Death Stranding 2: On the Beach review – An outstanding work of art

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A star rating of 5 out of 5.

Generally, I prefer not to attribute video games to a single individual. Modern AAA games are usually the result of numerous contributors, possibly even thousands. While it’s tempting to assign credit to one prominent figure, doing so can unjustly diminish the efforts of all the other team members involved.

Despite my initial expectations, I’m easily getting drawn into the allure of Death Stranding 2. It’s a game that straddles the line between simplicity and complexity, making it unique in its own right. The influence of one creative mind on this project is so profound that it seems to demand a distinct label. A term like Orwellian, Kafkaesque, or simply Kojiman might aptly describe it.

Released in 2019, Death Stranding by Hideo Kojima can be seen as his commentary on the divisiveness of the mid-2010s – think Trump and Brexit, among others. Looking back now, however, it’s striking how much this game seems to foreshadow the isolation we experience during pandemics.

The narrative revolves around a solitary, frosty character who shuns physical contact, yet is compelled to bridge connections across America. In this process, he discovers the art of connecting with others on a deeper level.

The challenge with forming connections is that they eventually come to an end, in one form or another. This thought-provoking question posed by the game is: “Were connections worth it?

Death Stranding’s narrative revolves around the theme of connection, whereas Death Stranding 2 delves into themes of loss and mourning.

In Death Stranding’s narrative, the beach serves as a symbolic connection point, bridging the gap between our world and the realm of the afterlife.

After the occurrences of Death Stranding, Sam and Lou vanish. Later on, we catch up with them, having spent several months in a secluded area in rural Mexico.

As I, a dedicated gamer, found myself approached by Fragile, acting as the torchbearer for the legendary Drawbridge – the new incarnation of the dearly departed Bridges – she offered me an intriguing proposition. The task at hand: to pick up where I left off and establish connections this time, with Mexico and, above all else, Australia.

Similar to its precursor, Death Stranding 2 is a title that shines most when played without prior knowledge of the plot, hence my apologies for being rather vague in discussing details about the narrative.

Embarking on an epic journey, I find myself sailing aboard the DHV Magellan, my traveling abode, alongside a fresh crew of characters with a few trusted comrades from the past. With the towering Australian wilderness stretching before me, I brace myself for the challenge that lies ahead.

In simpler terms, the character resembling Alan Wake from the trailers, who is a miniature puppet named Dollman, accompanies Sam during his journeys. He’s attached to Sam’s belt and chats casually as they travel together.

Due to Sam developing a knack for interacting with others, the game’s narrative starts to become less about him individually.

Characters like Fragile, Tarman, and others, each with their unique struggles, seek solace aboard the DHV Magellan. The narrative of Death Stranding 2 isn’t just about Sam; it’s equally about these outcasts and their personal battles.

Or, in a slightly different way:

In Death Stranding 2, characters such as Fragile, Tarman, and others, who each bear individual hardships, find a home on the DHV Magellan. This game’s tale is not only Sam’s journey but also the story of these outcasts and their inner conflicts.

In the initial game, performers like Léa Seydoux, Troy Baker, and others who contributed their images to Kojima’s alter, are now accompanied by George Miller, Debra Wilson, and Elle Fanning.

There are many other unusual appearances to find, but none left me as stunned as Conan O’Brien donning an otter hat.

In a nod to the original game, the narrative unravels much the same way, with an initial setup that lays the groundwork for the intricate web of conspiracies that weave through its tale. (From a passionate fan’s perspective)

In some cases, these plot points are swiftly wrapped up. On the other hand, certain ones seem to get stuck in a figurative swamp, only resurfacing as problems 30 hours down the line.

In my opinion, while the narrative structure of Death Stranding 2 might resemble that of its predecessor, the tale it tells appears to be more complex and enigmatic.

Frequently, intriguing but puzzling plot twists arise, making the story engaging, yet sometimes perplexing.

In the initial few moments of my gaming adventure, I found myself owing my life to an immense, robotic samurai with an air of mystery – he was gone as swiftly as he appeared, much like Kojiman himself. It wasn’t until over 20 hours had ticked by that this mechanical ninja reappeared in my game world.

If you’ve caught a glimpse of the trailers, you might have figured out the main adversary in the game. However, I’ll continue to hint around the specifics for now.

I’d like to mention that the antagonist in this production is likely to deliver an outrageously entertaining, critically acclaimed performance.

Each time they appear in a cutscene, you can feel the vitality radiating. It’s contagious! In essence, these are the types of moments that make you exclaim aloud, “That’s awesome!” or something similar.

In a new twist of events, Neil, who bears a striking resemblance to Solid Snake, takes over the role previously held by Clifford Unger. Though the foundation of the narrative seems familiar, it quickly strays far from its original trajectory, transforming into an entirely unique tale as it progresses.

As I cross paths with Neil, I find myself swept up in grand, opulent scenes, hurtling from a carnival illuminated by cascading sparks to the icy abysses of submerged depths.

Or:

Whenever I meet Neil, it’s like being thrown headfirst into lavish tableaus, bouncing from a spark-drenched carnival to the frigid expanses beneath the ocean surface.

As a gamer, I find myself constantly caught in this rhythm: Grab an item, deliver it to the next town, hook it up to the Chiral Network – rinse and repeat!

From the very beginning, Sam, who has become a legend, is already fully prepared. There’s no need for him to learn or adjust, as he instantly receives all the necessary tech, weapons, and vehicles during his journey. By just a few hours into the game, you’re equipped just as well as you were late in the first game.

