the community features, not only the structures and signs, but there is a really cool mechanic where if a lot of players take the same route, it forms a desire path in the actual landscape. When I first noticed it, I was blown away, and I'm still to this day fascinated by how such a simple idea makes the game feel just that much better and alive. Last thing is the music, and oh boy, Kojima chose a banger of a band. "Low Roar" has such a unique and dystopian sound with an underlying tone of pain yet still being gentile and warm, their music fits this game so perfectly, and enhances an already beautiful area into Images that have ingrained themselves into my memory. Now anytime I hear a "Low Roar" song, I relive the moments I first played DS and was hearing their music for the first time, and immersing myself into this story, and just being lost for words at the artistry of this game. It's just a masterpiece, and I don't think any other story game has surpassed DS for me, and I wish I could say more about it, but I feel it's better to experience DS for oneself. Praise Kojima.
