Death Stranding 2: On the Beach Review – A Bigger, Better Sequel

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2019’s “Death Stranding” stood out as an exceptional release for me, being the debut game from auteur Hideo Kojima and his team at Kojima Productions following their independence from Konami. Unlike anything else in the AAA games market, it offered a unique blend of open-world exploration with a gameplay loop that deviated significantly from traditional expectations, introducing some thought-provoking new concepts. While it certainly divided opinions, for those who connected with it, it was an unforgettable journey.

Moving forward, we have the eagerly anticipated sequel titled “Death Stranding 2: On the Beach“. This follow-up aims to rekindle the enchanting charm of its predecessor while bolstering it with fresh gameplay concepts and Kojima’s signature style of excessively entertaining, offbeat storytelling. In numerous aspects, “Death Stranding 2” delivers as promised, maintaining a sense of familiarity but also introducing significant enhancements and adjustments that transform the game into a more intricate, multi-layered, and polished adventure.

In typical Kojima style, the game is adorned with an extensive ensemble of characters, each unique and intriguing, sporting peculiar traits and captivating histories.

The sequel’s improvements in diversity, rhythm, and player control might persuade some players who weren’t fond of the first game to give it another try. It’s possible that a significant number of individuals could become interested in playing again due to these enhancements. The sequel refines the fundamental mechanics while addressing the contentious aspects of the original’s delivery-focused playstyle, maintaining its unique character without sacrificing its core essence.

Titled “Death Stranding 2”, the sequel finds Sam and former Bridge Baby Lou concealing themselves from the UCA (among others) a few months after the original game’s events. Following an encounter with Fragile, Sam is once again drawn into a journey that includes numerous deliveries and the quest to reconnect the fragmented world. Players typically approach Hideo Kojima games with particular storytelling expectations, and “Death Stranding 2” unquestionably maintains its distinctively quirky narrative style.

It’s clear that such a style may not appeal to everyone, yet Kojima consistently provides immersive storytelling, stunning visuals, and intriguing characters for those who appreciate his unique approach – a category I myself fall into. Granted, Death Stranding 2 can sometimes veer towards the absurd, even becoming tonally disjointed at times. However, much like its precursor, this quirkiness adds to its allure in certain aspects.

In typical Kojima style, the game features an extensive ensemble of distinctive characters, each with intriguing idiosyncrasies and histories, portrayed by well-known celebrities who deliver captivating performances. These actors breathe life into the script and their respective roles through unique dialogues, peculiar mannerisms, or understated emotional cues, lending an air of theatricality that is uniquely associated with Kojima’s productions.

“Mexico and Australia also feel more densely populated with things to see and do.”

Sam’s journey now leads him to uncharted territories. With the United Cities Alliance (UCA) reemerging as a new nation amidst a world on the brink of collapse, Sam’s newest adventures take him to Mexico and Australia. This not only advances the storyline but also introduces fresh landscapes for players to traverse. The open world in Death Stranding 2 appears significantly improved compared to the first game, not just due to a broader variety of settings, but also thanks to a more refined and assured design that maximizes the core traversal mechanics with greater finesse.

Mexico and Australia seem equally abundant with sights to explore and activities to engage in, just like Death Stranding’s settings. However, remember that this game is set primarily in breathtaking natural landscapes, with minimal human presence. The challenge lies in navigating the environmental hurdles, such as swift-flowing rivers, dense forests, treacherous mountain paths, harsh deserts, and other obstacles.

Moreover, it’s worth noting that the game emphasizes combat and stealth elements, providing additional playstyles for those interested. Consequently, this leads to fresh activities and open-world features not heavily featured or even present in the original game.

In Death Stranding 2, you’ll frequently encounter zones guarded by bandits or enemy camps. Whether you decide to engage in battle, sneak past unnoticed, or find an alternative route that skips both stealth and combat is entirely up to you. Despite not being primarily a stealth or combat game, these aspects play a more significant role as additional elements enhancing the core traversal-based challenges and delivery missions.

In addition, Death Stranding 2 showcases significant enhancements in its exploration and movement mechanics within the gaming experience.

For me personally, I’ve found a great deal of pleasure in the enhanced stealth features of this game. Given that its creator is renowned for crafting the stealth mechanics in Metal Gear Solid, it’s no wonder that Death Stranding 2’s stealth seems to strike an ideal balance between difficulty and giving players a sense of control.

As a gamer, I’ve come across moments where enemies and sneaky situations give me quite the run for my money. Yet, the game cleverly offers various solutions to tackle these hurdles, making it thrilling to discover the best way to move stealthily without getting caught. The combat, on the other hand, while undeniably smoother and more responsive compared to the previous installment, doesn’t quite grab me like the stealth elements do. It’s a fun ride nonetheless!

Moving on to the main point, Death Stranding 2 has some impressive upgrades in terms of movement and exploration within the game. For example, the latest features include earthquakes, sandstorms, avalanches, wildfires, and other natural disasters that add diversity to the gameplay experience. Each event presents distinct challenges and exciting hurdles to surmount.

In addition, Death Stranding 2’s open world exhibits a dynamic organic rhythm due to a day-night cycle. This enhances the gameplay and design, offering a richer and more immersive experience. The changing lighting and environment subtly impact the way players navigate and strategize, preventing traversal from becoming repetitive. This intelligent update adds depth without being overwhelming, creating a world that feels responsive and alive.

In Death Stranding 2, the array of weapons, gear, and vehicles at your disposal for navigating the open world has grown significantly, with a greater emphasis on vehicles this time around compared to the original game. This expansion gives players more choices, enabling them to select their preferred method based on distinct features and design elements. The result is that movement and exploration in Death Stranding 2 feel more diverse and engaging mechanically than they did in the first installment. Additionally, the Social Strand System, an asynchronous multiplayer feature that allows players to collaborate to ease world navigation, returns in Death Stranding 2. This system enhances gameplay much like it did in the original, which is a major plus for the game.

In a fresh and intelligent approach, “Death Stranding 2: On the Beach” expands upon the distinctive base of its predecessor with conviction and wisdom.

In simpler terms, “Death Stranding 2” boasts a visually stunning world filled with beautiful landscapes, detailed character models, and animations. It runs smoothly, and its soundtrack is exceptional, featuring a variety of great songs – both original compositions and licensed tracks.

As a dedicated gamer, I’m super excited about Death Stranding 2: On the Beach. This sequel takes the innovative base of its predecessor and expands upon it with smart confidence, offering a more diverse, immersive, and mechanically intriguing gameplay experience than ever before.

In a storytelling sense, Death Stranding 2 seems to have many thought-provoking points, albeit with moments that might feel overly dramatic or awkward at times – a trait commonly found in Hideo Kojima’s games. It’s likely that the upcoming game will continue to elicit varied reactions, although perhaps not as intensely polarizing as its predecessor, given it builds upon and enhances the Death Stranding universe.

This game was reviewed on the PlayStation 5.

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2025-06-23 15:12