Death Stranding 2: On The Beach has been out for over two weeks now and has received overwhelmingly positive reviews from critics and players alike. Many fans have already completed the game, and a few have even gone the extra mile to earn the coveted Platinum Trophy.
As for me, I’m currently in Chapter 7 and completely immersed in the experience. I’ve found myself taking my time, getting lost in the beautifully crafted world, and fully engaging with optional quests and activities. Whether it’s building roads, upgrading structures, or simply exploring, the game continues to pull me in with its unique atmosphere and rewarding gameplay loop.
Death Stranding 2: On The Beach Improves The Formula
If you enjoyed the original Death Stranding, the sequel is an easy recommendation. From my experience so far, it’s immediately clear how much more refined and streamlined the systems are in Death Stranding 2: On The Beach.
One of the biggest improvements is the user interface. In the first game, I often found myself endlessly digging through menus and repeatedly holding the “X” button to confirm every minor change. Now, the UI is cleaner, more intuitive, and packed with helpful shortcuts that significantly reduce time spent navigating menus.
Need to optimize your cargo? Simply hold the D-pad up to bring up a quick-access menu that allows you to make adjustments with a single button press. It’s small changes like this that make the overall experience feel much smoother and more enjoyable.
He’s Beginning To Believe
The core gameplay loop of Death Stranding 2: On The Beach remains familiar to fans of the original. You’ll still spend most of your time delivering packages between facilities, upgrading infrastructure, and clearing out MULE camps and BTs when necessary.
However, the sequel significantly improves the overall flow of content and narrative pacing. The story progresses more smoothly, and combat feels more deliberate and rewarding. In the original game, it often felt best to avoid conflict unless you absolutely needed something from an enemy camp.
In Death Stranding 2, that dynamic has shifted. Sam now has access to a wider variety of tools, including multiple firearms and grenades, making combat a more viable and satisfying option. He’s also more proficient in close-quarters combat, learning new hand-to-hand techniques, especially if you take the time to build a strong connection with the Pizza Chef.
These enhancements make the experience feel more dynamic and engaging, offering returning players a fresh take on the delivery-driven world Kojima has built.
Review In Progress
There’s still so much more I could say about Death Stranding 2: On The Beach—from its stunning visuals to its consistently smooth performance. However, I’ll be saving my full impressions for the complete review, which I plan to write after finishing the game.
I’m not entirely sure when I’ll roll the credits, as I don’t want to rush the experience. It’s rare these days to feel truly immersed in a game, especially with the nonstop wave of new releases. Death Stranding 2 is one of those titles that deserves to be savored.
I’m also currently reviewing another game at the same time, so I appreciate your patience. Rest assured, my full and final thoughts on Death Stranding 2: On The Beach will be published soon—stay tuned!
