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Death Stranding 2: On The Beach
Released On: Jun 26, 2025
89
8.8
Where to Buy
Where to Buy
All Platforms
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 142 Critic Reviews
89
96% Positive
136 Reviews
136 Reviews
4% Mixed
6 Reviews
6 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 142 Critic Reviews
89
96% Positive
136 Reviews
136 Reviews
4% Mixed
6 Reviews
6 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
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.
Death Stranding 2 is the encapsulation of Hideo Kojima's ambition to marry films and games into one seamless experience. For the first time, it's not him emulating the cinema he adores. Instead, it's Kojima directing a vast, emotionally charged epic that others will imitate in years to come. It is a masterpiece of storytelling and game design. A peerless exploration of grief, found family, and all that we leave behind.
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 2,517 User Ratings
8.8
85% Positive
2139 Ratings
2139 Ratings
8% Mixed
189 Ratings
189 Ratings
8% Negative
189 Ratings
189 Ratings
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 2,517 User Ratings
8.8
85% Positive
2139 Ratings
2139 Ratings
8% Mixed
189 Ratings
189 Ratings
8% Negative
189 Ratings
189 Ratings
Another masterpiece from kojima. The story, the gameplay, the mechanics, the character development. It's all great in my opinion and a step above the first game. If you like kojima games or the first that's stranding this is definitely a must buy.
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PlayStation 5
What a fantastic game. I have been playing this game for 110 hours while I never felt bored or annoyed. I was eager to learn about the story. It is a perfect mix of a videogame, a movie and music intertwined. The balance is perfect.
This while I wasn’t able to continue the first game because I felt like I only delivered parcels and had to defeat big black monsters. Boy was I probably wrong. I feel the second part give a greater balance so its easier to enjoy and makes you cling to the end.
I had to cry in the end. Thanks Kojima.
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PlayStation 5
Death Stranding 2: On The Beach is a triumph in what it sets out
to achieve. This isn't a game interested in converting willing consumers
into fans, it's a game that takes bold steps in order to succeed what
came before it. If you needed proof that Hideo Kojima is still the titan
of the industry that he's hailed as, this game is that proof. I was left
truly speechless by the end, and I have a feeling that many others will
too.
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is confirmation that Kojima's radical vision was not a cosmic accident, but rather a new way of thinking about what video games can be and do. It is a game that trusts in the inherent genius of Death Stranding's central formula, and the good news is that there is no tension between these two perspectives. For those who fell in love with the original, this sequel is a deepening and refinement of everything that made that experience special. For skeptics, it's a second chance to understand a work that time has validated as visionary, with far fewer barriers to entry to embrace that vision. It's not a game for everyone, and it never intended to be. It's a deeply personal work about human connection, disguised as a futuristic delivery simulator. It's ridiculous and sublime, frustrating and transcendent, familiar and alien. It's unique.
Death Stranding 2: On The Beach feels more like a purposeful yet uncertain journey into uncharted territory. Building upon the core mechanics of its predecessor, it makes the delivery process less hardcore, offering richer possibilities in both combat and stealth. The series' iconic "delivery" is not just an activity, but central to its narrative. If you still believe that "connections" between people hold meaning, then Death Stranding 2 is a journey worth taking.
Like its predecessor, Death Stranding 2 impresses with incredible graphics and staging. The gameplay has been improved, and useful innovations have been added. Nevertheless, there are some features that disrupt the flow of the game over time. Fans of the first installment are treated to another masterpiece. However, Death Stranding 2 remains a very individual matter. Anyone who didn't like the first installment and hopes to finally immerse themselves in the dark sci-fi world with the sequel won't have much fun with the second installment either.
Death Stranding 2 isn't a bad game. It's a beautiful game. But it disappoints precisely where the first one was astonishing: by levelling out the difficulty, rendering the journey anodyne, watering down what made the original game a tough, unforgettable experience. Here, Kojima seems to have given in to the temptation of comfort and past criticism, delivering a game that is more accessible but less meaningful. Far from extending his vision, On the Beach seems to mark his running out of steam.
There is just nothing like this. 10/10 in every department. The cast, music, gameplay, story and more, everything is so carefully thought out and executed. Perfect.
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PlayStation 5
Just doesn't hit as hard as the first even though it's a better game. The story is still nonsense, the combat is improved but still not great, but the core of the game is as excellent as ever.
There's just something so satisfying about the delivery/build gameplay loop and Sam is a great character to enjoy this world as. I'm still not into the combat even though it's much much improved and feels a lot like MGS5.
The pacing still **** like the first game as the story is front and end loaded with the middle just being pretty empty. It gets tiring honestly, but then again the story is mostly nonsense and doesn't matter much. Neither DS1 or 2's story is my cup of tea but the theme of connection and isolation are cool. DS1 hit harder for me, however, as I played during Covid.
I also found the music of the first game more impactful as well. I think DS2 could have been great but Kojima went way overboard in the story (once again). It's weird and wild and wacky and that's great when combined with excellent gameplay but there are a few moments in DS2 when Kojima gets too ridiculous.
Come for the gameplay, struggle through the story (that never ends).
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PlayStation 5
Death Stranding 2 is an improvement in every aspect: story, cinematics, graphics, and gameplay. However, I still find the game unnecessarily long. Furthermore, the gameplay doesn't sufficiently encourage players to utilize the various transportation methods available.
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PlayStation 5
When I look back on my time with Death Stranding 2 I am troubled with finding what exactly did this game do this time around that pushed the game forward to make it deserve the 2 after its name. As it stands it feels to me like an expansion or DLC to the first game. I played on Burtal the entire time and never experienced any of the world events except what was scripted for a single story mission. Never once did I run into a flood that was too fast rising nor did I see or witness structures being wiped out because of these natural events. The game picks right back up with the same game play loop of go here deliver there but you get vehicles from the start which just takes any challenge out of the game and they never add a new mode of transportation that rivals just using the two main vehicles from the first game. Sam could just be a silent protagonist with how little he speaks along with his new companion Dollman. I was excited that Dollman would talk more about the world or to sam on his own throughout our journey but all you get is "Hey I think you dropped a piece of cargo" after falling and tumbling 3 miles down a mountain or a "Did you take a shower" when in your private room even if you did take the shower...I could forgive those moments but this story plays out like Kojima living on call backs to his Metal Gear games but done so cringy they will make your eyes roll all the way back. Tar man is missing a hand and then looks dead into the camera and says "I have a phantom pain" or the final battle is scripted like the end of MGS4 but holds no impact because there really is little to no build up to warrant it just for them to pull out the "Kept you waiting huh?" and "it aint over yet". Kojima even tries to pull the Old Snake crawling through a microwave scene at on point and it just falls flat in this game. This truly felt like a memberberries of a series that he is no longer apart and can't seem to let go.
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PlayStation 5
All the points just for the graphics.
Enjoyed the first. Story fails to capture the essence of the first imo. This one was too weird. Failed to captivate me now that I know the world. Just not enough to get you to do boring deliveries to progress. The Guitar thing takes away from any seriousness to the finale.
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PlayStation 5
Summary Embark on an inspiring mission of human connection beyond the UCA. Sam—with companions by his side—sets out on a new journey to save humanity from extinction. Join them as they traverse a world beset by otherworldly enemies, obstacles and a haunting question: should we have connected? Step by step, legendary game creator Hideo Kojima cha...
Rated M
for Mature
Platforms:
- PlayStation 5
Initial Release Date: Jun 26, 2025
Developer:
- Kojima Productions
Publisher:
Sony Interactive Entertainment
Genres:
