Introduction

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is the long-awaited sequel to Hideo Kojima’s divisive yet profoundly introspective 2019 title, Death Stranding—a game I recently covered on this channel and one I still consider a truly one-of-a-kind experience.

This sequel is a fascinating follow-up. It expands on the original in meaningful ways—offering more tools, more options for self-expression, and new approaches to problem-solving. Yet, it also steps away from some of the foundational elements that defined the gameplay loop of its predecessor. It’s an experience that may surprise—perhaps even alienate—those who expected a straightforward continuation of what came before. If you were hoping for a retread of the original formula, you might walk away from this sequel feeling conflicted or even disappointed.

Personally, I see these changes as deliberate and thematically grounded. Death Stranding 2 shifts the philosophical focus. While the first game embraced Kobo Abe’s concept of the rope—connection over conflict—this sequel asks a more complicated question: Are sticks sometimes necessary? This duality gives the sequel a more complex thematic landscape. While it may feel like a departure, it still carries the emotional and conceptual DNA of the original.

At its core, Death Stranding 2 feels like a culmination of Kojima’s post-pandemic reflections—born out of his frustrations during COVID, his deeper meditations on connection, and his growing awareness of his own mortality and legacy as a creator. It’s an overwhelming experience at times—dense, strange, even convoluted—but when you look past its eccentricities, what emerges is something thoughtful, raw, and deeply human.

As you can probably tell from this intro alone, I have a lot to unpack. But before we dive into the themes and ideas of Death Stranding 2, a quick spoiler warning: this video will cover major story elements and thematic content. If you haven’t finished the game yet, I recommend coming back once you’ve seen the credits roll.

With that said, let’s begin.

Development and Design Philosophy

The Development

Following the mixed critical reception but impressive milestone of over 10 million players for the first Death Stranding, Hideo Kojima turned his attention to developing a sequel. Work on the initial script began, but Death Stranding 2 would not come together without facing significant challenges.

The original game emphasized the importance of connection, with the Chiral Network serving as an allegory for a hyper-connected online world. Kojima initially envisioned a different direction for the sequel. However, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, his perspective shifted. He witnessed a profound societal transformation as the in-person rituals of everyday life—meetings, social events, school functions—migrated entirely online. This shift mirrored the digital dependencies portrayed in Death Stranding, and it became impossible to ignore.

The first major hurdle came with the pandemic itself, which forced much of the development process into a remote setting. On-site production halted, and casting had to be done over Zoom. Kojima later described this as “one of the worst experiences,” noting how difficult it was to convey subtlety and emotional nuance through a screen—calling it “almost impossible.”

Australia, the key setting for Death Stranding 2, was another victim of pandemic limitations. Kojima had intended to scout the country himself, but travel restrictions made that impossible. He had to rely on remote location scouts—another experience that left him frustrated. “You can’t feel things through a screen,” he remarked, further reinforcing his growing skepticism about digital reliance.

Isolated in his office during lockdown, Kojima observed a world gripped by fear and scarcity—people stockpiling essentials, streets deserted. He sat alone, wondering if he’d ever see another human being in person again. It was in that solitude that the realization struck: the world was beginning to resemble the very themes he had explored through the Chiral Network. The eerie parallel pushed him into a state of dismay and forced him to reconsider the story he wanted Death Stranding 2 to tell.

Then, things took a darker turn. In 2020, Kojima experienced a serious health scare. Intense pain in his eyes left him unable to work—or even enjoy films, one of his greatest passions. He feared he might never recover, let alone create another game. In a moment of uncertainty and despair, he began documenting all of his remaining creative ideas—for both games and films. “Think of it as if it were my will,” he later said.

Kojima would go on to describe Death Stranding 2 as “the most difficult challenge of his career,” admitting that he nearly abandoned the project entirely. It was only after “reconnecting” with its core message that he found the will to continue.

That revelation became the new foundation of the game: that it’s not just connection that matters, but physical human connection—the kind we experience in shared spaces, through presence, touch, and real emotional intimacy. From this understanding, the sequel evolved into a cautionary tale about society’s increasing dependence on digital forms of connection.

At the heart of Death Stranding 2 is the haunting question, now etched into its marketing and its narrative alike: “Should we have connected?”

Story

Narrative Overview

The story of Death Stranding 2 picks up 11 months after the events of the first game. Sam and Lou—his former Bridge Baby and now close companion—have been living a quiet life off the grid, following the successful reconnection of the United Cities of America. Their peaceful days, however, are soon disrupted when Fragile arrives with a new request.

