The first Death Stranding was undoubtedly a clear divider among critics and players upon its release. Its unique gameplay loop and often esoteric narrative left many bewildered, even as others lauded its groundbreaking vision. Following up on such a polarizing title is no easy feat, but Death Stranding 2: On The Beach not only manages to fix most of its predecessor’s perceived problems, but it elevates the core experience into something truly magical. It feels as though a careful hand has guided the esteemed Hideo Kojima, ensuring that while his singular vision remains gloriously intact, it is now more accessible, refined, and utterly captivating. Death Stranding 2 builds upon its foundational ideas and then, through meticulous iteration, creates an experience that is nothing short of phenomenal.
Recap of Death Stranding
To truly appreciate the sequel, it helps to recall the world of the first Death Stranding. In that initial journey, players stepped into the boots of Sam Porter Bridges (Norman Reedus), a legendary porter tasked with reconnecting the fractured United Cities of America after the cataclysmic “Death Stranding” event. This phenomenon blurred the lines between the living and the dead, unleashing invisible, ghostly entities known as BTs and causing catastrophic “voidouts.” Sam’s mission was to brave this desolate landscape, delivering vital cargo, establishing connections, and literally building bridges, both physical and metaphorical, across a ravaged continent. It was a game about isolation, connection, and the immense burden of carrying hope.
A Brave New World
Death Stranding 2: On The Beach picks up years after the first game, finding the world still grappling with the ramifications of the Stranding, but now facing new, mysterious threats and a renewed drive for connection. Sam’s new journey propels him far beyond the familiar American plains, taking us to the vibrant, yet perilous, landscapes of Mexico and Australia. This geographical shift is a stroke of genius, immediately addressing one of the recurring criticisms of the first game’s often homogenous environment. Here, the environments genuinely fit the countries they represent; we traverse the sun-baked deserts and lush, ancient jungles of Mexico, then venture into the sprawling, unique ecosystems of the Australian outback. The sheer variety and topographical fidelity are breathtaking, offering a constant visual feast that makes every delivery feel like a genuine expedition into the unknown.
A Story You Can Follow
The narrative in Death Stranding 2 feels remarkably clearer this time around. While it retains that signature Kojima mystery, replete with philosophical musings and enigmatic characters, most of the core plot points can be grasped during a single playthrough. This isn’t to say it’s simplistic; far from it. There are still layers of symbolism, allegories, and tantalizing questions that will fuel intense discussions among players for years, but the main thrust of Sam’s new mission, the new organizations, and the escalating threats are wonderfully elucidated. Side stories, too, have seen an improvement. While some still lean towards the classic “fetch quest” archetype, there is a range from genuinely interesting character vignettes to compelling narratives that deepen the lore, ensuring that the overall package feels rich and rewarding.
Dialogue in Death Stranding 2, like many of Kojima’s works, is a mixed bag, but one with far more gold than dross. The major, longer cutscenes are often well written, brimming with fascinating exposition, poignant character moments, and the kind of high-minded philosophical discussions fans have come to expect. These moments are where the game truly shines, delivering impactful emotional beats and critical lore drops. However, when it comes to the smaller, more mundane interactions – accepting or turning in a package, for instance – the dialogue can occasionally feel generic and perfunctory. Honestly, I often wished they simply skipped these brief, less inspired exchanges entirely, allowing the core gameplay and cinematic moments to speak for themselves.
Speaking of cutscenes, one of the most significant and welcome changes from the first game is the pacing of these cinematic sequences. The infamous hour-long cutscenes of the past are largely gone. Someone, it seems, judiciously advised Kojima that while his cinematic flair is essential, players also want to play the game. Instead, we are treated to shorter, yet more numerous, scenes. In some instances, it’s clear that what might have once been a monolithic sequence has been thoughtfully split into two or three pieces, punctuated by brief but meaningful gameplay segments. This ingenious editing keeps the narrative momentum flowing without ever feeling like an endless movie, striking a perfect balance between story and interactivity.
A fun delivery game
At its heart, Death Stranding 2 remains a delivery game, much like its predecessor, but it’s one that has been made undeniably, incredibly fun this time around. The core loop of traversing challenging terrain with precious cargo is still present, but it’s been refined and expanded in ways that offer unprecedented player agency. You now have a vastly greater number of choices when it comes to lugging your pack around. Vehicles are introduced remarkably early in the game, and in far more accessible forms, making the long, arduous walks and the constant, precarious balancing act of the past largely a chore of the past. The freedom to choose your method of transport, from advanced delivery bots vehicles and even new traversal tools, is empowering.
Furthermore, a genuinely good weapon is provided almost at the start, making fighting enemies a viable and often exhilarating choice. While I personally found sneaking and expertly navigating past enemy encounters to be a more cerebral and equally rewarding experience, the beauty of Death Stranding 2 lies in its commitment to player choice. You can genuinely play this game in a myriad of ways: prioritize speed, maximize cargo, engage in combat, or embrace stealth. This multi-faceted approach to gameplay is a core pillar that ensures every player can tailor the experience to their preferred style, making each journey feel uniquely their own.
Adaptable Skip Button Should be Industry Standard
One of Death Stranding 2‘s truly phenomenal features, and one I desperately hope becomes an industry standard, is the adaptable cutscene skip button. A simple hold of the X button allows you to skip all cutscenes. If it’s a recurring, less critical scene – like Sam showering or gearing up – a short press is all it takes. But if you initiate skipping during a more important, narrative-heavy sequence, the game intelligently requires you to hold the button down for a much longer duration. This subtle yet brilliant design choice is a gentle nudge, a respectful suggestion that “you really should watch this one.” This feature, combined with the incredibly robust options menu – where you can customize what to focus on in gameplay, even removing the need to stabilize Sam when walking with a big backpack – exemplifies a rare dedication to player comfort and choice. It’s a masterclass in user experience design.
Music and Vistas to Love
Audiovisually, Death Stranding 2 is nothing short of a masterpiece. The environments are, by far, the most breathtakingly beautiful and intricately detailed I have ever witnessed in a video game, period. I genuinely lost count of how many times I simply stopped my journey, put down my controller, and lost myself in the panoramic views, feeling utterly amazed by the sheer scale and fidelity of the world. The lighting, weather effects, and attention to topographical detail are unparalleled, creating a truly immersive and believable, yet fantastical, landscape.
One of the real stars of Death Stranding 2 is its absolutely sublime soundtrack. From the majestic, sweeping orchestral pieces that enchant and amplify already emotional cutscenes to the perfectly curated licensed songs that seamlessly swell and pop up when reaching the end of a long, arduous journey between shelters, the audio design is impeccable. These musical moments often provide a complete zen-like experience, offering a profound sense of accomplishment and peace after overcoming the challenges of the wild. It’s a soundtrack that doesn’t just accompany the game; it elevates it to an art form, deeply embedding itself into the player’s emotional journey.
Conclusion
Death Stranding 2: On The Beach is not merely a sequel; it is a profound refinement and almost perfect realization of the ambitious ideas put forward in the first game. Every single complaint that the original received seems to have been meticulously addressed, yet without ever compromising Kojima’s unique artistic vision. It remains, at its core, a game about connecting – connecting people, connecting places, and most profoundly, connecting with the player on a deep, experiential level. When I finally finished the game, I didn’t just feel like I had completed a video game; I truly felt like I had embarked on a very long, arduous, yet ultimately incredibly rewarding journey myself. Now, I need some rest, before I excitedly call my family and friends to tell them all about my incredible travels across Mexico and the Australian outback. This isn’t just a game; it’s an unforgettable odyssey.
Leave a Reply