Death Stranding 2: On the Beach Review – Five Star Service

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach Review

After delivering one of the most divisive games in 2019’s Death Stranding, Hideo Kojima and Kojima Productions are back with a follow-up that delivers in nearly every conceivable way. Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is a masterclass in building upon a foundation. From top to bottom, Death Stranding 2 improves upon its predecessor and will leave fans of the original utterly over the moon. Does it do enough to sway naysayers of Death Stranding? Probably not. However, it would have been a far greater misstep to cater to people who didn’t like Death Stranding, rather than expanding upon the weird, wacky, and heartbreakingly serene world that fans have come to adore.

Set eleven months after the events of Death Stranding, Death Stranding 2 begins on the outskirts of Mexico. Sam and Lou have disappeared into the rocky, unforgiving depths of a Southern environment unlike anything seen in their previous adventure. It’s not long before Sam is once again tasked with connecting prepper stations to the Chiral Network and sets forth on a mission that is both melancholic and macabre in ways Death Stranding wasn’t. Seriously. At times, it’s incredibly gut-wrenching. Hideo Kojima’s signature humor is naturally present throughout Death Stranding 2’s runtime, but make no mistake, the moments that hit the hardest far surpass the emotional highs and lows of the original.

Foundational Approach

As mentioned, Death Stranding 2 consistently builds upon the groundwork Kojima Productions laid in 2019. There’s a ton of stuff that’s been improved, but most strikingly, it’s world. Death Stranding 2 is an unbelievably stunning game to look at. At times, environments look nearly photo-realistic. Full day and night cycles add a dynamic level of realism that wasn’t present in the first game. Whether the sun is beating down on Sam or the moonlight is illuminating a path to sneak through, Death Stranding 2 is a breathtaking, visual behemoth that has no equal. It’s the best-looking game I’ve ever seen, setting a new bar for graphical prowess that will be tough to surpass.

Unique, visually jaw-dropping weather events and conditions, such as sandstorms, forest fires, and earthquakes (known as gate quakes), did a wonderful job of keeping me on my toes during moments that would otherwise be considered downtime. One issue I had with Death Stranding was that, other than the times players are confronted with BTs or Mules/Bandits, it felt incredibly non-threatening. I always knew if I could get away from physical enemies, I’d be rockin’ and rollin’. Death Stranding 2 flips this notion on its head. Players now have to compete against the environment more than ever, making Death Stranding 2 infinitely more engaging.

Quality of Life

Speaking of engaging, fans of the series will be delighted to discover a vast array of quality-of-life improvements that enhance every aspect of Death Stranding 2’s moment-to-moment gameplay. The map has been completely reworked, allowing players to zoom in and out, as well as enjoy improved rotation options. This makes plotting routes far more enjoyable, as you can now easily understand different levels of elevation in the environment and plan accordingly.

Cargo management is also vastly superior. Death Stranding often made it a chore to adjust your cargo. Death Stranding 2 completely eliminates this problem. By holding up on the d-pad, players are given several options, including auto-arranging and offloading their entire backpack. Cargo is also kept neatly organized as opposed to devolving into page after page of items to scroll through. No longer will you see things like ladders, rope anchors, or container sprays peppered throughout your inventory. Now, each category of item (structural, weapons, etc.) is given a dedicated space on an easily accessible wheel. It may seem like a small change, but it’s a significant improvement that ensures players will spend less time navigating menus and more time making deliveries.

Streamlined Experience

Even tasks like fabricating items, recycling unwanted cargo, and reading messages have all been streamlined to ensure that the majority of Death Stranding 2’s systems are utilized efficiently. Death Stranding was often bogged down and confusing in its presentation, but the sequel alleviates every one of these issues. Returning players will revel in how much easier Death Stranding 2 is to operate as a whole, while newcomers aren’t going to feel overwhelmed by a convoluted menu system that plagued the original.

Surprisingly, a skill tree dubbed “APAS enhancements” has also been added to offer build archetypes. It’s chock-full of useful abilities, including improved scan range, extended battery life, social strand contract improvements, and higher accuracy. Those are the mere tip of the iceberg, and it’s been a blast to experiment with different character builds. It’s also greatly appreciated that you can reallocate your points at any time. As such, I never regretted choosing something that didn’t suit my play style in the long run. This also makes solidifying relationships with Preppers more vital, and in turn, lends importance and motivation to completing as many deliveries as possible.

The Good Stuff

Death Stranding 2’s core, however, remains the Death Stranding experience that fans know and love. Kojima has gone on record to say that even he was surprised at how much Death Stranding 2 feels like Metal Gear. Stealth sections are indeed more plentiful, and a new arsenal of weapons provides a better tactical espionage experience. However, this is still a game about making deliveries, building connections, and navigating the challenges of isolation and loneliness. If you were a fan of the original, you’re going to love Death Stranding 2. If you hated it, I’m not convinced that enough has changed for you to see the series in a new light.

Deliveries are as plentiful as ever, and much of your time will be spent managing heavy loads over rough terrain while trying to maintain your balance. That being said, when it’s time to get your hands dirty, combat and enemy encounters are a lot more fun this time around. I’d often go out of my way to avoid enemies in the first game. Death Stranding 2 does such a superb job in its action sequences that I now find myself actively seeking out fights. Combat feels heavier and more deliberate. Gunshots land with resounding thuds, and hand-to-hand brawls feel visceral and responsive. It’s incredibly satisfying to both sneak through enemy territory and go in guns blazing. I appreciate Kojima and his team catering to both playstyles when approaching each situation.

What’s On Your Playlist?

If there’s one area of Death Stranding 2 that failed to surpass its predecessor, it’s the music. Don’t get me wrong – there’s still a lot of good stuff you’ll hear throughout your journey. It’s just that Woodkid and accompanying artists never quite land the emotional gutpunch that Low Roar did. Of course, this is all subjective, and surely there will be plenty of people who disagree with me. But I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that the soundtrack didn’t quite capture the essence of what made Death Stranding’s so beautiful. At least we (finally!) get a portable music player.

Music aside, I’d be lying if I said I went into Death Stranding 2 expecting it to surpass Death Stranding so decisively. To my surprise, it thoroughly eclipses nearly everything that came before it. It’s a monumental upgrade that makes it incredibly difficult to go back to the original.

Final Thoughts

Death Stranding 2 is a massive achievement for Hideo Kojima and Kojima Productions. It elevates nearly everything that made the original such a unique experience. It streamlines the majority of its systems to make them more palatable. It’s drop-dead gorgeous and introduces enough new mechanics to feel fresh while never alienating what makes the franchise so special. Death Stranding 2 is undoubtedly one of the best games of the year, and well worth the agonizing six-year wait. This is a game that will be in my rotation for hundreds of more hours. From start to finish, it blew me away. Keep on keeping on.

***A PS5 code was provided for this review***

Thank you for keeping it locked on COGconnected.

• For amazing videos, head over to our YouTube page HERE.
• Follow us on Twitter HERE.
• Our Facebook page HERE.
• Our Instagram page HERE.
• Listen to our podcast on Spotify or anywhere you listen to podcasts.
• If you are a fan of cosplay, check out more of our cosplay features HERE.