Hideo Kojima is back with Death Stranding 2: On The Beach, and yes — it’s every bit as weird, poetic, and ambitious as you’d expect. While the first game polarized players with its slow-burn “walking simulator” vibe, the sequel leans fully into what made it special, while also refining its systems, deepening its lore, and somehow getting even stranger. It’s not for everyone — but if you’re on its wavelength, prepare for an unforgettable trip.
A World Worth Treading Again
Returning to a shattered America (and beyond), Death Stranding 2 takes place years after the events of the original. The world is still fractured by the Death Stranding phenomenon, but Sam Porter Bridges — played once again by Norman Reedus — is pulled back into the chaos for one more impossible delivery. Only this time, the stakes are interdimensional.
The environments are hauntingly gorgeous. Deserts, frozen tundras, drowned ruins, and surreal dreamscapes stretch out in every direction. Kojima Productions has pushed Decima Engine to new heights — rain-slick cliffs, gushing waves, and sun-dappled forests look almost photoreal. And when the BTs show up? It’s nightmarish, ethereal terror at its finest.
Gameplay: Still Walking, But with Purpose
Let’s get this out of the way: yes, you’re still walking. A lot. But On The Beach makes traversal feel more engaging and purposeful than before. Tools like the reworked zipline networks, aquatic hover platforms, and new exosuits add verticality and speed. There’s also a deeper weather system, meaning planning a route is often a matter of survival.
Deliveries are more dynamic now, too. Whether you’re carrying vital organs to remote camps or towing mysterious cargo across unstable terrain, each mission feels tense and meaningful. The sequel also introduces cooperative convoy missions — think high-stakes group deliveries that require real-time coordination between online players.
And combat? It’s improved. Melee is weightier, stealth is more forgiving, and the new “Chiral Blade” introduces a wild new layer to BT encounters. That said, don’t expect this to turn into a Metal Gear-style action game — it’s still more about evasion and atmosphere than shootouts.
Systems That Stick With You
Where Kojima continues to shine is in his ability to make game mechanics feel like philosophical statements. Your connections with NPCs and players still matter, and the social strand system — where you build infrastructure and leave tools for others — has evolved beautifully. Seeing your bridge used by another real player hours later still hits different.
There’s also a new companion system. At one point, you team up with a synthetic assistant named Fragile Echo (yes, named after Léa Seydoux’s character). It’s part drone, part emotional support entity — and part walking metaphor. Welcome to Kojima.
Narrative: Surrealism, Sentiment, and Sci-Fi Shenanigans
The story in On The Beach is just as bonkers and fascinating as fans hoped. Time-traveling whales? Check. A villain made of fragmented timelines? Absolutely. Singing embryos? Why not.
What’s surprising, though, is how emotionally grounded it all feels. Sam’s relationship with Fragile is at the heart of the game, and there are genuinely touching moments amid the madness. New characters like Higgs Reborn (Troy Baker’s chaotic return) and a mysterious figure named Shii add layers of mystery and moral ambiguity.
The game’s pacing is deliberately slow, especially in the early chapters. But stick with it, and the emotional payoffs are substantial. It’s a story about grief, identity, purpose — and yes, beaches.
Audio, Voice, and Vibes
The sound design is impeccable. Low Roar may be gone, but the new soundtrack curated by Kojima hits similar emotional beats — haunting, hopeful, and atmospheric. Voice acting is stellar across the board, with standout performances from Reedus, Seydoux, and Baker, alongside newcomers like Elle Fanning and Shioli Kutsuna.
Whether it’s a moment of silence atop a wind-swept ridge or a BT encounter that sounds like a choir underwater, the game’s audio does some serious heavy lifting.
Final Verdict
Death Stranding 2: On The Beach is bold, strange, slow, and undeniably Kojima. It refines the first game’s foundation without compromising its artistic identity. If you loved the original, this is a richer, more cohesive experience. If you didn’t? This probably won’t convert you — but it might surprise you with its quiet brilliance.
Not everyone wants a game that asks them to walk for 20 minutes while contemplating mortality, but for those who do: Kojima has delivered once again.
