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
Jul 3, 2025

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is a brilliant sequel, taking the best aspects of the original game and adding more gameplay variety, lots more entertaining tools to play with, and a new, more emotionally-driven story. Giving you lots of freedom with regards to how you complete your goals, Death Stranding 2 is worth considering even if, like me, you didn't rate the first game all that highly. It's overall a much more frictionless and enjoyable affair.

Read full review

9 / 10.0
Jul 1, 2025

Death Stranding 2: On the beach uniqueness can be seen in every single mechanics and departments. not only Death Stranding 2 is one of the best games of 2025, it's also one of the best games of these generation.

Review in Persian | Read full review

New Game Network
()
Top Critic
93 / 100
Jul 1, 2025

Death Stranding 2 fixes most issues from the first game, adds better combat and keeps its unique world and pacing. It's still weird, but now it's also much more fun to play.

Read full review

TrueGaming
Top Critic
8 / 10.0
Jun 23, 2025

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is a game that will hold a special place in the hearts of many players, but it's certainly not for everyone, just as Kojima intended.

Review in Arabic | Read full review

9.5 / 10.0
Jun 23, 2025

In 2019, Hideo Kojima surprised the world with the story of the courier, only to continue his story a few years later. Death Stranding 2 is a game for Sam's fans who want to know his further fate. Give yourself to the story of the story, the characters and the world.

Review in Polish | Read full review

LevelUp
Top Critic
9 / 10.0
Jun 23, 2025

It's a video game, but also an experience that stimulates all your senses; a work capable of stirring emotions and surprisingly discovering that gaming can be just as moving as a song, a play, or a movie. As a game, it meets and surpasses its predecessor; as a creative expression, it reaffirms the talent of Hideo Kojima and Kojima Productions, as well as their stubbornness to continue innovating and pushing the boundaries of the medium. It's not perfect; it slips in places, but it's undoubtedly one of the best games of the year.

Review in Spanish | Read full review

8.5 / 10.0
Jun 22, 2025

Death Stranding 2 may not match the sales figures of its predecessor, nor recapture the magic of the original. However, it is a well-crafted sequel with expanded gameplay, new territories, a great plot, and lots of Metal Gear Solid elements waiting to be discovered after all these years.

Review in Slovak | Read full review

9 / 10.0
Jun 23, 2025

Kojima has once again managed to deliver an emotional and deeply layered story that will have us trekking through mountains and valleys for 90 hours - it simply doesn't get better than this. Our second journey through this world, brought to life by the magic of Decima Engine, promises to be a far more satisfying experience in every aspect, finally realizing its true potential as an unforgettable adventure.

Review in Turkish | Read full review

95 / 100
Jun 23, 2025

Technically flawless and visually stunning, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is an exceptional sequel and a clear evolution for a game that was already full of qualities. An even more engaging story with an improved narrative, as well as huge advances in its unique gameplay, are just some of the highlights of one of the best games of the year.

Review in Portuguese | Read full review

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.

Read full review

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.

Read full review

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

6.5 / 10.0
Jun 23, 2025

Where the first Death Stranding was original and daring, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is repetitive and boring. It's a sequel too scared to stray from its predecessor. The new tools and scenarios are nothing more than window dressing for a repetitive experience, accompanied by a bland story filled with ideas that Hideo Kojima had used much better in other games. Its technical quality is impressive and it features great performances, but only those who finished the previous game and were left wanting more of the same will be able to fully appreciate it.

Review in Spanish | Read full review

4.5 / 5.0
Jul 22, 2025

Don’t let a few issues dissuade you, though. Death Stranding 2: On The Beach smooths out almost all the issues I had with the original game and allowed me to dive in and fall in love with its addicting gameplay. The story may still be mostly nonsense, but it’s not unenjoyable nonsense, and it does nothing to keep me from wanting to deliver just one more package. Seeing what’s over the next horizon has never felt better in a game. Those who loved the first game will almost certainly love Death Stranding 2, but even those who bounced off of it should give the series another chance here.

Read full review

Jul 25, 2025

Death Stranding 2: On The Beach is an unforgettable adventure that I firmly believe sits as one of the greatest games ever created. With an emotional and thrilling narrative, a technically brilliant gameplay system that builds upon its predecessor, and a best-in-class soundtrack, Death Stranding 2 advances the industry forward and innovates. Hideo Kojima and the Kojima Productions team have created something truly remarkable that will be talked about for decades to come.

Read full review

9 / 10.0
Jul 22, 2025

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is everything I would have wanted from a sequel. An emotionally charged story that fully leverages the franchise’s potential, whilst iterating and fixing some gameplay issues that make it a much more digestible and thrilling experience. In many ways, it finally feels like the true successor to Metal Gear Solid.

Read full review

4.75 / 5.0
Jul 22, 2025

We are dealing here with a game of absolutely the highest caliber in recent years and a clear favorite for game of the year. Hideo Kojima has once again shown that it’s possible to create games with passion, without following frequently used by video game creators paths and patterns, crafting a franchise that has no equivalent anywhere else. In terms of story, the sequel definitely surpasses the original, although it falls short due to the diminished threat from the emerged, which resulted in a loss of the mystery and danger atmosphere.

Review in Polish | Read full review

8 / 10.0
Jul 18, 2025

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is Hideo Kojima at his best. It stems from total creative freedom and the availability of resources, often resulting in a narrative that is unnecessarily convoluted and bordering on nonsense. However, it offers gameplay that does not change its essence but expands in every aspect, making it more dynamic, even if it is too easy to “undo” thanks to the unlimited arsenal of resources it offers. A gigantic playground for lovers of the first chapter: the surprise effect has worn off, but the feeling is that of coming home. At the end of the journey, you can't say it wasn't worth it.

Review in Italian | Read full review

Masterpiece
Jul 21, 2025

From the trailers and snippets available in the lead up to the game’s release, it was clear that Death Stranding 2: On the Beach was going to be a good game. What wasn’t clear was exactly how great this game would turn out to be. If there was still any doubt in your mind, let me be crystal clear – Kojima has absolutely smashed it out of the park once again.

Read full review