Death Stranding 2: On the Beach has officially launched, bringing players back to Hideo Kojima’s strange post-apocalyptic America with widespread critical acclaim. The PS5 exclusive is currently sitting at an impressive 88 on Metacritic, with some outlets even awarding perfect scores, a notably stronger reception than its divisive predecessor.
The sequel builds directly on what made the original stand out while addressing many of its criticisms. Players once again step into the boots of Sam Porter Bridges, continuing the journey of making deliveries across challenging landscapes, but with significant quality-of-life improvements. The game introduces enhanced mobility options, more varied tools and equipment, and an expanded focus on combat and infiltration missions.
“It’s Death Stranding through and through,” noted several critics, emphasizing that fans of the original will feel right at home. The core loop of strategic traversal and cargo management remains central, but the sequel streamlines mechanics that frustrated some players in the first game. Expanded zipline networks and improved road-building systems make the world more navigable, while the oft-criticized BT encounters have reportedly been tweaked but remain challenging.
The narrative picks up where the first game left off, further developing the story of Sam and Lou while exploring familiar themes of connection and isolation. Music continues to play a crucial atmospheric role, notably featuring posthumous tracks from Low Roar, whose lead singer Ryan Karazija passed away in 2022. New artists like Woodkid also contribute to the game’s distinctive soundtrack.
Select players gained 48-hour early access through digital editions, including the Collector’s Edition, though with strict streaming embargoes limiting what content creators could show. These restrictions, allowing streams only up to “Order No. 28 in Episode 7,” aim to preserve major story surprises for the wider player base.
For newcomers curious about jumping in, it’s worth noting that Death Stranding 2 builds heavily on the events and world of the original. The first game, released in 2019, initially received mixed reviews for its slow-paced “walking simulator” gameplay but gradually earned cult classic status for its atmospheric, original, and unique asynchronous multiplayer elements.
Still weird, still wonderful
Players can expect a substantial experience, with the main campaign estimated to run between 35–40 hours, potentially longer for completionists. While the game launched exclusively on PS5, a PC release will likely follow the pattern of the first game, arriving after a period of console exclusivity.
Despite some Italian outlets criticizing the narrative coherence, the overwhelming consensus suggests that Death Stranding 2 will succeed where it matters most—delivering a more refined and accessible version of Kojima’s unique vision without compromising what made the original special.