She comes representing a newly formed third-party organization known as Drawbridge, and asks Sam to help establish a Chiral Network link through Mexico. Without much hesitation, Sam agrees, entrusting Lou to Fragile’s care while he sets off on the mission. This initial journey serves as the game’s introductory section—relatively calm and familiar in tone—as Sam successfully reactivates the Chiral Network in the region with little resistance.

But things take a sudden and devastating turn on the way back.

Sam encounters a mysterious new threat: red-veiled figures known as Ghost Mechs. And when he returns, he finds tragedy waiting for him. Both Fragile and Lou have been attacked—shot by one of the red-clad assailants. The culprit is soon revealed to be Higgs, who has somehow returned, hellbent on vengeance against Sam and Fragile. The confrontation ends in heartbreak, as Lou is killed in the assault, setting the stage for a far darker and more personal journey ahead.

Themes

Play The Story of Rainy - Woodkid
Title Card - Themes: Should We Have Connected?

Should We Have Connected? (Digital Connectedness)

One of the core themes Death Stranding 2 interrogates is our growing reliance on digital connection. Where the original game championed the importance of building connections—physical, emotional, and spiritual—the sequel asks a more sobering question: "Should we have connected?" This central inquiry doesn't reject the value of connection outright but reframes it, especially in light of the global experiences brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, which deeply influenced Kojima's approach to this sequel.

In Death Stranding 2, the Chiral Network becomes a clear allegory for the internet and digital connectivity—a tool that links people across vast distances but also fosters a dependency that can feel hollow. While the first game celebrated the act of rebuilding a fractured world through this network, the sequel problematizes it. It still acknowledges the role of digital connection, but posits that something vital is lost when it replaces real human interaction.

This idea is expressed through the game’s emphasis on physical presence—being there with someone. Not simply exchanging data or messages, but sharing space. The game highlights the irreplaceable quality of real human connection through:

• The ability to share a physical environment
• The nuance of body language—gestures, posture, presence
• The intimacy of touch
• Emotional co-regulation—the subconscious way in which the presence of others can stabilize us emotionally

These are aspects that digital communication, no matter how advanced, cannot replicate. A voice call or hologram can’t replace a shared laugh, a comforting hug, or a heartfelt conversation face-to-face. Connection isn’t just about information transfer—it’s about empathy, presence, and resonance.

Death Stranding 2 reinforces this through smaller, intimate moments. Whether it’s laughing at a friend’s joke, holding someone’s hand, or simply traveling together, these experiences highlight the many forms that meaningful connection can take.

Interestingly, Death Stranding 2 is also much more playful and light-hearted in tone than its predecessor. At first, this tonal shift—filled with oddball humor and lighter moments—may feel jarring when contrasted with scenes of grief, loss, and trauma. But this juxtaposition is intentional. The moments of levity aren’t distractions from the game’s emotional core—they are part of it. They act as emotional counterweights, grounding the player in warmth and camaraderie amidst an otherwise bleak narrative.

One of the clearest examples of this is the inclusion of the DHV Magellan, a vessel that serves not just as transportation, but as a metaphorical and literal hub for human connection. It becomes a place where Sam, and by extension the player, forms real-time bonds with a cast of traveling companions. Unlike the holographic, often impersonal interactions of the first game, these relationships feel alive, dynamic, and evolving—akin to building a party in a traditional JRPG. These shared journeys help reinforce the game’s point: connection thrives through presence.

Moments aboard the Magellan—singing "Raindrops," snapping photos, or watching Dollman’s bizarre dance routines—may seem whimsical, but they are deeply intentional. They’re not just coping mechanisms for Sam’s trauma. They are expressions of healing through community, and they reaffirm the value of shared experiences in a post-apocalyptic world.

Sam himself embodies this transformation. Where the first game portrayed him as an isolated, reluctant courier burdened by emotional detachment, Death Stranding 2 continues his journey toward openness. He grows into someone who no longer avoids others but instead seeks them out, embraces them, and—crucially—learns to be present with them.

This evolution in Sam ties directly into another central theme: loss and memory. The game suggests that connection transcends death—not just through digital means or memory, but through the bonds we cultivate while alive. These bonds endure and shape the future, even in absence. They are what sustain us.

At its core, Death Stranding 2 doesn’t reject connection. It simply asks us to examine the nature of the connections we forge. Are they real or synthetic? Are they built on presence, care, and vulnerability—or on convenience and abstraction? The game argues that true human connection requires presence. And sometimes, to rebuild the world, it’s not enough to be linked—we must be there.

