Death Stranding 2: On the Beach Reviews
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach boldly expands the philosophical and post-apocalyptic universe created nearly six years ago by Hideo Kojima, enriching and diversifying the gameplay with dynamics, yet without managing to replicate the narrative strength, character charm, and emotional impact of the first, surprising chapter. Technically stunning and artistically inspired, this sequel manages to entertain and engage, but also leaves the impression that its narrative structure cannot always sustain the dozens of hours needed to complete the adventure without lapses in pacing and intensity.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is a divisive, challenging work that never tries to please everyone. And because of that, it succeeds in leaving a deeper mark. Hideo Kojima returns to talk about connection, but this time he does so in a world that no longer needs to be united: he does so in a world that must learn to live with its own fractures, its own shadows, its own broken memories. It is a video game about mourning and hope, about collective choices and personal sacrifice, but one that manages to remain a game in the purest and deepest sense of the word. Play-wise, the title consistently evolves the original formula, incorporating new mechanics, more dynamic rhythms and a more layered structure, where the narrative and management components meet without ever clashing. Not everything is perfect: some sections still feel too slow, certain gameplay choices may be off-putting to those expecting more continuous action, and some narrative passages risk being overly cryptic. But these are small cracks in a work that manages, once again, to be visionary, fragile, and powerfully human. The technical compartment on PS5 borders on excellence: lightning-fast loading, visual cleanliness, granitic stability, without sacrificing the artistic detail that makes every shot worthy of a photo shoot. DualSense is put to excellent use, as are 3D audio and haptic feedback, making every step, every raindrop, and every beat of the BB's heart a living part of the experience. Ultimately, Death Stranding 2 is much more than a sequel. It is a second work that rewrites the meaning of the first, a new journey that does not erase the previous one but transforms it, reworks it, sublimates it. It is one of those games that asks for trust, time, and a hint of surrender. But if you let go, On the Beach manages to touch chords that modern video games rarely dare to touch.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is a great example of a sequel that expands on the original without losing sight of it. The traversal is still the star of the show, while the action has been significantly improved without taking over the experience. While a conventional plot takes the back seat for a more character-driven story, the new cast of characters and a phenomenal final third act stick the landing with prime Hideo Kojima bombast.
Although Hideo Kojima wants to make games that are somewhat divisive, I find Death Stranding 2 to be one of his most refined and enjoyable works to date. I feel confident this will be recognized as one of PS5’s defining masterpieces. In the way that we talk about The Last of Us on PS3 or God of War on PS4, I think Death Stranding 2 is an essential title for the PS5 generation.
Death Stranding 2 remains a unique video game, different from all the others, incomparable to the offerings of the contemporary industry, and for this very reason it must necessarily be analyzed "in a vacuum", away from useless comparisons and external interferences to the legacy of the series.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach features more engaging delivery mechanics, a more varied environment, and more straightforward combat. On top of all these, the game features a memorable and emotional story, making this a must-play for fans of the first game.
While Death Stranding 2: On the Beach can feel like a step forward for gameplay, I feel like Kojima Productions took a step back with its narrative and difficulty.
While the sequel doesn't deviate far from the trodden path, it improves every aspect of the first time we got to travel with Sam. Less walking, more enemies, more variety in infrastructure and some light RPG elements make this a less revolutionary, but vastly improved experience.
Review in Dutch | Read full review
Despite its few flaws, Death Stranding 2: On The Beach remains a particularly impressive large-scale game.
Review in French | Read full review
Death Stranding 2 is part 2 of Death Stranding, not its sequel. The gameplay structure shifts towards greater immediacy in the use of every feature, aspect, and mechanic, particularly with a much more solid combat system—which tends to Metal Gear Solid-ize this IP—and greater ensemble playing among the characters, who are less isolated from each other and more part of a single entity fighting with the past, in the present, in the name of the future. Sam and we cross the mirror together to explore beyond memories and recollections, in a title that is a bit déjà vu and a bit therapy session, as powerful as and more than the first, with its sharp narrative but not without the usual Kojima histrionics, and a bitter but not pessimistic underlying message, because “the future is indeed the sum of all presents, but tomorrow does not belong to today anyway.”
Review in Italian | Read full review
Death Stranding 2 is a fascinating yet conflicted sequel. Unafraid to slow down, reflect, and stir emotion, but too often at the cost of frustration and recycled mechanics. It refuses to pander, save for the promise of story continuation, stellar cast, and an evocative soundtrack. But before expanding its world, it should have focused more deeply on refining its gameplay, because the magic of the first game can’t be relived twice.
Review in Czech | Read full review
However, we like the story itself even better, especially due to the once again high-quality production and the often philosophical references to the real world. We won't spoil anything for you, of course, but the finale is even more moving than that of the first part and leaves us with a good feeling about this unusual and unusually good action-adventure, which should definitely find its way onto your PS5 if you enjoyed the predecessor even a little bit!
Review in German | Read full review
Kojima Productions delves into the ideas of the original game, nuanced and twisting them to stick it to the present without losing or losing its condition of Pure Video Game.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
A true cargo-carrying experience: it's not all that fun at the beginning of the trip, it gets better once you warm up, and provides the best feeling when you finally get rid of everything that's been weighing down your back.
Review in Unknown | Read full review
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach has managed to be a beautiful game that will make fans of the first game very happy with its rich cast, magnificent music and eccentric humor.
Review in Turkish | Read full review
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is yet another stellar entry from one of gaming’s greatest minds. The whole team at Kojima Productions has delivered a startling project that is massive in scale, building upon the original’s mechanics in interesting ways.
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach delivers higher visual fidelity, consistent performance across the board, and a few new tricks that make gameplay more accessible, challenging, and fun. If you have the patience and come in with an open mind, you’ll be in an exclusive group of people who will struggle to describe this experience to anyone else.
Death Stranding 2: On The Beach builds meaningfully upon the foundation laid by its predecessor, delivering a more dynamic and visually arresting sequel anchored by an emotional narrative that doesn't let go until the finish. It invites returning porters and newcomers alike to rediscover its strange, beautiful world with a renewed sense of wonder, reminding us that Kojima magic is very much alive. Death Stranding 2: On The Beach is absolutely essential and a must-play title that could easily get Game of the Year nods yet again. Hideo Kojima and Kojima Productions have delivered a unique and gripping experience, guiding us through the wilderness and reminding us that every step, no matter how uncertain, brings us closer to connection.
Compared to its predecessor, Death Stranding 2 delivers a far more refined experience in every aspect—from gameplay to narrative pacing. The stunning visual presentation and tightly directed storytelling keep you engaged right up to the end. While the repetitive gameplay may cause a brief sense of fatigue in the middle, the powerful climax makes it all worthwhile.
Review in Korean | Read full review
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is one of the greatest games of all time, blending freedom in its gameplay with a story and soundtrack that will be remembered for decades.