REVIEW: Death Stranding 2 shows why Hideo Kojima is a genius

Since he separated from Konami, Hideo Kojima embarked on a new phase as an independent developer and released Death Stranding, a unique experience that blended cinematic storytelling with contemplative gameplay. Starring stars such as Norman Reedus, Mads Mikkelsen and Léa Seydoux, the game won a legion of fans and divided critics. Now, six years later, Death Stranding 2: On The Beach promises to deepen this journey with even more ambition, but will Sam Bridges' new adventure be able to live up to expectations and justify his return? Check out our analysis below. death stranding 2.

History

Since the times of Metal Gear, Hideo Kojima demonstrated a strong cinematic vocation when narrating his stories, a characteristic that reached its peak in Death Stranding, featuring renowned stars such as Norman Reedus, Léa Seydoux and Mads Mikkelsen. This striking style continues in Death Stranding 2: On The Beach, keeping the stellar cast and delivering a direct sequel. The narrative is fascinating, full of impressive moments, but it remains with that same intriguing and sometimes confusing tone, typical of Kojima's works.

Regarding the story of death stranding 2, the game reuses a lot of the elements already introduced in the first title. Although there is a brief recap available to help new players get started, many specific events, characters and contexts will have a deeper impact on those who are already familiar with the universe. This does not make the experience unfeasible for newcomers, however, it is clear that immersion and understanding are more enriched for those who followed Sam Bridges' original journey.

Though death stranding 2 presents a more refined narrative, some of Kojima's usual quirks persist. The narrative's overexposition is evident, with characters constantly repeating important information. Furthermore, many dialogues have an awkward feel due to Sam Bridges' passivity, often limiting himself to listening while other characters detail crucial events. Another recurring vice of the director is his literalness, resulting in overly obvious character names and powers.

On the other hand, whoever appreciated the proposal of the first Death Stranding will certainly find value in the second game. The core themes have been retained, now expanded on an even larger scale and with much more elaborate cinematics. However, Kojima has not simplified the narrative to appeal to a wider audience, maintaining its characteristic complexity. As a result, players may need to occasionally access the game's internal encyclopedia to fully understand certain elements of the story.

Even with Kojima's occasional narrative exaggerations, his ability to build characters remains impeccable in death stranding 2. The returning protagonists from the previous adventure present deeper and more developed layers, while the new faces introduced are equally captivating. It is precisely these characters that sustain and enrich the narrative, since following their interactions, dilemmas and emotional development throughout the story is what makes the experience truly engaging.

Among the new additions, Neil Vana, a character who from the first trailers was very reminiscent of the iconic Solid Snake, is one of the highlights. Played by Luca Marinelli, an actor who Kojima had previously declared to be perfect for the role of the legendary soldier, Vana quickly captures attention. Although it is curious that, in almost all of his appearances, he has to wear the headband in an obvious reference to the series. Metal Gear, the character has his own charisma, and his battles are certainly among the most exciting and memorable moments in the game.

So, even with its ups and downs, the narrative of Death Stranding 2: On The Beach It is enough to attract players' attention for a long time, but even though it is more ambitious, it does not try to innovate in some aspects, on the contrary, it maintains the same structure as the first one. Therefore, those who already like it will love this new narrative, however, it will not please those who are already wary. 

Gameplay

The gameplay of Death Stranding 2: On The Beach maintains the same basic loop as the first game, with Sam Bridges focused primarily on making deliveries while facing challenges along the way. These obstacles include the complex topology of the environment, enemies, and adverse weather conditions. As such, for the most part, players will be traversing difficult terrain, now with the mission of initially connecting Mexico and later Australia, instead of the United States as in the previous title.

In the early hours of the game, deliveries can feel overwhelming, as Sam doesn’t yet have access to many of the resources that make his travels easier. However, as missions are completed, new equipment and vehicles are unlocked, making deliveries significantly easier. Interestingly, as these resources become available, so does the desire to explore the game’s open world, transforming what was once a frustrating challenge into a more enjoyable and rewarding activity.

While the main mission offers a unique charm, the side missions are notably simpler, basically revolving around the same cycle: finding items scattered around the environment and delivering them to various characters. The big draw of these additional tasks ends up being seeing which celebrities or personalities Hideo Kojima has convinced to participate in the game. Some of these participations are quite surprising, and are fun precisely because of the unexpected “celebrity” factor involved.

The part of the gameplay that has undergone the biggest improvements in death stranding 2 was, without a doubt, the combat and action elements. Dealing with enemies is now a fun task thanks to the new options added to Sam's arsenal. It is possible to adopt different approaches during conflicts, whether it is to confront them directly, using stealth techniques, or even avoiding confrontation altogether and fighting only when absolutely necessary due to story demands.

Expanding on this issue further, boss combat in death stranding 2 is one of the most interesting aspects of the game. Although not all battles are particularly difficult, the concept and narrative behind these encounters are extremely well developed. As a result, some fights are not enjoyable simply because of their difficulty or the feeling of overcoming a challenge, but rather because of the way they are constructed and presented, resulting in truly memorable moments within the experience.

Regarding the overall difficulty of the gameplay, it doesn't feel like a huge challenge most of the time. The most complicated moments usually arise when the vehicle gets stuck on difficult terrain or when a wrong route is chosen to make a delivery. Even with the notable improvements in combat, the battles remain accessible and don't present any major barriers, which can please or disappoint depending on the player's profile.

