Unlocking the Mysteries of Death Stranding's Chiral Network: A Comprehensive Guide

Highlights

The Chiral Network in Death Stranding is a major gameplay element that allows players to build new infrastructure and make travel safer.

The network's origins are dark, intertwining Bridge Babies and their link to the realm of the deceased. Grasping the significance of the Chiral Network is pivotal to comprehending the game's narrative and may hold significance in the upcoming sequel.

When Death Stranding first released in 2019, it immediately became one of the most unforgettable games of its time. Despite facing some controversies and flaws, its captivating storyline, characters, and overall world-building left a profound impact on players. However, certain aspects of Death Stranding proved challenging to grasp, owing to their complexity and intricacy.

Although the game boasted an exceptional narrative within its console generation, several elements remained ambiguous. Often, the game deviated from the "show, don't tell" rule, relying heavily on phone conversations and other dialogues to unveil significant revelations. These moments, at times, tested players' comprehension as they incorporated various components like story, characters, plot, and gameplay, without always achieving a seamless integration. One such example was the enigmatic Chiral Network.

The Chiral Network in Death Stranding’s Plot

The Chiral Network played a crucial role in the unique gameplay of Death Stranding. Although Sam Bridges' main objective was to rescue his adopted sister from the game's primary antagonist, Higgs Monaghan, he had to undertake a journey spanning the entire United States. Along the way, he had to persuade various scattered settlements to join the network, thereby uniting the nation once again. Typically, this involved making deliveries to these settlements, who would then require a similar favor from Sam before joining the network.

Within the story, the Chiral Network served as a substitute for the Internet. The game's background implies that catastrophic events years ago not only gave rise to the BTs in Death Stranding, but also decimated various communication methods. Once a settlement agreed to join the network, players gained the ability to construct new roads and other forms of infrastructure, making travel safer and more convenient. However, it is important to note that the network's origins originated from a much darker place.

The Chiral Network’s Grim Origins

The Bridge Babies in Death Stranding were both bizarre and iconic. They were newborns taken from brain-dead mothers, who had lived long enough for the babies to survive independently. These babies were placed in containers, and their unique connection to the world of the dead allowed them to detect BTs. People relied on them for protection when venturing outside cities. However, in the early stages, the individuals responsible for the Bridge Babies had a much darker purpose for them.

During these initial experiments, Bridget Strand, Sam's adoptive mother and the President of the United States, intended to integrate the Bridge Babies into the Chiral Network. A major plot twist in Death Stranding uncovers why this plan failed and reveals an unexpected link to Sam Porter's personal history. Subsequently, real progress in network development occurred when Malingen, known as "Mama," and her twin sister Lockne took over the design, seemingly excluding the need for Bridge Babies.

The Chiral Network holds significant importance in the gameplay, plot, and lore of the game, making it complex to grasp. It is intricately intertwined with various aspects of Hideo Kojima's latest game, Death Stranding. To fully comprehend the story and potentially prepare for the sequel, understanding the Chiral Network is crucial. Whether the network will have an impact in the next installment or not is unknown. Death Stranding is accessible on PC, PS4, and PS5.