Play Any Kind of Love - Instrumental (if possible)

The Double Edged Sword of Connection (Conflict)

“A world divided made whole…with a few sticks for encouragement. The UCA’s precursor, the United States of America. Had a prominent gun culture. A distinctly American philosophy and one which would appear to have spread to this continent. The more we seek to unite the people with metaphorical ropes, the more essential sticks seem to become”.

Hideo Kojima has often spoken about the symbolism of the stick and the rope. In the original Death Stranding, his aim was to create a game centered around the rope—an emblem of connection, cooperation, and unity. With Death Stranding 2, however, he seeks to strike a balance between the two. The rope still represents connection, but the stick—symbolizing violence or defense—emerges as a necessary counterpoint. The sequel delves into the dual nature of connection, suggesting that while bonds can bring people together, they can also give rise to conflict. In some cases, the stick may be just as essential as the rope.

The game explores the dangers of hyper-connectedness, particularly in the digital age. Higgs, now an even more formidable antagonist, manipulates the Chiral Network to travel and manifest destructive "ghost mechs." Meanwhile, APAS—a new governing presence—expands the Network to unify humanity into a collective hivemind, stripping individuals of autonomy. Much like Metal Gear Solid 2, Death Stranding 2 critiques the over-reliance on digital systems and highlights the risks of mass surveillance, exploitation, and the spread of misinformation.

It also addresses how the promise of safety can be used to justify extreme measures. The organization Bridges conducts inhumane experiments on BBs—literal unborn children—treating them as tools in the name of national security. It’s an unsettling metaphor that underscores the potential for dehumanization when fear is prioritized over ethics.

Yet the game doesn't dwell in cynicism. It offers a message of hope: that we can move forward, and that clinging to the past only chains us to old mistakes. Characters like Sam and Fragile choose growth, choosing to let go of trauma and embrace change. In contrast, Higgs remains trapped by vengeance and obsession with Amelie, standing as a foil to Sam’s evolution. They embody the tension between progress and stagnation.

This theme is further enriched through the character of Neil Vana, whose story ties together the fates of Sam, Lucy, and Lou. Haunted by his past—particularly abandoning Lucy—Neil returns in a redemptive arc. He falsely claims to be the father of Lucy’s child in order to shield her from experimentation, sacrificing himself in the process. It's an act of love and atonement that illustrates when the stick—confrontation and protection—is wielded not out of aggression, but out of care.

Death Stranding 2 raises important questions: Is the stick merely a weapon, or is it a symbol of necessary boundaries? Is it a metaphor for confrontation, self-defense, or autonomy? While the rope connects, it is the stick that safeguards identity and privacy. When connection becomes coercion, when unity becomes control—as seen with APAS—it ceases to be connection at all. What defines us, the game argues, is not just our links to others, but our ability to remain autonomous within those links.

Ultimately, Death Stranding 2 suggests that both the rope and the stick are essential. The rope brings us together, cherishing the things dearest to us. But the stick represents the capacity to protect what matters, to draw lines, and to confront threats when needed. Rather than rejecting connection, the game encourages us to question how we connect—and what we may sacrifice in the process.

Play Are you There - Woodkid
Title Card - Themes: The Importance of Circles of Loops

The Importance of Circles and Loops (Repetition and Circular Healing)

In Death Stranding 1, one of the most prominent motifs was connection—represented symbolically through objects like the cuffs, umbilical cords, and even the literal bridges between the worlds of the living and the dead. These elements reinforced the game’s central message: that connection is vital, even across boundaries we don't fully understand.

In Death Stranding 2, a new motif emerges—one that articulates its message even more clearly: the circle. The circle symbolizes many things—eternity, repetition, continuity—but most significantly, it represents loops. Unlike the cuff-link interface of the first game, this time you navigate the world using a ring. The journey through Australia, the core trek of the game, is itself a loop—one that brings you back to where you began, but changed. Even the logo of Drawbridge, the organization you work with, features a rising sun—another circle, another loop—hovering over a bridge.

This sense of looping and reflection left a strong impression on me throughout my playthrough. Death Stranding 2 feels to Death Stranding 1 what Metal Gear Solid 2 was to Metal Gear Solid 1: a subversive echo of its predecessor. It starts off feeling familiar—only to slowly peel back its layers, revealing something far more complex. It echoes the aesthetics of the first game with its own unique flair: cyborg-like characters, ghost mechs, and a heightened focus on the perils of over-reliance on digital systems and artificial intelligence. These themes feel even more urgent today than they did when the original launched.

