Los Angeles

A ghost city of concrete and rain, where the dead walk and couriers deliver hope.

Los Angeles serves as a pivotal hub and major delivery destination within the fractured United States of Death Stranding. Once a sprawling metropolis of millions, it now exists as a ghostly ruin reclaimed by nature and the Chiral Network's decay. The city is home to the Los Angeles HUB, a fortified settlement where survivors gather under the protection of local Bridges forces. It represents the desperate struggle to maintain civilization in the face of the Voidout apocalypse and the encroaching Other Side. For couriers like Sam Porter Bridges, LA is both a logistical nightmare and a symbol of humanity's refusal to give up.

Quick Facts

Region: Pacific Coast
Status: Active HUB; Heavily Infested
Key landmark: Los Angeles HUB
Primary threat: Chiralium Rain and High-Density BTs
Network connection: Connected to the Chiral Network

Lore & Background

In the aftermath of the Death Stranding event, Los Angeles was one of the first major cities to suffer catastrophic collapse. The initial Voidouts shattered the urban landscape, leaving behind a labyrinth of ruined skyscrapers and overgrown streets. Unlike some regions that were completely abandoned, LA retained a population strong enough to form a HUB, making it a beacon for survivors attempting to reconnect with the mainland. The city's geography is dominated by the constant presence of Chiralium rain, which falls heavily in specific districts, turning them into no-go zones teeming with Beached Things. The ruins themselves are often structurally compromised, requiring careful navigation through debris fields and collapsed highways.

Reader's Guide

Los Angeles is characterized by its dense urban canyons formed by collapsed freeways and towering, crumbling skyscrapers. The terrain is highly uneven, with debris piles creating natural barriers that force couriers to find creative routes around or over them. The most significant hazard is the pervasive Chiralium rain, which appears in distinct zones throughout the city. These areas are heavily infested with Beached Things, making traversal extremely dangerous without proper equipment like BT repellents or stealth gear. The rain also obscures vision and degrades cargo stability if not managed correctly. Geography dictates that most delivery routes must skirt the edges of these rain zones, often leading to longer but safer paths through the outskirts. Couriers must be prepared for sudden encounters with high-level BTs in the deeper ruins, where the connection to the Other Side is strongest.

Did You Know?

Los Angeles was one of the few major cities that managed to maintain an active HUB despite severe infrastructure damage.
The city's unique layout includes multiple levels of ruined highways that serve as natural bridges for traversal.
Chiralium rain in LA is particularly dense, often requiring couriers to use specialized gear just to survive a short trek.
The Los Angeles HUB serves as a critical link between the West Coast and the rest of the reconnected United States.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Los Angeles a character or a location?

It is not a person but a major geographic region located on the Pacific Coast of the fractured United States. Once a sprawling metropolis, it now exists as a ghostly ruin reclaimed by nature and chiral decay.

Can couriers deliver packages to this area safely?

Navigating Los Angeles is considered a logistical nightmare due to the constant threat of Voidouts from the Other Side. Couriers must exercise extreme caution while traversing the dangerous, rain-soaked streets.

What role does the city play in the story?

Los Angeles acts as both a delivery destination and a symbol of hope amidst the encroaching Other Side. It highlights the resilience required to keep the network alive even within ghost cities of concrete and rain.