A common factor across cultures is the development of mythologies. Myths and folktales often permeate over time, with themes, characters and story beats being remixed and reimagined through their different iterations. Look at the many retellings of Robin Hood or King Arthur, for instance.
One thing about our folktales is they often have some basis in reality. The historical figure of William Wallace inspired Gibson's Braveheart, while the ad man culture of the 1960s is amalgamised into the seven seasons of Mad Men.
The most common tales, however, are tales of creation and nationhood. Sterilised or simplified retellings of the founding of the US, Australia, etc are told and retold, with elements removed or shifted for audience (e.g, a kindergarden class learn about a rather different "discovery" of Australia than high school students).
It stands to reason, then, the fictional worlds of our media would have their own tales of birth, death and creation. In the case of Death Stranding, I believe that Yoku's Island Express is a retelling of Sam Porter Bridges' journey to unite America, heavily reconfigured as a tale of morality and unity for a young audience.
In the first act of Death Stranding, Sam is killed in a Voidout, the truck he was travelling in destroyed. As he is a repatriate, he finds himself briefly in the seam/on his beach, returning to the land of the living only to be burdened with the postal-responsibilities to end all postal-responsibilities.
By a similar token, Yoku, on his way to the island, is caught in a horrendous storm and plunges under water, only to wash up on the shore of the beach shortly afterwards. Like Sam, he must now become the postmaster of the land.
Sam's job is to unite the cities of America - some who he must prove his worth to first - in the face of an extinction event. Yoku must also unite the tribes of the land, who similarly ask for help before agreeing. Yoku is gathering these clans together because the God creature who holds the island together has been poisoned by the GodSlayer, an extinction entity of sorts. For both Sam and Yoku, getting another clan/city on board is sealed with the delivery of a package, with both delivering other mail along the way.
Towards the end of Death Stranding, Amelie, who was helping Sam along the way, is revealed to be the extinction entity, who has orchestrated events to speed up the end of the world. Yoku's companion, Kickback, who helps throughout the game, is revealed at the end to in fact be the GodSlayer. Both Amelie and KickBack are given a shot at redemption following the game's climax.
As for some other simlarities:
-Sam can create/use ziplines in an area once he has connected them, thus getting around easier. Yoku gains access to the Beeline System once he has cleared an area.
-Both have a tenuous relationship with individuals who wear skullmasks.
-Both face down eldritch horrors in a decaying world.
-While combat does occur, the main gameplay loop is more about travel/positive actions.
-Both are tethered to a small object that helps them. Spooky fetuses are a bit much for kids, so its just a dungball now.
-On the dungball note, both can use poop to get out of tough situations.
In short, Yoku's Island Express is a children's tale about Norman Reedus and The Funky Feoutus' journey to reunite America. Told many, many years later.
No comments:
Post a Comment