But beyond the aesthetics and philosophical callbacks, Death Stranding 2 plays with the idea of cycles—of repetition, rebirth, and the questioning of reality. The motif of the circle supports this, reflecting the narrative arcs of characters like Higgs, whose resurrection ties directly into themes of rebirth, as well as Fragile and the return of Lou in the form of Tomorrow. These characters all embody change through recurrence.

Circles in this context also symbolize eternal connection—bonds that persist even in death. Fragile puts it best when she says to Sam, "Death can't tear us apart. We'll always be connected on the beach." It’s a powerful line that suggests death isn’t a final end, but a point of return—an opportunity for rest, reset, and reconnection. The cycle of life, and our place within it, is central to the human experience that Death Stranding 2 explores.

Despite all the metaphor—circles and loops, sticks and ropes—Death Stranding 2 ultimately delivers a hopeful message: the future is shaped by the choices we make today. It may seem fragile, even predetermined at times, but it is never beyond repair. We can always mend it. And even when our individual journeys come to an end, the connections we’ve built—the bonds that define us—endure.

*Play - To the Wilder Instrumental
Title Card - Themes: Death Can't Tear Us Apart

Death Can't Tear Us Apart (Fragility of Life and Healing)

Metal Gear Solid was a close series to Kojima with a theme of “how do we surpass or live up to our parents?”. Death Stranding 2 is a story that puts you in the role of the parent with the relationship between Sam and Lou. Sam's relationship with Lou as a pseudo-parent throughout the first, and what ultimately eventuates in the reveal that Lou is in-fact the child that Sam believed to had lost, when he lost his wife Lucy. Then to close out that Tomorrow is in-fact Lou all grown up, it explores and retreads this father journey relationship in a very off-beat way. But for the majority of this story it is the process and denial of loss, the fragility of life itself, and even when someone is gone, it ponders of how connections can still be sustained, and remain unsevered.

Death Stranding 2 explores Death Loss and grief but it isn't just through how one navigates and overcomes these feelings, but how we are still connected to those who are gone through memories, love and what shapes a connection that can't be severed through the realms of life and death. Many have defined Death Stranding 2's central theme as a game about grief and trauma, but it is more a game about healing.

Whilst talking earlier about the necessity of the stick that is a question posed by Kojima but ultimately Death Stranding 2 is at its core about confrontation, but not that of justified violence, but the confrontation of your own pain, hardships, it suggests that their is hope in connection and reconnection. It posits, that for one to live their life to the fullest that the must stop running from the beach - aka their perception of Death and instead learn how to tread across it with others.

"Though the Future is a product of every Present that precedes it. Tomorrow does not belong to Today. To Live is to imagine ourselves in the future, and there we inevitably arrive. Yet our place in said future may not be the one we envision.

The perfect embodiment of this theme is the character tomorrow herself, as she is revealed to be both Lou and Sam’s daughter. Sam may have lost that time seeing her grow up, due to the measures Fragile took to protect her, but tomorrow literally doesn’t belong to today. The future that both her and Sam share now being reunited is one that able to be one that is special and connection that is even stronger than the one shared when the game begun. It’s about understanding our past, confronting our problems so we can pave the future and confidently tread forward.

To the point of the previous theme, as these two themes are pretty interwoven the understanding and purpose of the loops is to instill the repetition and message that connection is not just a one-time journey but a constant commitment to connect to rekindle, to heal, to build and to be vulnerable - even if these things can open us up to pain, they are a necessity and what makes us, connects us, and pushes us forward. Death can't tear us apart, we'll always be connected because life is circular and we'll always be connected through the beach. Death Stranding 2 ultimately is still a game about connection but, it's takeaway and lesson that it wants to ask and answer is "what does it mean to connect?" and to understand the importance of the connections we form in this world.

Gameplay

The Gameplay Loop

At its core, Death Stranding 2 is a more polished and evolved iteration of the original vision. The central gameplay loop remains familiar: delivering cargo, constructing helpful infrastructure, and navigating an asynchronous world shaped by other players’ actions. That foundation—the meditative rhythm of travel and connection—is still very much intact.