Finally, it is worth highlighting that death stranding 2 maintains the online elements already known from the first game. Although these features make the experience easier, since the buildings made by other players greatly help in exploring the map, they are also a fundamental part of Kojima's original proposal. Playing without these features would make the game more challenging, but at the same time, it would remove an essential layer of the themes of connection and cooperation idealized by the director.

Performance and graphics

The artistic direction of Death Stranding 2: On The Beach remains exceptional, delivering scenarios that impress with their beauty and level of detail. Moments of pure contemplation, such as climbing a mountain and enjoying the panorama from the top, offer a memorable experience that few games provide, similar to the unique sensation in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Furthermore, the surrealist elements characteristic of Kojima's works are still present, adding an intriguing and creative dimension to the title.

Complementing the excellent artistic direction, the quality of the textures in death stranding 2 impresses in the same way. Despite the huge maps, the game maintains a rigorous attention to detail, providing a consistent visual experience rich in depth. Each setting, from arid deserts and lush forests to coastal regions, has unique characteristics that enrich the exploration experience, so the developers paid close attention to these details, especially considering that the landscapes of Australia are quite different from those seen in North America.

Still, it's noticeable that some environments have received more careful treatment than others, especially during boss fights. A notable highlight is Neil Vana's first appearance, set in a setting that resembles an amusement park consumed by flames, creating one of the most beautiful scenes in the entire game. While other environments are simpler in comparison, this doesn't detract from the overall quality of the game, maintaining a high visual standard and an artistic coherence that permeates the entire experience.

The technical performance is also worth mentioning, especially considering the ambitious scope of the game. Playing on a PlayStation 5 base, performance remains consistently high, even in intense situations with multiple enemies simultaneously on screen. The game's stability is surprising, reflecting well-executed optimization and ensuring a fluid and enjoyable experience, without noticeable drops that could harm player immersion.

However, when choosing the mode that prioritizes visual quality, it is possible to notice more evident drops in performance. Although the graphical improvement is visible in some lighting elements and textures, the impact on performance ends up not compensating for these gains. Fluidity is compromised at key moments, making performance mode the most recommended choice for those looking for a more stable and responsive experience.

Although the graphics during gameplay are already impressive, the cutscenes reveal the true visual excellence of death stranding 2. These sequences are detailed, visually lush, and further reinforce Hideo Kojima's passionate cinematic style. Watching the cutscenes is a rewarding and immersive experience, but it is important that players are prepared, as some of these scenes can be quite lengthy, requiring patience and extra attention.

In addition to their impeccable technical quality, the cutscenes stand out especially for their engaging and varied narrative. Throughout the game, the scenes alternate between calm and light moments, with friendly interactions between characters, and dramatic and emotionally intense moments, capable of deeply touching those watching. This narrative diversity enriches the overall experience, ensuring that each cutscene contributes significantly to the player's involvement with the plot.

Soundtrack

One of the most attractive aspects of gaming Hideo Kojima has always been the careful way he selects the songs for his works, often giving space to smaller or independent bands, something clearly noticeable in the first Death Stranding. In Death Stranding 2: On The Beach, this tradition remains strong, delivering an exceptional soundtrack that stands out as one of the best elements of the game, especially when accompanying the player on long and contemplative journeys through the scenario.

The musical selection of DS2 is excellent, with virtually no flaws. From the vocal-heavy music that appears at key moments in Sam Bridges' journey, to the instrumental tracks carefully used to set the tone for the most dramatic scenes, everything works harmoniously. This sound experience, when combined with the artistic and narrative direction, significantly elevates the impact and overall quality of the game.

One of the best mechanics introduced in death stranding 2 is the ability to create custom playlists. After helping a musician character in the game, Sam gains access to a tool that allows him to customize the songs he plays during his travels around the map. Although there are limitations, such as not working in areas not yet connected to the chiral network or specific moments with predefined soundtracks, this feature is extremely welcome and should become more common in other games of the genre.

Price and availability

Death Stranding 2: On The Beach is available exclusively for PlayStation 5 and can be purchased for R$349,99 at PlayStation Store, in its digital version. The same value is also practiced in physical stores such as Amazon, where the game is available on physical media. So far, there are no confirmed versions for other platforms.

Conclusion

Death Stranding 2: On The Beach clearly demonstrates why Hideo Kojima is considered one of the most brilliant and creative minds in the video game industry. Some of the choices made by the developer seem strange or even unusual, something that would be hard to see in any other AAA title, but Kojima has the courage and boldness to embrace these unique concepts, making them fundamental to the player's experience. Even with small mistakes along the way, the creator's genius ensures that the game delivers something truly memorable.

Although the narrative has some specific problems with pacing or excessive exposition, it remains exciting and engaging, especially for those who enjoyed the story of the first game. The gameplay, thanks to the improvements introduced, is satisfactory and much more refined, especially in the action and combat scenes. In short, Kojima proves once again that his unique vision may divide opinions, but it will certainly continue to win over fans and redefine the limits of video games.

And you, what did you think of our review? death stranding 2? Tell us in the comments!

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Text revised by Alexandre Marques in 22 / 06 / 2025.