Death Stranding 2: On the Beach Review (PS5)

When Death Stranding first launched back in 2019, it split the gaming crowd. Some called it a masterpiece, others a walking simulator with too many cutscenes and not enough payoff. Now, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is here, and this time, the vision lands. It keeps the strange charm of the original but smooths out the gameplay, sharpens the story, and finally gives players a world they’ll want to get lost in. The game takes everything the original tried to do and does it with more polish and, most importantly, more fun. Gone are the clunky battles and overly cryptic storytelling. Let’s jump right into its review to find out more.

The Sequel

Sam Porter Bridges returns in Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, but he’s no longer the government’s favorite delivery guy. After the events of the first game, he’s gone off the grid with BB Lou, distancing himself from the newly rebuilt United Cities of America. That silence doesn’t last. Fragile, one of Sam’s closest allies, tracks him down and offers a new mission: reconnect the world once more, but this time, the task goes global.

From the opening moments, the sequel feels more focused. The world-building is still dense, but it doesn’t overwhelm. The game quickly sets up stakes, introduces new regions like Mexico and Australia, and drops players into an experience that feels both familiar and fresh.

The main loop, delivering packages, maintaining balance, and rebuilding a fractured world, is still there. But Kojima Productions has layered in more mechanics and better pacing. Systems like the Tri-Cruiser and early access to infrastructure tools help things move along faster, while the introduction of new factions and characters keeps the narrative engaging.

What’s impressive is how the game respects the original while also fixing its biggest issues. Sam’s journey no longer feels like a grind. There’s some improvement here. The sequel doesn’t just assume players will stick around; it earns their attention with smarter design and a clear sense of direction. Ultimately, On the Beach doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it makes sure the ride is a whole lot smoother this time around.

The Story Finally Makes Sense

Let’s be honest, Death Stranding had a story that lost a lot of players. It was full of odd terms, confusing characters, and long cutscenes that didn’t always make sense. Now, On the Beach does a lot to fix that without watering anything down.

The best new feature is Corpus, an in-game encyclopedia that’s smartly integrated into the experience. When characters mention a strange term or reference a past event, the game highlights it in the corner. Hit a button, and you get a clean explanation. No need to open your phone and Google things anymore. Corpus also keeps track of characters, locations, and past story beats. It even offers a “story so far” recap that helps players stay oriented during longer play sessions.

As for the narrative itself, it feels more grounded. Sam has left the UCA under mysterious circumstances, and now he’s being pulled back into a new mission that spans the globe. Familiar faces return, like Fragile, Deadman, and Heartman, but they’re in new roles. There’s also a new team called Drawbridge, with characters that are just as bizarre as their names suggest. Ultimately, it’s still a Kojima story. That means plenty of strange twists, emotional speeches, and cryptic messages. But this time, it’s more digestible.

A Bigger, Better Playground

The original game was beautiful, no doubt. But many players felt stuck in endless gray landscapes that looked great but started to feel repetitive. That’s one of the first things Death Stranding 2 fixes. This time, Sam’s journey stretches far beyond the United States, and the environments reflect that in a big way.

During the hands-on preview, players explored regions in Mexico and Australia, and the difference is instantly noticeable. Deserts, dense forests, rocky cliffs, and even burned-out landscapes all offer their own visual identity and traversal challenges. There’s real variety now. Every area brings new vibes, and it keeps the experience feeling fresh. But it’s not just about how it looks. The environment fights back. Sandstorms reduce visibility. Fireballs rain down from the sky, igniting forest fires mid-delivery. These dynamic weather events don’t just look cool; they shake up the core gameplay. Every step becomes a decision. Every delivery feels like a risk.

Now, visually, On the Beach is easily one of the best-looking games of the generation. Powered by the Decima engine (the same one behind Horizon), it nails every detail. From realistic lighting to lush vegetation, it’s a visual treat. Even better, performance mode keeps things running at a buttery 60 frames per second. The only noticeable hit is some minor pop-in, but otherwise, the game feels both smooth and cinematic, with no compromises required.

Deliveries

Death Stranding 2 is still about making deliveries. But it’s not just a mailman simulator anymore. Kojima Productions took the core loop of walking and planning and gave it more depth. Sam still carries packages, stacks them like Tetris blocks, and figures out how to cross dangerous terrain. But now, he gets access to better tools a lot faster. The Tri-Cruiser, basically a cool futuristic motorcycle, is available early on, which helps reduce travel time. In the first game, players had to wait a while before they could even craft a basic vehicle.

Building infrastructure returns, and it’s still one of the most satisfying systems in the game. You can construct bridges, roads, and safe houses for both yourself and other players. Notably, players can now build monorail systems and transport materials from mines to hubs. For players who love planning logistics and helping the online community, this is a dream upgrade.

Even with all the improvements, the game still respects the core of what made the original interesting. It’s about exploring slowly and about finding your own rhythm. But now, it supports that rhythm with better pacing and more satisfying rewards.

Combat Isn’t an Afterthought Anymore

One of the weakest parts of the original Death Stranding was combat. It felt slow and awkward, as if it were tacked on. Thankfully, the sequel turns that around. This time, Kojima and his team clearly drew inspiration from Metal Gear Solid V. The combat feels more flexible, and players have a significantly wider range of options. Want to sneak through a base? Go for it. Prefer to go loud? That works too. The game allows players to switch between stealth and action modes mid-encounter without disrupting the flow.

There are also new weapons and gadgets to play with. Some are serious, like traditional guns. Others lean into Kojima’s signature weirdness, such as a boomerang that can harm BTs or a gadget that projects a decoy hologram. It’s fun to experiment, and for once, fighting isn’t something to avoid.

Additionally, boss fights are improved. They feel more like set pieces than typical fights, with more energy and spectacle. And yes, Higs is back, but now he’s a bizarre, guitar-playing samurai clown. It’s ridiculous, but somehow it works in the twisted world Kojima has built. 

Kojima Being Kojima

There’s no mistaking this for any other game. Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is still full of the bizarre. Kojima leans even deeper into his unique style here, and this time, it feels more intentional. For instance, some story moments are hidden. You might miss entire scenes if you don’t explore certain paths. The game doesn’t force players to see everything. Of course, that choice might frustrate some players, but it’s also refreshing. It rewards curiosity.

There’s also humor now, real and intentional. Doll Man, one of the new characters, is a walking joke. There are even nods to Metal Gear, as well as a few meta moments. That’s something the original lacked. Notably, Kojima has consistently incorporated secrets into his games.

It’s also clear that the developers listened to criticism. From traversal to UI to storytelling, nearly every pain point from the original has been addressed. It still has its slow stretches. It’s still weird. However, the game now feels like a complete package, not just an experimental idea.

Verdict

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is not for everyone. If you hated the first game, this might not change your mind. The walking is still slow. The tone is still odd. And yes, the story still takes some wild turns. But this time, those elements come together with purpose. The game is more polished, more playable, and more rewarding. It guides you without hand-holding. And it finally delivers a gameplay loop that’s both chill and challenging.

That said, there are still flaws. Some missions drag. A few mechanics feel underused. And the cutscenes, while improved, can still go on for too long. Players looking for fast-paced action or constant dopamine hits might bounce off this just like they did the first. Nevertheless, we all agree that On the Beach finally works. For fans of the first game, it’s a better version of everything they loved. For newcomers, it’s a second chance to join the journey with less frustration this time.