Games Elevated by Monorails: A Death Stranding 2 Inspired Wishlist

Death Stranding 2: On The Beach irrevocably demonstrated how monorails can transform gameplay dynamics, turning logistical tedium into thrilling infrastructure strategy. Sam Porter Bridges' rail-building choices created ripples across the gaming landscape, proving that elevated transit systems aren't just background decor but catalysts for innovation. This revelation sparks an intriguing question: which other titles could metamorphose their worlds with steel ribbons in the sky? From nuclear wastelands to cyberpunk dystopias, these eight games possess untapped potential where monorails could weave new narratives and mechanics, much like a loom threading gold through burlap. 🚝

1. Atomfall: The Interchange Express

Set in a hauntingly British post-apocalypse, Atomfall's sprawling Interchange complex suffers from labyrinthine corridors that feel like navigating a spiderweb in a nuclear winter. While the oppressive atmosphere has its grim charm, players rebuilding this irradiated world desperately need vertical relief. A monorail snaking through the facility's cavernous spaces would convert tedious backtracking into strategic transit puzzles—imagine plotting routes around collapsed sectors while monitoring radiation levels. This addition wouldn't just accelerate travel; it would transform infrastructure restoration into a tangible lifeline against despair.

2. Final Fantasy XV: Modernizing Eos

Despite the Regalia's nostalgic charm, Final Fantasy XV's vast landscapes often feel emptier than a desert hourglass. Monorails bridging Lucis' major settlements would inject dynamism into these spaces, creating living arteries between Lestallum and Insomnia. Picture Noctis and crew not just fixing broken cables for side quests but boarding sleek transit pods that showcase Eos from breathtaking heights—turning travel into spectacle rather than chore. Such networks could even integrate with combat, allowing aerial ambushes on Behemoths from moving carriages. 🏙️

3. Elebits: Chaos on Rails

This Wii cult classic thrives on kinetic chaos, yet its static environments limit the mayhem. A monorail stage would become the ultimate playground: cars tilting during sharp turns sending teacups and electronics avalanching toward players. Hunting Elebits here would feel like finding pearls in an oyster made of wires—each carriage offering unique interactive ecosystems. Motion controls could extend to redirecting tracks or triggering emergency stops, making destruction as strategic as it is cathartic.

4. Little Nightmares: Claustrophobic Commute

Trapped transit becomes pure horror fuel in this franchise. A monorail level could amplify dread through confined carts where every squeal of metal hints at approaching entities. Players might hide under seats from Long-Limbed pursuers or rewire control panels to escape, turning the carriage into a metal coffin hurtling through darkness. The rhythmic clatter of wheels could synchronize with enemy patrols, creating tension as precise as a scalpel's edge.

5. Katana Zero: Blade Ballet on Rails

While most levels remain anchored, a monorail sequence could make time manipulation shine. Imagine slicing through enemies across interconnected cars that decouple during fights—requiring players to leap between carriages mid-combo like a dancer on a tightrope. Environmental hazards like exposed wires or sudden drops would force split-second rewinds, transforming each carriage into a lethal puzzle box. The moving backdrop would visualize speed in ways static screens never could. ⚡

6. Road 96: Freedom Above the Dust

Hitchhiking’s unpredictability defines this road-trip rogue-like, but monorails could offer sublime contrast. Elevated routes would unveil Petria’s landscapes like a pop-up book unfolding—snow-capped peaks and deserts streaming below while tense negotiations play out in confined cabins. Random events could include fixing sabotaged tracks or fleeing inspectors through maintenance tunnels, making each ride a high-stakes gamble. Choices here might even alter political storylines through overheard conversations.

7. Katamari Damacy: Rolling Revolution

Starting small reaches new heights inside a monorail carriage. Players could begin by rolling gum wrappers under seats before growing large enough to consume entire passenger groups and eventually the train itself—a delicious matryoshka doll of destruction. The confined space would force creative angle exploitation while the outside scenery rushes past in a colorful blur. Each carriage connection could serve as a growth milestone, with physics-based chaos escalating as the Katamari buckles the rails.

8. Sable: Skyward Ceremony

Sable’s vocation quests crave more transport mystique. A lone monorail drifting between dunes would embody melancholy beauty—a steel scarab gliding above sands. As a technician apprentice, Sable could troubleshoot solar-powered engines or align magnetic tracks during sandstorms, turning maintenance into meditative mini-games. Riding the rails during sunset would offer vistas making her glider feel provincial, framing career choices against horizons wider than destiny itself. 🌄

Monorails aren’t mere gimmicks; they’re narrative arteries pumping fresh possibilities into gaming worlds. Like clockwork birds migrating across digital skies, these structures redefine how we traverse, fight, and feel within virtual spaces. Why settle for grounded adventures when you can ride the rails of imagination? Sketch your dream monorail integrations and let creativity depart the station—every track begins with a single rail.