However, this time around, there’s more variation in the loop. While standard deliveries remain a staple, Death Stranding 2 places greater emphasis on stealth and combat. Several main missions revolve around infiltrating enemy camps, retrieving valuable items, and exfiltrating safely. The game still encourages non-lethal play, but combat encounters are more frequent and dynamic, supported by a broader range of enemy types and scenarios than its predecessor.

What stands out early in the experience is how much more open and accessible the game feels. Players are granted access to a wide array of tools, gadgets, and vehicles much sooner than before. This has a double-edged effect: it offers more freedom and creativity in how you approach challenges, but it also risks reducing the tension and challenge that made the original so distinct. The “path of least resistance” is easier to follow now, which may not sit well with those who valued the deliberate pacing of the first game.

Some may note that the feeling of isolation and vulnerability—so central to the original—is less prominent here. And while that’s true, it feels like a deliberate evolution rather than a misstep. In Death Stranding 1, the oppressive atmosphere worked because of the world’s fractured state and Sam’s initial detachment. The sense of solitude, danger, and spiritual reflection was baked into that journey. In the sequel, Sam is a changed man, and the world—while still dangerous—is no longer as desolate. Moments of tension, serenity, and reflection still exist, but they're contextualized differently.

Death Stranding 2 ultimately feels like a more robust experience. The expanded toolkit, deeper combat systems, and emphasis on stealth add meaningful gameplay layers. One of the most welcome additions is the introduction of Sub Orders—side quests that go beyond routine deliveries to offer narrative depth and world-building. These quests help flesh out the diverse shelters scattered across the Australian continent and give insight into the lives of the people who inhabit them.

At the heart of it all, Death Stranding 2 retains the philosophical and systemic DNA of its predecessor. The way you move through the world, the way you plan your journey, and the emotional payoff of helping others all remain fundamental. But this sequel doesn’t just refine what came before—it also carves out new ground, introducing systems and ideas that push the series into uncharted territory.

Let’s dig deeper into how these changes manifest and what they mean for the player experience.

The Improved, Refined, Expanded

I'd like to start with the positives. Death Stranding 2 expands the core formula in meaningful and satisfying ways—most notably through its larger arsenal of tools and weapons. These additions not only make enemy encounters more varied and engaging, but also breathe new life into the delivery gameplay, enhancing how you traverse and interact with the world. We’ll explore these systems in more detail shortly, but it’s clear that the sequel builds upon the foundations of the first game with greater mechanical depth and creativity.

One of the most welcome improvements lies in the quality-of-life features that make planning and executing deliveries more intuitive and rewarding. Managing your cargo is now a far smoother process. You can use Sam’s rope to tie down cargo for better stability, auto-rearrange your load directly from the quick wheel menu, and even drop your backpack when needed to protect your gear or lighten your load. These tweaks, while small in isolation, add up to a more refined and flexible gameplay loop—making route planning feel strategic without becoming tedious.

At its core, Death Stranding 2 still centers around the act of delivery—and the asynchronous social systems continue to elevate that experience. There’s something deeply satisfying about navigating a route made easier by structures left behind by other players. That ghostly sense of teamwork—of unseen hands helping you forward—feels even more impactful here than it did in the first game. The world doesn’t just respond to your actions; it evolves based on your contributions. The more you put in, the more the landscape begins to feel shared, lived-in, and transformed by collective effort.

Beyond structures, the new gadgets and tools that exist outside the building system add even more variety. While some—like the surfer coffin or the blood boomerang—lean into Kojima’s trademark absurdity, others offer practical applications for stealth, traversal, and combat. That said, not every gadget feels equally useful. Some tools clearly have fringe or situational uses, and may not see much play outside of specific scenarios. Still, the broader focus on supporting both stealth and action ensures there’s something here for every playstyle.

In many ways, Death Stranding 2 feels like a more expressive and collaborative experience—one that encourages experimentation, celebrates community-driven progress, and continues to reward the careful, contemplative act of simply putting one foot in front of the other.

The Setbacks

There’s a statement that could easily be made about Death Stranding 2: “It’s undeniably more fun to play—but is that necessarily a good thing?”

This sequel is more refined, more bombastic, and far more generous with its tools. Early on, you’re handed equipment and vehicles that, in the first game, would have taken hours of careful progression to unlock. Vehicles play a much larger role this time, and with the increased focus on combat, you’re given an expanded arsenal to handle enemies in almost every scenario. While this added variety feels satisfying on the surface, it also raises the question: does this abundance dilute what made the original so special?

