Death Stranding 2: On the Beach Review

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach

Release: June 26, 2025
Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment
Developer: Kojima Productions
Genre: Adventure, PS5 ReviewsSimulation
PEGI: 18
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When Death Stranding first launched in 2019, it was one of the most polarizing games of its generation. Some called it a walking simulator. Others saw it as a bold re-imagining of what games could be. But love it or hate it, Hideo Kojima’s vision was impossible to ignore. Now, nearly six years later, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach arrives not just as a sequel, but as a statement—a deeply personal, often surreal, and surprisingly emotional meditation on grief, legacy, and the fragile threads that bind us together.

This isn’t just a game. It’s a pilgrimage.

Set in a world still reeling from the metaphysical catastrophe known as the Death Stranding, the sequel picks up with Sam Porter Bridges—older, quieter, and more haunted than ever. He’s no longer the reluctant hero of the first game. He’s a father now, trying to raise Lou in a world that’s still learning how to live again.

But peace, as always, is fleeting.

When Fragile arrives with a new mission—one that could determine the fate of humanity’s future—Sam is pulled back into the fold. What follows is a journey that spans continents, from the sun-bleached ruins of the American Southwest to the eerie, rain-slicked coasts of Australia. Along the way, Sam encounters new allies, old ghosts, and a growing mystery that blurs the line between life and death, science and myth.

The writing is more focused this time. The pacing tighter. The emotional beats hit harder. Kojima’s signature weirdness is still here—yes, there are cryptic monologues, dreamlike sequences, and plenty of moments that will leave you scratching your head—but it all feels more grounded, more human. There’s a maturity to the storytelling that wasn’t fully present in the first game. It’s still strange, but it’s also sincere.

At first glance, Death Stranding 2 might appear to follow the same formula as its predecessor—long treks across desolate landscapes, cargo management, and asynchronous multiplayer. But beneath the surface, Kojima Productions has layered in a wealth of new mechanics that make this sequel feel richer, more responsive, and far more engaging moment-to-moment.

The act of walking—yes, walking—is still central to the experience, but it’s been dramatically improved. Sam now moves with more fluidity and realism, thanks to enhanced physics and terrain interaction. Slopes, mud, sand, and even wind resistance affect your balance and stamina. The DualSense controller brings this to life with subtle haptics that let you feel every shift in weight and terrain texture.

New traversal tools like the Strand Grapple (a retractable tether for climbing or rappelling), Tar Skimmer (a hoverboard-like device for crossing tar pits and smooth terrain), and Deployable Bridges allow for more creative and efficient route planning. These tools aren’t just conveniences—they’re essential for navigating the game’s increasingly hostile environments.

Cargo is no longer just something you carry—it’s something you manage, protect, and sometimes sacrifice. The sequel introduces modular cargo containers that can be customized for durability, stealth, or speed. You can now attach auxiliary gear like solar-powered chargers, decoy emitters, or even automated defense turrets.

Weight distribution remains a key mechanic, but it’s more forgiving and intuitive. The game offers real-time feedback on your loadout’s balance, and you can now shift weight dynamically while moving, allowing for more responsive control during climbs or sprints.

Combat in Death Stranding 2 is no longer a last resort—it’s a viable, often necessary part of survival. The game introduces a hybrid combat system that blends stealth, ranged weapons, and environmental manipulation. You can now use terrain to your advantage, setting traps or luring enemies into hazards.

BT encounters are more varied and terrifying. Some can now mimic human voices or create illusions, forcing you to rely on your scanner and instincts. Human enemies, particularly the new faction known as the “Shrouded,” use coordinated tactics, flanking maneuvers, and even psychological warfare to disrupt your mission.

Weapons and tools are crafted using a new Resource Fusion System, which lets you combine materials found in the world to create hybrid gear—like a bola gun that also emits a temporary EMP, or a stealth cloak that doubles as a parachute.

The world itself is a mechanic. The Environmental Hazard System dynamically alters terrain and weather in real time. A clear path might become a flooded ravine after a tarstorm. Acid rain can corrode your gear unless you find shelter or deploy a protective dome. These changes aren’t just visual effects—they’re gameplay mechanics that force you to adapt, improvise, and sometimes retreat.

You’ll also encounter Echo Zones, mysterious anomalies that distort time and space. These zones can reverse gravity, slow time, or even spawn hallucinations. Navigating them requires both caution and creativity, and they often hide valuable resources or story clues.

The asynchronous multiplayer system has evolved into Strand Sync, a deeper, more emotional form of connection. You still see structures and signs left by other players, but now you can also share weather data, enemy locations, and even emotional imprints—subtle visual cues that reflect another player’s fear, hope, or determination.

You can also form Strand Alliances, temporary bonds with other players that allow for shared construction projects, coordinated deliveries, and even indirect co-op missions. It’s a quiet, beautiful way to feel connected in a game that’s all about isolation.

On PS5, Death Stranding 2 is a visual marvel. The Quality Mode delivers native 4K visuals with ray-traced lighting and hyper-detailed textures, while Performance Mode offers a buttery-smooth 60fps at 1440p—ideal for traversal-heavy gameplay.

The environments are breathtaking. From the sun-scorched ruins of Baja California to the misty cliffs of Tasmania, every biome feels handcrafted and thematically rich. The use of lighting, particle effects, and real-time weather creates moments of sheer visual poetry.

Ludvig Forssell returns with a haunting, ambient score that perfectly complements the game’s tone. Licensed tracks from Low Roar, CHVRCHES, and new artists punctuate key narrative moments, often elevating them to cinematic heights.

Voice acting is uniformly excellent. Norman Reedus delivers a more nuanced performance as a weary, emotionally scarred Sam. Léa Seydoux, Troy Baker, and the newcomers all bring gravitas and subtlety to their roles.

One of the biggest criticisms of the original Death Stranding was its clunky UI and overwhelming tutorials. DS2 addresses this with a cleaner interface, better mission tracking, and contextual voice guidance that helps new players without breaking immersion.

The game also introduces Guided Mode for those who want to focus on the story, and Survival Mode for players who crave a challenge. Load times are nearly nonexistent thanks to the PS5’s SSD, and DualSense integration adds a tactile layer to every step, stumble, and storm.

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is not a game for everyone—and that’s okay. It’s slow. It’s strange. It asks you to be patient, to think, to feel. But for those willing to meet it on its own terms, it offers something rare: a truly original experience.

It’s a game about walking, yes. But more than that, it’s a game about moving forward. About carrying the weight of the past while still believing in the future. About the invisible strands that connect us all.

And in a world that often feels more fragmented than ever, that message feels more important than ever.

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