Death Stranding 2: On the Beach Review – Kojima’s Triumphant Return

The original Death Stranding divided players with its unique delivery-focused gameplay and surreal narrative. Now, Hideo Kojima returns with Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, promising to build upon the foundation of the first game while addressing its shortcomings. As someone who found the original both fascinating and frustrating, I approached this sequel with cautious optimism. What I discovered was a game that not only improves on its predecessor in nearly every way but stands as one of Kojima’s finest works to date.

Death Stranding 2: At a Glance

A Journey of Connection and Healing

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach continues Sam Porter Bridges’ story several months after the events of the first game. Now living in isolation with Lou, who is no longer a BB but a toddler, Sam has retreated from the world he helped connect. When his old ally Fragile approaches him for one final job—connecting Mexico and Australia to the chiral network—Sam reluctantly agrees, setting in motion a journey that will challenge him in ways he never expected.

The narrative explores themes of grief, human connection, and the consequences of bringing people together in a fractured world. While the first game asked if we could reconnect America, the sequel questions whether we should have connected at all. This philosophical depth, combined with Kojima’s signature surreal imagery and unexpected plot twists, creates a story that’s both thought-provoking and emotionally resonant.

The cast delivers exceptional performances, with Norman Reedus bringing new emotional depth to Sam, while Léa Seydoux as Fragile and Troy Baker as the returning villain Higgs stand out particularly. New characters like Dollman (a talking mechanical companion) and mysterious figures with otherworldly abilities add to the game’s unique atmosphere.

While the dialogue can still be heavy on exposition and acronyms—a Kojima trademark—the story moves at a brisker pace than the original, with more action-packed sequences and emotional moments that give the narrative a satisfying rhythm. The cutscenes, though still lengthy, feel more purposeful and engaging.

Refined Gameplay That Respects Your Time

The core gameplay loop of Death Stranding 2 remains focused on delivering packages across a post-apocalyptic landscape, but Kojima Productions has made significant improvements that address many criticisms of the original. Movement feels more responsive, terrain navigation is less frustrating, and the game provides clearer guidance on optimal delivery routes.

Players are given a wealth of new tools and equipment at a steady pace, allowing for greater freedom in how they approach deliveries. From floating platforms that help carry heavy objects up steep mountains to improved vehicles that handle better on rough terrain, the game constantly rewards experimentation and creative problem-solving.

Combat has received the most substantial overhaul, feeling more like Metal Gear Solid than ever before. Players can approach enemy encounters with stealth, using new tools to distract and subdue opponents, or go in guns blazing with an expanded arsenal of weapons. Boss fights against both human enemies and the otherworldly BTs are challenging and memorable, requiring strategy and quick reflexes.

The Social Strand System returns and remains one of the game’s most innovative features. Players can build structures that appear in other players’ worlds, creating a sense of community and cooperation without direct interaction. Finding a well-placed bridge or charging station from another player during a difficult delivery creates a genuine feeling of gratitude and connection.

A Breathtaking Open World

Death Stranding 2 takes players across the diverse landscapes of Mexico and Australia, each region offering unique challenges and visual splendor. From arid deserts and lush oases to treacherous mountains and coastal regions, the environments are not just beautiful but dynamic and interactive.

New environmental hazards add excitement and unpredictability to traversal. Rivers can flood during heavy Timefall (the game’s aging rain), bushfires can spread rapidly across dry areas, and sandstorms can disorient players and throw Sam off balance. These elements, combined with the returning BTs and new Chiral Creatures that travel in packs, make exploration both thrilling and dangerous.

The DHV Magellan, a massive ship that serves as Sam’s base of operations, adds a new dimension to the game. This mobile hub allows players to interact with crew members, manage equipment, and fast-travel between connected regions. As you progress, the Magellan becomes more than just a functional space—it becomes a home filled with characters who form a makeshift family.

Visually, Death Stranding 2 is nothing short of spectacular. Running on an enhanced version of the Decima engine, the game features incredible draw distances, detailed character models, and atmospheric effects that create a sense of place unlike any other game. When combined with the perfectly curated soundtrack that kicks in during key moments of exploration, the result is truly magical.

Technical Performance and PS5 Features

Death Stranding 2 feels like one of the first games truly designed to take full advantage of the PlayStation 5’s capabilities. Load times are virtually non-existent, with seamless transitions between gameplay, cutscenes, and menus. The game maintains a rock-solid frame rate even during the most chaotic moments, with no texture pop-in or visual glitches to break immersion.

The DualSense controller integration is particularly impressive. The haptic feedback provides subtle tactile sensations for every surface Sam walks on, from rocky terrain to soft sand. Adaptive triggers offer resistance when balancing heavy loads or firing weapons, adding a physical dimension to the gameplay that enhances immersion.

3D audio creates a soundscape that helps players identify threats and navigate the environment. The direction of rainfall, approaching enemies, or distant BTs can all be precisely located through sound alone, adding another layer of strategy to exploration and stealth.

How Death Stranding 2 Improves on the Original

Final Verdict: A Masterful Sequel

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach takes everything that worked in the original and refines it while addressing nearly every criticism. The result is a game that’s more accessible without sacrificing the unique vision that made the first game so distinctive. The improved combat and movement mechanics make moment-to-moment gameplay more enjoyable, while the enhanced narrative pacing ensures the story remains engaging throughout its 25-30 hour runtime.

While some players may still find the mission structure repetitive and the dialogue occasionally overwrought, these issues are far less pronounced than in the original. The emotional core of the story, combined with the stunning visual presentation and innovative gameplay systems, creates an experience that’s both thought-provoking and genuinely fun to play.

For fans of the original Death Stranding, this sequel delivers everything you could hope for and more. For those who were intrigued by the concept but put off by the execution, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach offers a more refined and accessible entry point into Kojima’s unique vision. Either way, this is a journey worth taking—a rare sequel that not only improves on its predecessor but stands as one of the most distinctive and memorable gaming experiences of the year.

Game Specifications

More From Kojima Productions

Death Stranding: Director’s Cut

Experience the original journey with enhanced visuals, new content, and gameplay improvements.

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Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain

Kojima’s previous masterpiece, featuring open-world stealth action in a military setting.

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OD (Upcoming)

Kojima’s next project after Death Stranding 2, a horror game in collaboration with filmmaker Jordan Peele.

Follow Development

Keep On Keeping On

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach represents Hideo Kojima at his most confident and refined. By building upon the foundation of the original while addressing its shortcomings, Kojima Productions has created a sequel that respects players’ time while still delivering the unique, boundary-pushing experience fans expect. Whether you’re reconnecting the world for the first time or returning for another journey, this is one delivery worth making.