Following years filled with anticipation and months of heightened excitement, Kojima Productions’ “Death Stranding 2: On the Beach” will be released on June 26th, exclusively for PlayStation 5. Those who have purchased the Digital Deluxe Edition will gain early access to the game, starting 48 hours prior. Despite differing opinions about the original’s characters, storyline, and setting, there’s no denying its exceptional visual quality. The fact that Kojima Productions managed to create such a visually stunning game on the PlayStation 4 is truly remarkable. Even after being released on PC and receiving an expanded “Director’s Cut”, the original version remains one of the most visually impressive games ever made.
As a gamer myself, I’ve got to say that Death Stranding 2: On the Beach isn’t just taking things up a notch – it’s leaping several levels higher! Just like its predecessor, it’s built using Guerrilla Games’ Decima Engine, but this time around, the developers have pulled out all the stops to create an experience that’s nothing short of spectacular. So, let’s delve into the visual differences between these two games and uncover what sets the sequel apart.
World Detail
Initially, the first game had players exploring just one nation, but it showcased distinct landscapes and weather conditions (excluding the fantastical locations or oil-soaked areas). The flora, fjords, waterfalls, and snow were particularly striking, and although “post-apocalyptic Iceland” humor persisted, it was undeniably a breathtaking journey. Unsurprisingly, Death Stranding 2 outshines the original in every aspect.
This time, the narrative unfolds in two primary settings – Mexico and Australia. Each location contributes uniquely to the storyline. Kojima Productions showcased the diverse landscapes even before release, but the differences have become even more apparent now, with variations in flora, fauna, water bodies, rock formations, minerals, and textures that add depth to the visuals.
If Death Stranding 2 doesn’t substantially enhance gameplay, it wouldn’t be worthwhile. However, it seems like the developers have paid special attention to the way the game is presented, giving players new and exciting routes to explore. They’ve incorporated more challenging terrains with varying elevations, but they’ve also focused heavily on verticality. If you were captivated by the original game’s rocky peaks and panoramic vistas filled with hidden nooks and mysteries, Death Stranding 2 promises an even grander, more realistic experience – one that includes realistic weather effects too!
Lighting
With Decima Engine at play, expectations were low regarding the use of ray-traced global illumination and shadows for the sequel. Nevertheless, the lighting system remains quite dynamic, seamlessly interacting with the new day/night cycle to depict the progression of time in a lifelike fashion. The incorporation of diverse skyboxes, distinct climate transformations, and a wide array of biomes emphasize the stunning visual appeal of the lighting. This is evident both outdoors, such as Sam’s hideout during the early hours or while fighting Neil in an extraordinary setting filled with sparklers and fireworks, and indoors as well.
Character Models
One significant enhancement that may not be immediately noticeable for those who haven’t played the original game is the character models in Death Stranding 2: On the Beach. The characters in the first game were already visually impressive, with attention to detail in areas like hair, skin, and clothing material. However, this sequel takes it a step further by enhancing every aspect, from more detailed skin textures that show off blemishes, wrinkles, and facial hair, to more realistic hair physics.
In the remake, the characters appear more intricately designed, with a particular focus on fabric details. What makes this even more impressive is the superior lighting, making everything seem more authentic and lifelike. This enhancement brings out the texture of materials like worn-out leather pouches or Dollman’s suit and hair, adding another layer of realism to the sequel.
Facial Animations
Kojima Productions has consistently been praised for their top-tier facial animations, and this carries over to Death Stranding 2: On the Beach. The cutscenes are where they truly shine, with enhanced eye quality and skin textures adding depth. These improvements really bring out the characters’ unique personalities, making Fragile appear even more enigmatic and Higgs seem even more unstable (given his clown-like makeup, this is no small feat). While the differences might not be immediately apparent without comparing to the original, when considering all the intricate expressions and the stunning realism without compromising quality, Death Stranding 2 truly stands out as a remarkable accomplishment.
Weather Effects
Compared to its predecessor, Death Stranding 2 boasts more impressive weather effects – quite unexpected, isn’t it? Don’t take this as a slight against the original, as its representation of Timefall and snowflakes was truly commendable, particularly in how they interacted with the surroundings. The sequel builds upon these aspects while introducing a variety of new weather occurrences, such as sandstorms that realistically coat characters, vehicles, and the environment with dust. Additionally, witnessing fires ignite, causing smoke to rise and spread, adds an element of realism. As trees collapse naturally under the influence of fire, it creates a truly captivating scene. The handling of fog and other volumetric elements is also remarkable, and when combined with lighting, they create a distinct atmosphere that still preserves the unique feel of Death Stranding.
Miscellaneous Details
If you’ve yet to witness any gameplay of
Conclusion
As if the current generation had reached its peak in graphical quality, along comes Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, exceeding expectations, particularly in the substantial leap it takes compared to the original game. From the lifelike character models and their emotive expressions to the diverse landscapes and meticulous detail; the seamless integration of time, weather, and ambiance with stunning lighting effects; and the intricate particle systems interacting with terrain deformation, it offers a visually breathtaking journey. What’s more, managing to pull all this off on the base PS5 at 60 frames per second is truly remarkable.
Despite the Decima Engine’s longstanding impression, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach manages to amaze with its realism, even without ray tracing technology. It may not be a flawlessly stunning visual spectacle, but for devoted fans of the original, the progression in visual style and art direction is a captivating draw, further solidifying Kojima Productions’ reputation as skilled artisans in their field.
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2025-06-25 18:12