Death Stranding 2: On the Beach review: Tomorrow is always ahead of us

by

Approximately six years have passed since the initial release of Death Stranding, and the world has undergone significant transformations during this period. We’ve witnessed political instability, economic crises, a global pandemic, and numerous other events. It is this backdrop that makes Death Stranding 2: On the Beach intriguing in the year 2025. In contrast to the original game where Kojima and his team wove a tale of connections, its sequel delves into the potential perils of those same connections, examining the hurt they can inflict upon us and even their capacity for manipulation. The narrative is a rollercoaster ride of highs and lows, masterfully crafted through enhanced gameplay mechanics and engaging characters who embark on a lengthy and at times uncomfortable voyage towards an awe-inspiring conclusion.

I will hold you and protect you

Following the initial narrative, the character Sam Porter Bridges, played once again by Norman Reedus, continues his life in a world post-Death Stranding. This world was affected by supernatural entities called BTs (Beached Things) that emerged from the dead realm and caused devastating explosions upon contact with living beings. Additionally, a rain known as “timefall” accelerated aging and almost led to human extinction, forcing survivors into secluded sanctuaries for safety. However, Sam’s efforts in linking all of America to the Chiral Network prevented a disastrous human population decline.

After wrapping up all matters, Sam successfully safeguarded the baby labeled as “bridge baby” or BB, extracted her from her protective case, named her Lou, and decided to raise her in a secluded region of Northern Mexico. However, in an ironic twist, Sam encounters his coworker, Fragile (portrayed by Léa Seydoux), once more, who asks him to assist in linking Mexico with the Chiral Network, similar to how he connected the U.S. This action would create a space/time gateway to Australia. Initially reluctant, Sam eventually hands over Lou’s care to Fragile and embarks on this new mission. However, an unimaginable tragedy befalls him, leaving him in profound despair. Remarkably, he cannot die due to his unique status as a repatriate in this universe, which ensures resurrection after any form of demise. In the midst of his grief, Fragile pleads with him to venture with her across Australia and connect it to the Chiral Network. With no reason to stay in Mexico, Sam secures Lou’s pod to his suit and embarks on this cross-country journey through Australia.

Death Stranding 2: Tides of Connection

The foundation of Death Stranding 2, set on the beach, is a concept that strikes players powerfully from the outset, captivating them swiftly. Unlike its predecessor, which frequently wandered around Sam’s fear of interpersonal contact, this sequel offers an immediate and impactful reason to join Sam on his voyage, making you want to embark on the journey right away. Furthermore, it maintains a sense of companionship even during prolonged periods when Sam is alone. In contrast, the original game often left Sam isolated, as settlements only appeared to him in holograms and his few friendly interactions were limited to message boards, telecommunications, and recorded messages.

In Death Stranding 2, character Sam joins the DHV Magellan team, a mix of old and new companions who eventually form a supportive and nurturing group around him. Previous characters’ return adds a comforting touch to this dynamic, as a now more open and empathetic Sam has developed meaningful connections with those close to him. This transformation, from a socially awkward and distant figure in the initial game due to his phobia, is evident. It’s clear that despite his struggles, Sam is growing and healing, making for an inspiring narrative.

On the flip side, the adversaries spark a strong craving for a fitting retribution. However, there are two aspects I found problematic with the characters and plot development: firstly, one of the villains boasts grandiose threats but is defeated too effortlessly; secondly, an unexpected return of a familiar character happens at a dramatic moment but unfolds so melodramatically that it was jarring (which is unfortunate as the character’s comeback otherwise is intriguing). Lastly, be aware that if you’re not fond of Hideo Kojima’s lengthy explanations, they remain detailed in this game. However, one advantage of this is that you can swiftly skip through many cutscenes or transitions to focus on the action. This feature is useful for quickly moving past repetitive sections.

In my perspective as an ardent fan, Death Stranding 2 is adorned with a lively ribbon of captivating scenery and music. Much like its predecessor, it maintains the solitude characteristic of its expansive landscapes, yet the intricacy of the environmental design in the rugged mountains, barren wastelands, arid deserts, and ever-evolving skies of Mexico and Australia transforms them into mesmerizing ecosystems to immerse oneself in while traversing between tasks. The music of Woodkid and other artists beautifully embellish this beauty and the story’s impact with a delightful fusion of tracks that seamlessly fit within cutscenes, yet can also be effortlessly integrated into a personal playlist to accompany you on your journey through this world whenever the urge arises to hear them. At its core, it offers a robust soundtrack for an exceptional road-trip game. At its peak, it harmoniously underscores and amplifies a captivating narrative.

