Death Stranding 2: On the Beach (2025): The Review

Overview

Hideo Kojima set out to create something both timeless and polarizing, and with Death Stranding 2, he’s achieved at least one of those goals. It may not ignite the same debate and confusion as its predecessor, but it will be remembered. The game isn’t flawless, still carrying traces of the original’s imperfections, yet it radiates a sense of intimacy and sincerity rarely seen in big-budget games. It’s deeply human, strikingly personal, and more than just a sequel, it’s a culmination, a quiet, emotional masterpiece that could stand as Kojima’s defining work.

Score: 9 out of 10

The Positives ✅

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach isn’t just a sequel, it’s a full-blown evolution. It feels like the game Hideo Kojima always wanted to make, a meditative odyssey that swaps the emptiness of solitude for the weight of connection. The narrative is more focused, intimate, and emotionally resonant this time around. Sam’s bond with Lou is the beating heart of the story, grounding every surreal sequence with something deeply human. Fragile’s return also brings warmth and melancholy, while new faces like Neil breathe new life into Kojima’s strange, beautiful world. What once felt detached now feels raw, lived-in, and painfully personal.

Visually, it’s nothing short of staggering. The Decima Engine has been pushed to god-tier levels, delivering some of the most jaw-dropping landscapes ever rendered. Every grain of sand, every glimmer of tar, every storm cloud feels alive. The scorched reds of Australia, the neon glow of Mexico, and the haunting beauty of the Beach all come together like a moving painting. And the characters, my god, the faces. Norman Reedus’ micro-expressions, Fragile’s subtle smiles, Lou’s tiny movements, all rendered with unnerving realism. It’s one of those rare games where you pause just to soak it all in, because screenshots don’t do it justice.

And then there’s the sound. Ludvig Forssell and Woodkid’s score hits harder than ever, sweeping, haunting, and unforgettable. The soundtrack alone could win awards, each track perfectly tuned to the emotional cadence of a scene. When the first piano notes hit, it’s like the world itself exhales. Every moment, from the quiet hikes through stormy ruins to the cinematic showdowns, feels enhanced by the sheer precision of Kojima’s audio direction. Even the ambient noise carries weight: the whisper of wind, the hum of your Odradek, the distant echoes of BTs. It’s sensory poetry.

Gameplay-wise, the improvements are undeniable. Traversal is smoother, combat is sharper, and the world feels more reactive than ever. Kojima refined every rough edge from the first game, transforming it into a more accessible, fluid experience. The new APASE system allows for player growth and versatility, encouraging experimentation across combat, stealth, and delivery. Sam finally feels like the seasoned veteran he’s supposed to be, more confident, more capable, but still human. And the Dollman companion? A masterstroke. It adds strategic depth and emotional warmth without ever breaking immersion.

The Negatives ⚠️

But for all its brilliance, Death Stranding 2 makes one key trade-off: accessibility at the expense of challenge. The journey may be smoother, but it’s also safer. Sam is borderline overpowered, and the world rarely pushes back. Where the first game made you fear every step, this one sometimes makes you feel like a walking tank. Vehicles now plow through terrain like it’s butter, weapons make combat almost trivial, and the Dollman turns most encounters into child’s play. There were moments I missed that old sense of danger, that raw tension of surviving against impossible odds.

Even boss fights, though visually spectacular, lack the unpredictability and menace of the original. They’re grand, yes, but rarely nerve-wracking. It’s not game-breaking, but it does dull the edge. If you’re seeking that grueling “man versus nature” survival tension, you’ll need to crank the difficulty up to keep the adrenaline alive. The ease doesn’t ruin the experience, but it certainly changes it, what was once harrowing is now merely cinematic.

Then there’s the narrative, and with Kojima, you knew this was coming. The man can’t resist his love for the bizarre, and this sequel indulges that instinct more than ever. Some twists are brilliant; others are… well, let’s say “Kojima doing Kojima things.” There’s one particular revelation that toes the line between genius and madness, and I’m still not entirely sure which side it lands on. But honestly, that’s part of the charm. You’ll roll your eyes one moment, then find yourself quietly emotional the next. The absurdity and sincerity co-exist, somehow, impossibly, and it works.

The Experience 🎮

At its core, Death Stranding 2 is more than just a game, it’s a reflection on connection, grief, and endurance. Kojima doesn’t just want you to play; he wants you to feel. From the quiet treks across desolate beaches to the intimate campfire moments between Sam and Lou, every scene radiates vulnerability. It’s cinematic, yes, but it’s also deeply introspective. This is Kojima unchained, free from corporate constraints, telling a story that feels profoundly personal. If the first game was about reconnecting a fractured world, this one is about holding on to those connections when the world starts breaking again.

And that’s where its magic lies. There are no massive explosions, no over-the-top Hollywood crescendos, just moments of stillness that hit harder than any action set piece. You’ll pause, not because you’re forced to, but because you want to. You’ll stare at the horizon, listen to the faint hum of a Low Roar successor track, and feel something you can’t quite put into words. Few games can pull that off. It’s art that moves, breathes, and occasionally weeps.

Still, for all its ambition, Death Stranding 2 never forgets to be human. It’s weird, bold, occasionally pretentious, but it’s also sincere, tender, and heartfelt. When the credits rolled, I wasn’t just thinking about Sam Porter Bridges. I was thinking about connection, about isolation, about the fragile bridges we all build in our own lives. And if a game can make you feel that, not just think it, but feel it, then Kojima’s mission is complete.

Flawed, fascinating, and unforgettable, Death Stranding 2 isn’t just a sequel. It’s a statement. A masterpiece of melancholy and meaning that proves, once again, that no one makes games quite like Hideo Kojima.