A bold and emotional journey in a beautiful and dangerous world.
Hideo Kojima is back with another mind-blowing game. Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is finally here. Just like the first game, this one also offers a mix of adventure, storytelling, emotion, and action. But this time, everything is bigger and better.
Let’s explore what makes this sequel so special in this full spoiler-free review.
Amazing Visuals and Smooth Gameplay
One of the first things you will notice about Death Stranding 2 is how stunning it looks. The game runs perfectly on the PlayStation 5. We tested it using the Quality mode, and the performance was excellent from start to finish. There were no bugs, crashes, or loading issues during our gameplay.
The graphics are some of the best we have seen in any 2025 title. The landscapes are breathtaking, filled with detail and color. From snowy peaks to dry deserts, every area looks realistic and beautiful. Even the cutscenes feel like watching a high-budget movie. The game smoothly blends gameplay with these cinematic moments, which keeps the player engaged.
Even fast travel and menu switching are quick and responsive. Thanks to PS5’s power and great optimization by the developers, the whole experience feels polished and immersive.
A Deep and Emotional Story
Just like the original game, the story in Death Stranding 2 is deep, emotional, and mysterious. You play again as Sam Porter Bridges, played by Norman Reedus. This time, Sam travels across Australia, trying to reconnect different regions and expand the Chiral Network. At the same time, he is dealing with personal pain and new threats.
The game has some returning characters from the first game, but there are also new faces with unique powers and emotional backstories. Some surprises will shock players in the first few hours of the game. Kojima once again tells a complex yet touching story filled with hope, loss, humor, and love.
Players will feel the same emotions as Sam. You will experience joy, fear, sadness, and even confusion at times. But that’s what makes this game special. The storytelling makes you connect emotionally to the world and its characters.
A Rich Open World Full of Variety
The game’s world is huge and diverse. You will travel through forests, rivers, deserts, snowy mountains, and beaches. The level of detail in each location is outstanding. Wild animals like kangaroos and emus can be seen along the way, and some of them have become dangerous due to the Chiral contamination.
There are also alternate realities that players can explore. These resemble war zones or sci-fi environments with new physics like low gravity. These sections add variety and action to the gameplay.
New Tools and Ways to Travel
Kojima Productions has added many new travel tools to the game. One of the coolest is the monorail system, which lets players ride between major areas. Roads are also back and improved with better vehicles and auto-driving features.
Players can build useful structures, and this makes travel easier over time. But collecting resources for these upgrades is still a challenge, which adds depth to the gameplay.
Nature Strikes Back
Death Stranding 2 brings a new level of danger with natural disasters. Players will face forest fires, floods, sandstorms, and avalanches. You must be quick and smart during these events. One wrong move could cost you valuable cargo or even your life.
These events make the game more thrilling and unpredictable.
New and Smarter Enemies
The game also introduces new enemies. The creepy BTs (Beached Things) are now stronger and harder to avoid. Human enemies, known as Armed Survivalists, grow tougher as you progress. They upgrade their weapons and armor, forcing you to change strategies often.
There are also new enemy types like ghost mechs, which are very powerful but cool to fight. Thankfully, you also get better weapons and tools to fight back.
More Combat, More Weapons
This sequel has more action and shooting than the first game. Almost every mission will test your combat skills. There are more weapons, and some of them use Chiral Crystals as ammo to deal huge damage.
Thanks to the DualSense controller, shooting and melee combat feel more immersive. You’ll also be able to control some BT creatures, use air support, and perform stealth kills with new gear.
Players can now choose how to approach enemies – either go in loud or take a silent path using stealth tools and planning.
Better User Experience
Death Stranding 2 also improves the user interface and gameplay systems. Your inventory, map, and menus are easier to use. Managing cargo, healing, or selecting weapons is now faster and simpler.
You also unlock tools and gear faster in this game compared to the first one. But don’t expect a quick journey. The map is much bigger, and some routes will challenge even the best players.
Side missions are important too. Completing them unlocks upgrades and materials that will help in main missions. Doing these optional tasks feels rewarding and adds more depth to the gameplay.
Smarter Maps and Route Planning
The 3D holographic map of Australia is a major highlight. You can zoom in, check the slope of the terrain, and find the best path. The route simulator warns you of dangers like BTs, floods, or enemy camps before you begin your journey.
This system saves time and helps players plan better routes, especially in risky areas.
New items like Time Shelters (which let you wait out bad weather) and Transponders (for fast travel) make the journey easier and more strategic.
A Unique Online Experience
One of the best parts of Death Stranding 2 is its online feature. Unlike other multiplayer games, here you never meet players in real time. Instead, everyone helps build the world together.
Players build roads, bridges, towers, and shelters, and these structures show up in your game. You can also help others by donating resources or building parts of structures they started.
The new Aid Request feature allows players to ask for help in battles or construction. During a boss fight, you may even see weapons or healing items thrown toward you by holograms of other players.
This feeling of working together with strangers is unique and powerful. It fits perfectly with the game’s message of unity and connection.
Price and Value for Money
Death Stranding 2 is priced at ₹4,999 in India, available only on PlayStation 5 and PS5 Pro. The price is normal for a AAA game, and for what you get, it feels worth it.
Even if you skip many side missions, the game takes around 50 hours to finish. That’s a lot of content for one purchase.
However, this game is not for everyone. If you liked the first Death Stranding, this one will feel familiar but improved. But if you didn’t enjoy the original’s gameplay style, this sequel might not change your mind.
Final Verdict
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is one of the best games of 2025. It improves everything from the original, adds emotional depth, amazing visuals, smart gameplay, and a fresh online system that brings players together without needing direct contact.
Hideo Kojima and his team have once again created a masterpiece. Whether it’s the emotional story, the stunning world, or the unique gameplay, this game has something special. It might not be for every type of gamer, but for those who appreciate a deep and thoughtful experience, this is a must-play.
If you’re looking for an emotional journey, full of adventure, meaning, and connection, Death Stranding 2 is a ride worth taking.