REVIEW: Death Stranding 2: On the Beach

Hideo Kojima has long been known for making games that don’t always line up with expectations. He mixes the mental with the profound, and almost always divides opinion. Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is exactly that sort of sequel — a game that doubles down on everything that made the original so distinctive, for better and for worse. Released exclusively for the PS5, it brings back Sam Porter Bridges, Lou, and a whole cast of characters for a new chapter about human connection, the fragile nature of society, oh.. and lots and lots of walking.

While the original Death Stranding from 2019 was sometimes dismissed as a “walking simulator”, it also built up a passionate fan base who appreciated its slower pace, odd humour, and impressive presentation. This sequel smartly keeps what worked, smooths out a lot of the rough edges, and expands the world far beyond the rain-soaked American landscape of the first game.

It’s still very much a Kojima production: a mix of long-winded cutscenes, offbeat characters, deep world-building, and moments that range from moving to downright strange. If that sounds like your thing, you’re in for something special. If you bounced off the first game, you’re unlikely to be swayed now — but On the Beach at least tries harder to meet you halfway.

Story

The story picks up not long after the end of the first game. Sam Porter Bridges, once a wandering courier tasked with reconnecting the isolated cities of America, has settled down into a more peaceful life with Lou, the child who became the emotional core of the first story. Of course, that calm doesn’t last long. An early sequence pulls Sam back into the wider world when Fragile, a returning ally, appears with bad news: the world’s fragile state is deteriorating, the United Cities of America (UCA) has lost its grip, and people still need saving from the strange threats that spill over from the mysterious realm known as ‘The Beach’.

The plot this time expands far beyond the continental US. Sam’s new mission pushes him over the border into Mexico, and later into Australia. These new regions come with fresh characters, new settlements, and new, deeper questions about whether humanity should even be so connected in the first place. Themes of isolation, trust, loss and rebirth run through every interaction, much like the original — but the new cast injects a bit more humour and warmth along the way.

Kojima’s style means you’ll spend a good chunk of time watching rather than playing: lengthy cutscenes, long monologues, and symbolic dream sequences are here in abundance. If you’ve grown up on Metal Gear Solid, this won’t surprise you — it’s all part of the package. Luckily, a much-needed addition called the Corpus lets you look up terms, backstories and explanations at any time. It makes following along less confusing, even when the dialogue veers into sci-fi technobabble about chiral matter, BBs and BTs.

Thankfully, they’ve also included a little ‘tracker’ which pops up when you pause during a cutscene to show you how long is left (if you’re thinking of skipping it!)

Overall, the story is both more human and more surreal than before, and despite a few pacing dips, it leaves a lasting impression. Expect to feel lost occasionally — but also expect to care (more than you thought you would) about Sam, Lou and the people who help or hinder them along the way.

Gameplay

If you played Death Stranding, you’ll feel instantly at home. Fundamentally, On the Beach is still about delivering cargo across dangerous, unpredictable terrain. You plan routes, load up Sam’s back with packages, tools and supplies, then carefully pick your way across mountains, rivers, forests and now deserts. As before, the tension comes from the world itself: rain that ages everything it touches, sudden quakes that reshape the ground, and hostile creatures known as BTs that lurk unseen until it’s too late.

The good news is that traversal is much improved. Sam feels steadier on his feet, and tools like new stabilisers and stronger exoskeletons reduce the constant micro-managing of balance that could frustrate newcomers. Cargo management is still a big part of the overall experience, but the game does a better job of easing you into it and rewarding you for doing it well.

Combat has also been cleaned up. In the first game, fighting human enemies risked creating disastrous voidouts — literal craters in the map. This time, weapons are mostly non-lethal by design, so you can use tranquiliser rounds, rubber bullets and other gadgets without fear of accidentally wiping out a region. BT encounters are more exciting too, thanks to new weapons like the Blood Boomerang and more dramatic boss battles that break up the quieter stretches of hiking.

Another big highlight is the new ship, the DHV Magellan, which acts as a moving base of operations. This ship and its crew bring a nice sense of community that the first game sometimes lacked. You often return here between missions, upgrade your gear, and chat with colourful crew members — one is a talking puppet’s soul trapped in a doll’s body, because of course it is. It’s pure Kojima weirdness, but it adds warmth and charm.

Also returning is the Social Strand System, where your structures and roads can appear in other players’ games. It’s still one of the most clever online ideas out there: knowing a stranger left a bridge or ladder for you to use halfway through a dangerous crossing never stops feeling rewarding. There’s also a new system called APAS Enhancement which allows you to use skill points to enhance stats and obtain new abilities.

Visuals

Visually, Death Stranding 2 is nothing short of breathtaking. Built once again in Guerrilla Games’ Decima Engine, the environments are varied and highly detailed. You’ll cross misty forests, dusty plains, rocky canyons, storm-battered beaches and more, with each area feeling alive thanks to dynamic weather, realistic lighting and day-night cycles.

Cutscenes are especially impressive. Played on a PS5 Pro, the character models and facial animations often look photo-realistic, with tiny details like raindrops on Sam’s jacket or Lou’s expressions shining through. Big set-pieces are a visual treat too, with some sequences easily rivaling the spectacle of top Hollywood blockbusters.

This is a game that takes full advantage of the PS5’s power, and while performance is solid on the standard console, it truly shines on the more powerful Pro model.

Conclusion

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is a sequel that doesn’t shy away from its weirdness — and that’s exactly what makes it memorable. It’s more polished and approachable than its predecessor, with smarter design choices and a world that feels even richer and more unpredictable. The core loop remains unusual: it’s about the quiet satisfaction of a long, careful journey rather than constant action.

It won’t win over everyone. Some players will find its slow pace and dense lore off-putting, and the story can still feel bloated at times. But for fans of Kojima’s storytelling, thoughtful exploration and striking visuals, this is another bold statement that few other studios would dare to make.

Kojima Productions deserves credit for sticking to its vision. In an industry full of safe sequels and repetitive open worlds, Death Stranding 2 dares to be different — and whether you love it or not, you won’t forget it.

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach — Pricing & Availability

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach releases Thursday, 26th June 2025, exclusively for PlayStation 5. The Standard Edition starts at €79.99.