Indeed, there are fresh updates in store for you! Fresh BattleTech (BT) variants, challenging human adversaries, and intriguing ‘Chiral Creatures’ have been introduced to increase the excitement. On the other hand, user-friendly new technology offers welcome improvements to gameplay quality from the previous version.

In summary, there’s a significant increase in conflicts compared to before. It appears that these local gangs are receiving heavy weaponry from an unidentified source, which may necessitate stealthy operations reminiscent of Metal Gear Solid, for neutralizing them.

Clearing out these encampments could prove advantageous in the future. One such camp obstructs a slim valley connecting the two parts of the continent. Bypassing conflict, you’re compelled to traverse mountains, navigating along a treacherous ridge to the north.

In the first installment of Death Stranding, it was usually more advantageous to steer clear from conflicts. However, in the second game, confrontations seem inviting and even relatively straightforward, making one feel like they can charge into battle with guns ablaze.

At first glance, it seems like a contradiction to the core values that set Death Stranding apart, its uniqueness. However, in terms of themes, it fits perfectly well.

Each sudden head jerk and gunshot echoes a sense of release. Once composed Sam Bridges has been left shattered, struggling with mental instability and reacting aggressively towards a world that stripped him bare.

Although Kojima stated his intention for Death Stranding 2 to be more divisive, I discovered that its gameplay, at least in my experience, was noticeably simpler. It might be due to the fact that I just finished playing Death Stranding 1, but I’m not entirely convinced.

The latest update provides Sam with the ability to invest points into specific enhancements, either boosting his favored approach or compensating for areas where he may be lacking.

In Australia, there’s an abundance of resources at hand. I scarcely encountered a shortage when crafting new devices, constructing highways, zip lines, or the latest monorail systems. These monorails serve as links between settlements and mines, thereby supplying even more resources to the game.

As the story progresses, players encounter an arduous journey across all of Australia to deliver a solitary package. This task rewards those who invested effort in developing each region and constructing necessary facilities.

Instead of regretting the overlooked sections while hurrying through the game, I unexpectedly found joy in exploring them later on. This lengthy journey transformed into an intriguing challenge of finding the optimal path around various obstacles. Despite the discomfort of scraped feet along the way, reaching my destination felt like a victory, not a defeat.

Australia offers a stunning destination for exploration as well. In stark contrast to the predominantly uniform greenery and greyscales of DS1’s U.S., Australia presents an intricate mosaic of diverse ecosystems.

A journey traversing Australia from west to east highlights the country’s immense natural variety, as it meanders through sandy coastlines and marshlands, then ventures into the stark desert landscape before returning to recognizable, snow-dusted mountain ranges.

Immersion into life is captivating, especially with Death Stranding 2’s stunning visuals adding to the enchantment.

Visual aesthetics aren’t usually a key factor for me when it comes to games, yet the stunning quality of this game left me quite impressed.

Initially, it seems like the start is a real-life shot, but as time goes by, you realize that what appeared real was actually gameplay footage, cleverly disguised. I’ve watched the clip multiple times, still finding it hard to believe the amazing technical tricks Kojima Productions have managed here.

Once more, your journeys unfold to the harmonious backdrop of expertly chosen music. Artists like Woodkid and Caroline Polachek, among others, provide a sequence of well-timed musical cues that subtly enhance the tranquility of your adventure.

In simpler terms, “Death Stranding 2 is such an intriguing game that I could go on and on discussing it. If given the chance, this review could be more than double or even tripled in length.

This game is filled with so many intricate details that a thorough analysis could easily fill a research paper or thesis.

death stranding 1 and 2 might explore contrasting or even conflicting topics at times, yet they share a common thread: fundamentally, they are deeply rooted in the human experience.

In a bizarre, post-apocalyptic landscape that leans heavily on technology and control, I find myself strangely drawn to this narrative. It’s as if the creators have peeked into my thoughts and brought them to life on screen.

I can empathize deeply with Sam’s sorrow, as I’ve experienced a similar loss myself, just like he has, and it seems that Hideo Kojima does as well.

Last year, I tragically lost my dad. Over the past decade, game developer Kojima has also experienced the loss of both parents. Despite us being on opposite sides – me as a player and him as a creator – our perspectives on Death Stranding 2 might be influenced in comparable ways by these losses. This influence is likely to extend to many other players as well.

These connections, and the loss of these connections, are what make us human.

Instead of recounting a tale steeped in sorrow, this narrative unfolds as one of resilience against grief. It’s about getting back on your feet and maintaining bonds with others.

This isn’t a sad story; it is a journey that showcases triumph over sadness. A testament to standing tall once more, while forging connections with humanity.

Death Stranding is a remarkable masterpiece, offering profound insights into human nature, possibly crafted by the most visionary creator in gaming. It isn’t just Sam Bridge’s journey, but a universal narrative reflecting the experiences of every person who has ever lived, and an experience I will never forget.

“Should we have connected?” asks the game’s tagline. The simple answer is that we have no choice.

As a gamer, I sometimes wonder if there’s a virtual beach somewhere where my dad is patiently waiting for me in the gaming world. Maybe Kojima, the mastermind behind those epic games, has a similar thought about his parents. For now, our real-world missions keep us occupied, with plenty left to achieve on this earth before we find out what lies beyond.

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2025-06-23 15:35