Death Stranding 2: On the Beach Reviews

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is ranked in the 99th percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
9 / 10.0
Jun 23, 2025

Death Stranding 2: On The Beach is an improvement over Death Stranding in almost every way I can think of. It's larger, full of more things to do, and generally a more enjoyable experience. The plot is crazier than ever, which might be a plus or minus depending on your tastes, but if nothing else, it isn't boring. The only complaint I can think of is that the game is perhaps a touch too easy at times, and even that isn't a huge problem. If you liked the first game, it's very easy to imagine you liking the sequel. Just be prepared for things to be as unfathomably ridiculous as possible at every turn.

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9 / 10.0
Jun 23, 2025

But even with its stumbles, Death Stranding 2 stuck with me. It’s messy. It’s over the top. It’s absolutely not for everyone. But it moved me. And for a game about carrying things, that feels like the point. It’s strange. It’s human. It’s heavy. Death Stranding 2 is worth the weight.

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10 / 10.0
Jun 23, 2025

Death Stranding 2 is a sequel that improves on its predecessor in every way. With sublime technical aspects, smooth and fun gameplay, and an emotional story centered on its characters, Death Stranding 2 is a fascinating experience, whether you liked the first game or not.

Review in Spanish | Read full review

8 / 10.0
Jun 23, 2025

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

9.5 / 10.0
Jun 23, 2025

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.

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8 / 10.0
Jun 23, 2025

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.

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XGN.nl
Top Critic
9 / 10.0
Jun 23, 2025

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

8.7 / 10.0
Jun 23, 2025

Despite its few flaws, Death Stranding 2: On The Beach remains a particularly impressive large-scale game.

Review in French | Read full review

95 / 100
Jun 23, 2025

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

7 / 10
Jun 23, 2025

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

90%
Jun 23, 2025

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

9 / 10
Jun 23, 2025

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

82 / 100
Jun 23, 2025

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

87 / 100
Jun 23, 2025

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

9.5 / 10.0
Jun 23, 2025

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.

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5 / 5.0
Jun 23, 2025

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.

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9 / 10.0
Jun 23, 2025

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.

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INVEN
Top Critic
9 / 10.0
Jun 23, 2025

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

10 / 10.0
Jun 23, 2025

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.

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10 / 10.0
Jun 23, 2025

Death Stranding 2: On The Beach is one of the best games of the generation and Kojima Productions at the peak of its craft - so precisely fine-tuned, emotionally resonant and at times, completely and confidently bonkers.

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