What Is Timefall? Hideo Kojima Explains Death Stranding’s Central Mechanic

 Wibbly Wobbly, Timey Wimey

It’s taken a fair while, but finally we are getting tidbits of information in regards to Hideo Kojima’s latest project. The extended, cinematic trailer that was revealed at the Game Awards had us all just as shocked as we were confused. There was just so much…Kojima-ness all at once it was hard to digest, but as to be expected, the mind behind Metal Gear does nothing on a whim.

According to an article on Gamingbolt, he revealed one aspect of the game and how it will affect both the player as well as Normun Reedus’ character. Its name is Timefall; rain that literally reshapes the body-clock of everything and everyone it touches.

Death Stranding seems to be chock-full of outlandish things that somehow all fit together, from babies and mechanical arms to the weird but wonderful concept of not dying to Norman Reedus lying on a beech full of dead whales. Another mechanic that we know a little bit about is that of “Timefall”, and in an interview with IGN, Hideo Kojima recently gave a little more information on it.

What exactly is Timefall, first and foremost? It’s the rain that we’ve been seeing in the game’s trailer for some time now. The rain has the ability to manipulate time, apparently. As soon as the drops touch the surface, they have the ability to make plants grow, to make a human body age with rapid speed, within a matter of just a few seconds. According to Hideo Kojima, this rain will be integral to the game’s story and lore.

Norman Reedus’ character, named Sam, it seems, is unique as far as this rain is concerned, in that he seems to have a damn clue about what exactly it is and what it does (unlike most of us). “Most people in the game are aware of the rain,” Kojima said. “And well, Norman is quite unique in this regard… I think I should stop there. I’m spilling the beans.” That tells us next to nothing, in typical Kojima fashion, though it does indicate that Norman Reedus’ character may have some specific way of dealing with this rain, or maybe even using it to his advantage.

Sounds like not only is this time-shifting precipitation going to lead the way to even more outlandish visuals, but will serve as a possible enemy that players will have to be constantly mindful of. This still doesn’t explain the babies in the jars or the giant shadow monsters, but hey, all in good time right?

Be sure to check out the latest trailer for Death Stranding below.