For me, while I didn’t default to brute-forcing every delivery with a vehicle, the sheer ease and availability of these options in the sequel does somewhat undercut the meditative tension of the original experience. Part of what made Death Stranding 1 so memorable was the deliberate pacing—the sense of solitude, fragility, and careful planning as you made each step across treacherous terrain. Here, that quiet struggle is softened. I can’t help but feel that this shift began with the Death Stranding: Director’s Cut, where Kojima Productions introduced more tools and shortcuts. In Death Stranding 2, this design philosophy is expanded, likely in the name of accessibility.

That’s not to say tension is gone. You can still find yourself in trouble, especially when pushing vehicles through BT territory, and they remain just as intimidating as before. I’ve seen some players claim that BTs are significantly easier in this sequel, but I don’t entirely agree. In the original game, BTs were more of a novelty at first—something you eventually learned to outmaneuver. The same holds true here. It’s not that they’re easier; it’s simply that we, as players, are already familiar with their patterns and behavior.

For me, the real drawback of Death Stranding 2’s design loop lies in how heavily it accommodates players who disliked the minimal combat of the original. I understand the reasoning behind the expanded combat options and even appreciate the flexibility they provide. But at its core, something feels missing. That raw, meditative essence of carefully planned, deliberate movement has been partially replaced with more straightforward action. It’s not a deal-breaker—but it does change the tone of the experience.

More Combat Focused?

There’s no denying that Death Stranding 2 significantly expands the combat options available, offering a broader range of tools for both direct confrontation and stealth. This shift marks a noticeable departure from the original game’s philosophy, which largely emphasized avoidance over aggression. While combat was lightly adjusted in the Director’s Cut, the sequel adopts a fundamentally different approach—one where conflict plays a much more prominent role.

This evolution ties directly into the Stick vs. Rope philosophy introduced in the first game. Where Death Stranding centered on building bridges and avoiding violence, the sequel acknowledges a harsher truth: some connections can be dangerous, and sometimes conflict is unavoidable. This idea, which we've touched on earlier, is no longer just thematic—it’s fully embedded into the gameplay.

From a mechanical standpoint, this manifests in delivery missions that play more like infiltration and extraction operations. Rather than simply journeying from point A to point B, some missions now involve planning a loadout, infiltrating enemy territory, securing an objective, and escaping. While these missions certainly add variety—and can be quite fun—they often feel reminiscent of gameplay scenarios we’ve seen before in other action-focused titles.

Personally, I found myself still gravitating toward the more traditional delivery missions. There’s something uniquely compelling about charting a long, treacherous route and overcoming the elements, as opposed to clearing out an enemy base. While the expanded toolkit undoubtedly offers players more freedom and expression in how they approach the world, it also feels like some of the tension and friction that defined the original has been smoothed out.

That change appears intentional—driven by both accessibility and narrative direction—but it’s worth noting. Death Stranding 2’s missions may be more dynamic and action-packed, but they sacrifice some of the meditative weight and endurance that gave the first game its distinct identity. In that regard, I still feel the original holds a unique edge over its successor.

Gameplay Systems

The Connected World

The Social Strand System, which formed the backbone of the original Death Stranding, makes a meaningful return in Death Stranding 2—and this time, it’s been expanded and refined in response to player feedback. Kojima Productions observed how much players enjoyed building and contributing to shared infrastructure, and they've doubled down on that core idea in the sequel.

New features elevate the system considerably. Not only can players now construct a circular road network to gradually reconnect the Australian continent, but a monorail system has also been introduced. This allows players to mine and transport large quantities of materials across vast distances, enabling the expansion of roads, monorails, and other critical structures. The gameplay loop of contribution and shared progress feels more rewarding and engaging than ever.

Several structures from the first game have also been reworked. Watchtowers now allow players to scan wide areas, tagging enemies and locating cargo more effectively. Zip-lines function more fluidly as well, letting you easily scan for connected nodes and traverse terrain with greater precision. Importantly, the pacing of structure-building has been improved. Players gain access to materials and construction tools at a steadier, more satisfying rhythm, allowing for earlier engagement with infrastructure development.

That said, this shift also means you'll be constructing roads and bridges far earlier than you did in the original, where ladders and ropes defined the early hours of gameplay. While those basic tools still have their place—and remain scattered across the landscape—the increased availability of advanced structures gives the sequel a more immediate sense of progress and collaboration. And just like before, the joy of discovering tools or bridges left behind by other players is still very much present, continuing that quiet magic of asynchronous connection.