The Great Deliverer

Amidst the heartfelt storyline of Death Stranding 2, the gameplay continues to be about making deliveries and establishing connections. This time around, there are two expansive regions for you to link up. If you’ve played the initial game, you’ll have a good sense of what awaits you: You’ll receive a main task, then transport it to a specific location, which in turn will connect that location to the Chiral Network. This network enables you to construct structures and stockpile resources, as well as acquire such items from other players’ worlds. The core mechanics, including cargo, objectives, and indirect resource sharing with other players’ worlds, are all present, but they have been thoughtfully enhanced to also improve your interaction with the game’s environment.

The experience kicks off with fresh and captivating environmental interactions. In Death Stranding 2, it’s not just about navigating various landscapes; weather patterns unfold here, and the terrain can shift based on forecasts. For instance, I was once heading towards a river to cross it since it seemed shallow, but suddenly a storm hit, causing the water level to surge rapidly due to a flood. I nearly got swept away by the suddenness of the transformation. Additionally, meteor showers, avalanches, and earthquakes can occur unpredictably, forcing Sam to remain alert and adaptable in constantly changing conditions.

In Death Stranding 2, enhancements have been made to the equipment and progression system compared to the initial game. Each settlement you encounter has five tiers of connectivity, with even the lowest level allowing entry to the Chiral Network. As you accept main or side missions, transport lost cargo, and accomplish objectives, your connection level gradually increases. When you reach a new milestone, the settlement often rewards you with better or upgraded gear, as well as additional resources for construction and maintenance within that region. These rewards frequently offer something exciting to your overall arsenal. It’s delightful from the start to obtain firearms capable of handling BTs, but even some of the later unlocks are tempting. One of my favorite discoveries is a hoverboard resembling a coffin that can traverse both land and water. There’s so much valuable content in this game that it’s rare to find something I won’t use, making for diverse gameplay experiences.

In this game, BTs, human outlaws, and robots pose the three primary challenges for you. I’m delighted to share that the combat system has been enhanced significantly throughout. Unlike in the first game where I often found battles clumsy and avoided them whenever possible, Death Stranding 2 offers a more approachable experience with numerous strategies at your disposal. If you find yourself losing fights, I’d argue it’s more about your own choices rather than the game mechanics. Whether you prefer a loud or stealthy approach, brute force or tactical maneuvers, explosive attacks or precision strikes, as long as you choose the right weapon and use it wisely, success should be within reach.

In Death Stranding 2, the new tools have significantly enhanced the experience of exploration compared to the original game. However, there are certain aspects that I wish hadn’t been carried over from the first game. For instance, when you’re driving a vehicle and hit an almost invisible rock, it can be extremely frustrating as it brings your progress to a halt. What makes this worse is that these encounters can damage the cargo, reducing the rewards upon delivery. Additionally, Sam moves clumsily through both water and tar, which can make traveling difficult early in Death Stranding 2. Navigating challenging terrain at the start of the game can be quite frustrating.

In simpler terms, during the later stages of play, it seems that taking risks might lead to penalties. For instance, I’d frequently attempt to construct jump ramps and use a coffin board for jumps, but if I missed the mark, I’d slide off without the ramps activating their anti-gravity function, causing me to crash and potentially need to reload my save file more often than desired. Fortunately, there are numerous ways to adjust my strategy or a flexible save/load system, which keeps me from getting too frustrated. However, I do worry about what will happen if the game goes offline because losing access to other players’ structures and contributions makes it much harder to explore and advance in the game.

You are never alone

Death Stranding 2 may spark debate among players due to its extended playtime (I logged over 100 hours at a leisurely pace), and because while it addresses some of the concerns from the original, it doesn’t resolve all of them. The travel and delivery mechanics can still feel cumbersome at times, but with numerous customization options available, the only real obstacle is not experimenting with them. Kojima’s writing style remains verbose, and at times, the pacing seems misplaced, yet the powerful themes, captivating motivations, and climactic ending left me awestruck by the end of the story. If you are willing to embark on this journey, I strongly recommend seeing it through to the end. It’s a ride that is absolutely worth experiencing.

I wrote this review after receiving a PlayStation 5 copy from the game’s publisher. Death Stranding 2: On the Beach was launched on the PS5 on June 26, 2025.

Read More

2025-07-15 19:28