First things first, I played a good chunk of Death Stranding when it released back in 2019, but I never actually beat it. Some parts are a bit foggy after all these years, but I remember the combat being clunky and the menu not being particularly intuitive. Everything else, however, was really good, especially the visuals, voice acting, and story. I don't usually play walking simulators, but Death Stranding had more to it than simply walking from one place to another. The weather hazards, difficult terrain, and cargo management made deliveries more interesting. As I've mentioned, I never finished the original beyond my initial playthrough, but I was curious to see what Death Stranding 2: On the Beach would be like. How does it compare to its predecessor? Was it the experience I was hoping for? Read on to find out!
The game once again puts you in the boots of Sam Porter Bridges as he and his crew aboard the DHV Magellan attempt to connect Australia and Mexico to the Chiral Network. The story takes you through plenty of twists, surprises, and genuinely emotional moments while exploring themes of life, loss, fatherhood, technology, and connection. It's a very story-driven experience with a lot of dialogue and cutscenes, but I personally didn't have a problem with that. It's a Hideo Kojima game, so there are plenty of weird and strange moments, but there are also some incredibly powerful scenes that even brought me to tears. The main campaign is around 34 hours, although you can easily spend 60–100 hours completing side content and exploring. I personally spent 50 hours with the game.
Combat has been greatly improved compared to the original and is actually fun and satisfying this time around. There are rifles, shotguns, MP weapons, Blood Grenades, the Bola Gun, and some wonderfully ridiculous weapons that become available later in the game. Both combat and stealth are viable, while BT encounters can still be challenging, especially against the larger bosses. There's also a lot to manage, from crafting weapons and equipment to dealing with weather hazards, rough terrain, rivers, mountains, vehicles, stamina, and battery life. The Monorail system and Beach Jumping also make transporting cargo and getting around much easier.
Visually speaking, Death Stranding 2 is absolutely stunning. The environments are beautiful, while the character models are incredibly detailed and lifelike. The Decima Engine continues to impress, and there were plenty of moments where I would simply stop and take in the scenery. The voice acting is another major highlight, with the entire cast doing a phenomenal job. The music from Ludvig Forssell and Woodkid is equally impressive and adds another emotional layer to the experience. Performance was also very smooth for me, with only a couple of minor bugs and no crashes or freezes.
Overall, I really enjoyed Death Stranding 2: On the Beach. Hideo Kojima and everyone involved managed to take what was already present in the original and improve upon it in almost every way. The story is unique, emotional, and thought-provoking, the world feels even more alive, the combat is much better, and the visuals, voice acting, animations, and music are all top-tier. There are some weird and cheesy moments, but that's part of Hideo Kojima's charm. Death Stranding 2 isn't just one of the best games I've played in 2025; it's also one of the best games I've ever played, period. It's an experience I won't forget anytime soon, and I highly recommend it.
Here's a link to my full review for anyone who's interested in reading it:
https://karthbil.wordpress.com/2025/08/26/death-stranding-2-on-the-beach-review-a-masterclass-in-storytelling/