In essence, the Social Strand System functions much like it did in the first game, but with more polish, more options, and a richer sense of shared purpose. The system of giving and receiving "likes" to acknowledge contributions remains intact, but now it's joined by additional tools and systems that deepen the feedback loop and amplify the satisfaction of cooperative play.

Even within the game’s narrative, these themes are reinforced. Communications between Sam, Drawbridge, and the various settlements he connects now take place through a social network interface, replacing the traditional email system from the first game. This new interface not only plays into the themes of digital connectedness but also offers a cleaner, more intuitive way to track discoveries, updates, and Sam’s overall progress.

Despite the gameplay expanding in new directions, the magic of the connected world that defined Death Stranding is still very much alive in Death Stranding 2. Feeling the silent presence of other players—seeing their paths, structures, and choices—remains one of the most powerful aspects of the experience.

Progression Systems

The progression system in Death Stranding 2 builds directly on the foundation established in the first game, expanding and refining many familiar mechanics. Porter grades and delivery ranks return, continuing to serve as the primary way players are evaluated for completing deliveries. As you reconnect various locations to the Chiral Network, you’ll be rewarded with new gadgets and tools—just like in the original—but now with a few additional surprises, such as novelty cosmetics like glasses and hats. Backpack customization also returns, offering more modular options to attach battery chargers, balance stabilizers, and storage compartments, giving you increased control over how you gear up for each mission.

One notable new addition is the introduction of Sam’s Stats, a gamified progression system that tracks your performance across different activity categories. These stats improve over time based on how you play—whether it’s carrying large amounts of cargo, using stealth, or engaging in combat with specific weapons. While the system isn’t overly complex, it adds a satisfying layer of gradual growth and specialization that encourages players to develop their preferred approach over time.

Where progression becomes more strategic is in the new APAS points system. As you connect shelters to the Chiral Network, you earn APAS points that can be spent to unlock or toggle enhancements across a skill tree. These enhancements offer gameplay modifiers—such as improved traversal, better resource efficiency, or combat buffs—that allow you to tailor your playstyle. Because these nodes can be activated or deactivated freely, the system encourages experimentation and adaptation. Moreover, completing Standard Orders and increasing your rank with settlements directly feeds into this system, creating an additional layer of incentive to keep exploring and helping others.

Compared to the original, Death Stranding 2 offers far more ways to customize and fine-tune your experience. While the core loop of resource and cargo management remains central, the sequel introduces more tools for planning, problem-solving, and overcoming obstacles in your own unique way. It’s a deeper, more personalized system of growth—one that invites players to engage with the world and its mechanics on their own terms.

Visuals, Sound and Performance

Visuals

Let’s talk about the visuals, sound, and performance of Death Stranding 2, starting with the visuals—because simply put, this is one of the best-looking games on the PlayStation 5, and arguably one of the most visually impressive titles released this year.

The terrain in Death Stranding 2 is absolutely breathtaking, and the cutscenes are nothing short of cinematic excellence. With the quality of motion capture and the overall visual fidelity we’ve seen in recent years, it truly feels like we’re moving beyond the uncanny valley. Death Stranding 2 stands as a shining example of how far the medium has come—characters feel expressive, grounded, and human in a way that’s incredibly immersive.

Much of this is thanks to the Decima Engine, which Kojima Productions continues to push to its limits. From the arid deserts of Mexico to the snowy peaks of Australia, the engine renders vast and varied landscapes with remarkable detail. These stylized reimaginings of real-world locations, filtered through the haunting, post-apocalyptic aesthetic of Death Stranding, result in a world that feels entirely unique—even if it doesn’t follow the traditional open-world design formula.

One of my favorite visual touches is how Death Stranding 2 leans deeper into its sci-fi aesthetic, drawing heavy inspiration from Metal Gear Solid 2’s futuristic visual language. Whether it’s the sleek designs of Cyborg Ninjas, the menacing Ghost Mechs, or the more advanced manifestations of the Chiral Network, there’s a distinct flavor of tech-noir futurism here that I absolutely loved. It feels like a natural evolution of the world established in the first game, yet wholly its own.

The environmental effects are equally impressive. Plate quakes that fracture the terrain, sandstorms, bushfires, and other dynamic hazards are not only visually stunning—they add drama and atmosphere to the journey. Even when scripted, these moments never failed to impress. The game’s biome diversity gives every region a visual identity, enhancing that sense of a globe-spanning adventure. Whether I was trudging through ash-covered wilderness or basking in the orange glow of a dust storm, the urge to explore felt just as strong—if not stronger—than it did in the original.

