Death Stranding 2: On The Beach returns to the strange and deliberate world created by Hideo Kojima. Developed by Kojima Productions and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment, it continues the story that began in Death Stranding. You play once again as Sam Porter Bridges, taking on delivery work, reconnecting isolated communities, and surviving a world that feels even more fractured than before. If you played the original, you’ll recognize the tone and structure right away. If you didn’t, this is not a beginner-friendly starting point.
The game blends open-world traversal, limited combat, and online features that link your journey with others. It moves at its own pace and rewards those willing to stick with it. The question is whether that pace and style still hold up in a second outing. Let’s dig into the details.
Death Stranding 2: On The Beach details
Platform(s): PlayStation 5
Developer(s): Kojima Productions
Publisher(s): Sony Interactive Entertainment
Genre: Action-adventure
Modes: Single-player
ESRB Rating: M (Mature 17+)
Walking toward something that matters
Death Stranding 2: On The Beach continues after the original’s ending, with Sam Porter Bridges stepping away from the spotlight to raise Lou. That quiet life doesn’t last. Fragile brings news of a bigger threat, and Sam is pulled back into another long journey. This time, he’s crossing Mexico and Australia, connecting new parts of the world through the Chiral Network.
The basic idea hasn’t changed. You’re still linking isolated communities, but things feel more unpredictable now. You get cryptic conversations, drawn-out cutscenes, and strange new characters with even stranger names. Somehow, it all clicks. The structure is familiar if you played the first game. You take on delivery jobs, visit prepper outposts, and try to understand what’s really happening. The early chapters move slowly, but the story builds over time. Later missions hit harder, and the final act feels like a true payoff.
There was a moment early on where I was just walking with Lou through a wide, empty stretch of land. No enemies, no pressure, just time to take it all in. It stuck with me more than most of the big action scenes. That calm break made everything else feel more personal. After that, the story wasn’t just about deliveries. It felt like something I actually cared about. Most of the returning cast is handled well. Fragile gets more screen time and a better arc. Dollman, a new companion, adds a bit of humour without going overboard. The world may be strange, but the characters bring a human touch that helps balance it all out.
More tools, smarter choices, better flow
At its core, the gameplay in Death Stranding 2: On The Beach still revolves around carrying packages across harsh terrain. What’s changed is how much better it feels. New gear gives you more ways to move, adapt, and recover from mistakes without making things too easy. Early on, movement is slow and awkward. You might fall over, get stuck in the mud, or panic when enemies show up. Once you unlock better gear like power gloves, you start to feel more in control. Your approach shifts as you focus more on the safest path rather than just the shortest one.
Combat plays a larger role this time. You can still sneak past threats or avoid conflict, but if things turn violent, you’re not out of options. Tranquilizers, decoys, and tighter melee controls make each encounter feel manageable. You are not a powerhouse, but you are far from helpless. The asynchronous online system returns and still works well. You’ll come across ladders, ziplines, and bridges left behind by other gamers. Some of them saved me a lot of time. You can leave your own structures behind too. It’s a small touch, but it creates a real sense of connection.
I had one delivery that almost made me quit. I was hauling fragile medical supplies through a mountain pass covered in snow and failed twice. On my third try, I launched the package across a valley using a cargo cannon, then hiked the long way around. It was risky, but it worked. Coming up with a plan on your own is what makes this system so satisfying. The game still expects patience, but the tools give you the freedom to experiment and find your own way forward.
Looks sharp and sounds clean without breaking new ground
Death Stranding 2: On The Beach looks great across the board. The environments are detailed, the lighting works well, and weather effects like rain and snow feel grounded. The Performance mode holds up throughout long travel sequences and combat, with smooth frame rates and fast load times. The cutscenes are what you would expect from a Kojima game. They are highly detailed, full of dramatic camera work, and long. Character models look polished, and facial animation holds up during close conversations. It’s impressive, but also familiar.
Visually, not much has changed since the first game. The landscapes look sharp, but some regions start to blend together after a while. A few more unique landmarks would have helped each area stand out more. The user interface also hasn’t seen many changes. It still uses cluttered menus and layered icons, but they’re manageable once you adjust. If you’ve played the first game, it won’t take long to adjust.
Audio design is one of the stronger parts of the package. The sound of crunching snow, falling rocks, and shifting cargo all feel natural. Voice acting is strong, with Norman Reedus keeping things grounded and Troy Baker bringing some chaos. The soundtrack blends ambient music and licensed tracks well. Some moments land nicely, though none hit quite as hard as the original’s best music cues.
It all feels polished and consistent, even if it doesn’t push things forward visually. If you liked how the first game looked and sounded, you’ll feel right at home here.
Death Stranding 2: On The Beach delivers more of what fans already love
Death Stranding 2: On The Beach doesn’t try to win over new fans. It doubles down on what the first game did, adding more gear, more combat options, and a larger world to explore. Some of those changes improve the experience. Others feel like small upgrades layered onto something that already worked.
The best parts are the ones that give you space to figure things out. There’s no hand holding, but there’s also no pressure to rush. You can take your time, mess up, rethink your plan, and come back stronger. That kind of gameplay won’t appeal to everyone, but if it clicks, it really works.
What surprised me most was how much I still enjoyed the quiet parts. Those slower moments gave me a reason to care about the outcome, even when the story leaned into chaos. That said, a lot of the game still feels safe. The menus, map, and interface feel mostly the same. And if the original didn’t do anything for you, this won’t change your mind.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Combat is more flexible with better melee, decoys, and non-lethal tools. | The opening hours are slow and take time to build momentum. |
| The story builds over time and delivers a strong final act. | Some menus, maps, and UI elements feel nearly unchanged from the first game. |
| Asynchronous online features still create a meaningful sense of connection. | If the first game didn’t click for you, this one likely won’t either. |
| Traversal feels smoother thanks to new gear like power gloves, which reduce sliding and boost agility. |
Overall assessment of Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
Gameplay: 4.5/5
Graphics: 4/5
Sound: 4.5/5
Lasting appeal/Replayability: 4/5
Overall rating: 4.3/5 (86%)
If you connected with Death Stranding, Death Stranding 2: On The Beach delivers more of what you liked. It builds on that foundation without losing what made it different in the first place. It’s not trying to be for everyone. That might be its biggest strength.
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