Hideo Kojima is back with Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, a sequel that picks up where the first left off and doesn’t waste time reminding you who made it. Developed by Kojima Productions and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment, it’s another cinematic, genre-defying journey filled with delivery missions, strange tech, and even stranger characters. If you played Death Stranding, you know what you’re getting into. If you didn’t, this isn’t the place to start.
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach still leans into isolation and cooperation, blending single-player story moments with online links to other gamers. It’s a slower, heavier kind of action game that keeps you thinking, even when nothing’s happening.
Let’s break down how it all holds up.
Strange Roads and Stranger Bonds
The story in Death Stranding 2: On the Beach picks up not long after the original’s ending. Sam Porter Bridges has stepped away from the spotlight to raise Lou, only to get pulled back into the chaos by Fragile. This time, the mission starts in Mexico and eventually moves to Australia. The core objective stays the same: reconnect isolated communities through the Chiral Network. But the path gets stranger the further you go.
There’s a familiar rhythm here. You visit prepper stations, get briefed on oddball deliveries, and slowly piece together what’s really going on. It’s all wrapped in classic Kojima weirdness with cryptic dialogue, dramatic cutscenes, and characters with names like Tarman and Dollman. Somehow, it all works.
If you played the first game, the pacing and structure will feel familiar. The early hours take their time getting going, but the emotional moments still hit when they need to. Later chapters get weirder and more chaotic, but that shift makes the story more memorable. Without spoiling anything, it’s safe to say the final act goes all in.
For me, it was the quiet moments that left the biggest impression. A calm hike with Lou early on hit harder than some of the big reveals. These small scenes gave the story some needed weight. It wasn’t just another mission. It felt like there was something worth saving.
Most of the cast is likable, even when they’re spouting nonsense. Fragile gets more time to shine. Sam’s new companion Dollman adds just enough humour without turning the whole thing into a joke. If you’re willing to ride the wave of Kojima’s storytelling, there’s a lot to enjoy here.
More Tools, Smarter Choices, Better Flow
Deliveries are still the core of Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, but everything around them has been tweaked or expanded. You’re still carrying packages across difficult terrain, but you now have more ways to handle obstacles. From power gloves to teleporters, new gear helps cut down on frustration without removing the challenge.
The tools you collect make a huge difference. Early on, things are rough. Later, you’re gliding across tar on a coffin-surfboard or fast-traveling between settlements in a mobile base. There’s a rhythm to deliveries now. Load up, plan your route, and adjust on the fly.
Combat has seen major upgrades. It’s still possible to sneak around or avoid fights, but now going loud feels viable. Stealth has more options, like decoys and tranquilizer pistols. Melee also feels more responsive, with better combos and parries. You don’t need to rely on combat, but when it happens, it works better.
I ran into a delivery that nearly broke me. I had to carry fragile medical supplies in the snow through a mountain pass. After two failed attempts, I used a cargo cannon to launch the package across a valley and took a safer route. It was risky, but it worked.That blend of strategy and quick thinking is what kept things interesting.
The asynchronous multiplayer is still here. You’ll see structures and tools left behind by others, which can completely change your route. You can also leave things behind to help others. It’s subtle, but it builds a sense of connection.
It’s Beautiful But You’ve Been Here Before
Visually, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach looks sharp. Environments are detailed, weather effects are well done, and cutscenes look great. It runs well in Performance mode, with no major frame rate drops during travel or combat. Load times are short, fast travel is nearly instant, and I didn’t run into any bugs.
That said, not much has changed visually since the first game. The character models, animations, and UI feel mostly recycled. The landscapes look good, but they start to blend together over time. Without a map label, it’s hard to tell if you’re in Mexico or Australia. A few ruined landmarks could’ve helped ground the setting.
Audio design is strong. The sound of rain, crunching snow, and collapsing rocks feels clear and grounded. Voice acting is solid across the board. Troy Baker brings chaotic energy, and Norman Reedus keeps things grounded. The soundtrack includes original tracks and licensed music, though nothing hits quite like the first game’s use of Low Roar.
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach Is Bizarre, Familiar, and Worth the Trip
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach builds on the original without changing much of the formula. The story goes to wild places, the gameplay opens up with smarter tools, and the presentation still holds up. It’s bigger, weirder, and more flexible, but also more familiar than expected.
Gameplay is better. Combat and stealth feel more refined. Deliveries are smoother. Gear options let you solve problems your way. But that same foundation also means things sometimes feel too safe. Parts of the game repeat ideas from the first one without adding much to them. That makes the early hours slower than they should be.
The ending pays off. There’s a stretch near the end that feels like the game’s true turning point. That’s when it stops repeating and starts surprising again.
If you connected with the first game, this is an easy recommendation. If you didn’t, or never played it, this probably isn’t the place to start. Without a doubt, Death Stranding 2 is one of the most unique games you’ll play all year.
Death Stranding 2: On The Beach
Summary
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach sticks close to the original’s formula, but tightens up the gameplay and expands your tools. The story leans into Kojima’s usual weirdness, with standout characters and a final act that delivers. It’s familiar in many ways, but still offers something different from anything else this year.
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