And the best part? I played this on a base PS5, and it still looked jaw-dropping. It’s a technical and artistic achievement that proves Kojima Productions is operating at the top of their game.

Sound

Now let’s talk about the soundtrack of Death Stranding 2, which once again features Ludvig Forssell returning to compose the score—and his work is nothing short of phenomenal. This time, Forssell’s compositions are joined by the haunting and emotionally charged sounds of Woodkid, whose contributions fill the space left by Low Roar with a fresh yet fitting energy.

Woodkid’s music brings a different emotional palette to the table—less folk and ambient, more cinematic and dramatic—yet it perfectly captures that quintessential Death Stranding feeling: the quiet moment of solace when you spot a distant shelter, the sense of accomplishment as you reach your goal, and the weight of the journey you’ve taken to get there.

Where Low Roar’s music often leaned into haunting melancholy and ambient sorrow, Woodkid’s tracks in Death Stranding 2 evoke a more layered emotional tone. Pieces like “Are You There” channel eerie introspection, while grander tracks such as “Minus Sixty-One” feel powerful and triumphant. Together, they help redefine the mood of the sequel—keeping it emotionally familiar, yet giving it a distinct sonic identity that complements its evolved themes and atmosphere.

As for the performances, the main cast is once again outstanding across the board. One performance that stood out for me was Troy Baker’s return as Higgs. In Death Stranding 2, he’s even more charismatic and menacing, delivering a performance that feels larger-than-life. Every scene he appears in is instantly elevated by his presence—he completely owns the role this time around.

Another highlight is Norman Reedus as Sam Porter Bridges. While his performance in the first game was often subtle and reserved—matching Sam’s emotionally guarded persona—Death Stranding 2 allows the character to open up more. Sam has more to say, more personality, and more opportunities for growth, and that gives Reedus the space to fully embody him. It’s a great evolution, both for the character and the actor, and it adds emotional depth to the story’s quieter moments.

Performance

In terms of performance, Death Stranding 2 ran solidly throughout my playthrough. I spent a considerable amount of time testing both Quality Mode and Performance Mode, and both delivered impressive visuals while maintaining stable framerates—even during some of the game's most graphically intensive moments. Visually, the game is striking in either mode, with no major dips that impacted my experience.

However, following the completion of my playthrough, reports began to surface** of the game causing console overheating issues. These appear to be tied to the software rather than the hardware, and as of the time of writing and recording this video, the issue has not yet been officially addressed. If a patch or fix is released by the time this video is edited, I’ll be sure to include an update here.

Conclusion

To bring everything together, Death Stranding 2 is, to me, a truly special game. It carries forward many of the themes explored in the first entry, but reframes them as a response—a retort, even—to the questions and conclusions Kojima posed in the original. The outcomes may echo familiar ideas, but the lens through which they’re viewed has changed, shaped by new context, new perspectives, and Kojima’s own evolving worldview.

The gameplay reflects this shift as well. It’s not simply a rehash of Death Stranding 1’s systems—it’s a parallel journey that may lead to similar destinations, but offers different methods and meanings along the way. It’s a game that invites you to think, to feel, and to engage in ways that are both familiar and unexpectedly new.

Some may disagree with me calling this Kojima’s best work since Metal Gear Solid 3, but that’s genuinely how I feel. In terms of pacing, structure, and thematic weight, Death Stranding 2 tells the most cohesive and emotionally resonant story he’s crafted since Snake Eater. While certain gameplay elements may lack the tension and raw friction that defined the original, this sequel isn’t trying to replicate that. Instead, it forges its own identity—not an iteration, but a divergence. Much like how players once longed to play as Snake again in MGS2, I suspect many will initially yearn for the feel of Death Stranding 1—but, in time, grow to appreciate what this sequel offers in its own right.

Death Stranding 2 is not perfect—but neither was the first. And like its predecessor, it is deeply meaningful, but for an entirely new set of reasons. Whether it’s the emotional weight of its narrative, the introspective lens it offers into Kojima’s reflections on life, legacy, and human connection during COVID, or the expanded world and refined toolset that pushes the Social Strand System even further—it’s an experience that says a lot, and says it with intent.

Though it walks a different path than its predecessor, at its heart, Death Stranding 2 still carries the same quiet beauty—the same essence that made the first game so memorable. And it’s that very heart, that unshakable core of purpose and connection, that makes me love this series as much as I do.