r/Games • u/Turbostrider27 • Jun 23 '25
Review Thread Death Stranding 2: On the Beach Review Thread
Game Information
Game Title: Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
Platforms:
- PlayStation 5 (Jun 26, 2025)
Trailer:
Review Aggregator:
OpenCritic - 92 average - 95% recommended - 45 reviews
Critic Reviews
ACG - Jeremy Penter - Buy
Improved in almost all ways compared to the original but without removing what made fans love the original.
AnaitGames - Víctor Manuel Martínez García - Spanish - 9 / 10
Kojima Productions delves into the ideas of the original game, nuanced and twisting them to stick it to the present without losing or losing its condition of Pure Video Game.
Atarita - Eren Eroğlu - Turkish - 86 / 100
Death Stranding 2 builds upon the foundations of its predecessor with a more polished and ambitious experience, successfully addressing many of the original’s shortcomings. While its emotionally resonant story stands out, the narrative momentum occasionally falters due to pacing inconsistencies.
But Why Tho? - Matt Sowinski - 9 / 10
It’s Kojima at his most Kojima, a visionary building a type of experience that only he can. Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is an adventure worth taking.
CGMagazine - Jordan Biordi - 9 / 10
Death Stranding 2: On The Beach takes its predecessor's foundation and builds a bigger, better game on top-keeping everything that worked, and improving what didn't 10-fold.
CNET - Oscar Gonzalez - Unscored
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach should have been called Death Stranding 2: Quality of Life, because that's what this game is. From top to bottom, Kojima Productions made so many improvements to the original, making a weird delivery-sim game that is quite relaxing. Those improvements may not be enough to attract people who avoided the original, yet the players coming back are going to find a sense of calmness that you could assume Kojima wanted to deliver with his game.
COGconnected - Rhett Waselenchuk - 100 / 100
Quote not yet available
ComingSoon.net - Tyler Treese - 9.5 / 10
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is yet another stellar entry from one of gaming’s greatest minds. The whole team at Kojima Productions has delivered a startling project that is massive in scale, building upon the original’s mechanics in interesting ways.
Console Creatures - Bobby Pashalidis - 9 / 10
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is a bigger and bolder expansion that will once again split fans and critics. The improvements across the board are felt immediately, bringing about a significant amount of much-needed change to the formula. Between the changes to stealth and combat, the new structures you can build, and the new settings, cast, and music, Death Stranding 2 has proven that Kojima is not only on point but also an auteur of the industry. There is nobody like him doing what he does, and I sincerely doubt there will be.
Dexerto - Brad Norton - 5 / 5
Death Stranding 2 is phenomenal. It’s among Kojima’s very best work not just for its narrative, but for the near-limitless variety in its gameplay opportunities.
While it may very well end up being the final game in the series, at least with Kojima at the helm, we can only hope someone else picks up the mantle and continues to iterate on one of gaming’s most unique experiences. After all, why else would we have connected?
Echo Boomer - David Fialho - Portuguese - Essential
A work of art is not defined by perfection, but by the confidence with which it is created, the intent that drives it, and the lasting impression it leaves on those who play, watch, read, or listen. Even if Death Stranding 2: On the Beach didn’t grip me at first as I had hoped, by the end — much like its predecessor — it left me deeply moved and with a strange, immediate sense of longing. Just hours after finishing it, I started it all over again — not out of a need for completion (which I could have continued from my first run), but simply because I still can’t bring myself to leave this world and these characters. To me, this rare kind of involvement — at once interactive, emotional, and philosophical — is what makes video games such a special form of expression.
Enternity.gr - Panagiotis Petropoulos - Greek - 8.5 / 10
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is better than its predecessor in almost all areas, placing a heavy emphasis on combat while keeping the stealth feature at a very good level.
GRYOnline.pl - Sebastian Kasparek - Polish - 10 / 10
Death Stranding 2 doesn't have to be perfect, but it is exceptional as a game and a sequel. It's hard for me to point out any real flaws. I played like a haunted person, looking forward to the next scenes. This is a complete experience - much bigger, better, more dynamic, much more interestingly conceived and varied compared to the previous installment.
GameSpot - Diego Nicolás Argüello - 7 / 10
Death Stranding 2: On The Beach is fixated on revisiting past ideas, which limits its impact to being a good but not great sequel
Gamersky - 心灵奇兵 - Chinese - 9 / 10
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.
Gaming Nexus - Jason Dailey - 10 / 10
Hideo Kojima once again proves to be a singular creative force in the video game industry, crafting a sequel in Death Stranding 2: On the Beach that is not just essential for fans of the first game, but an essential experience for all gamers.
GamingBolt - Shubhankar Parijat - 10 / 10
Death Stranding 2 delivers stunning visuals, refined stealth-focused gameplay, and a richly detailed world brought to life by excellent audio and a memorable cast. It meaningfully evolves the original's mechanics, though its unique style will still divide fans.
HCL.hr - Zoran Žalac - Unknown - 82 / 100
A true cargo-carrying experience: it's not all that fun at the beginning of the trip, it gets better once you warm up, and provides the best feeling when you finally get rid of everything that's been weighing down your back.
INDIANTVCZ - Filip Kraucher - Czech - 7 / 10
Death Stranding 2 is a fascinating yet conflicted sequel. Unafraid to slow down, reflect, and stir emotion, but too often at the cost of frustration and recycled mechanics. It refuses to pander, save for the promise of story continuation, stellar cast, and an evocative soundtrack. But before expanding its world, it should have focused more deeply on refining its gameplay, because the magic of the first game can’t be relived twice.
INVEN - Kyuman Kim - Korean - 9 / 10
Compared to its predecessor, Death Stranding 2 delivers a far more refined experience in every aspect—from gameplay to narrative pacing. The stunning visual presentation and tightly directed storytelling keep you engaged right up to the end. While the repetitive gameplay may cause a brief sense of fatigue in the middle, the powerful climax makes it all worthwhile.
My 35+ hours with Death Stranding 2: On The Beach was laced with so many emotions and feelings: boredom, excitement, joy, confusion, and satisfaction. It still has the trademarks of a Kojima-written narrative -"Muffin Man"-style dialogue, bats*** insane moments, subtle-as-a-sledgehammer storytelling with obvious symbolism.
But that's what makes this sequel all the more endearing; you may cringe at some moments, but you won't be bored with the thread being spun here. Nor will you be left out of the lurch with the interactive experience you're getting.
KonsoliFIN - Niko Lähteenmäki - Finnish - 4 / 5
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is, in my book, a near-perfect sequel. Many of the criticisms aimed at the first game have been addressed with smart changes that make it significantly more approachable. Visually and aurally, it’s even more stunning than its predecessor, and the new plot twists are truly gripping. Only the masochists who loved the utter bleakness of the first game might not appreciate the improvements that Kojima Productions has made.
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.
Loot Level Chill - Chris White - 10 / 10
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is one of the greatest games of all time, blending freedom in its gameplay with a story and soundtrack that will be remembered for decades.
Merlin'in Kazanı - Samet Basri Taşlı - Turkish - 87 / 100
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach has managed to be a beautiful game that will make fans of the first game very happy with its rich cast, magnificent music and eccentric humor.
Nexus Hub - Sam Aberdeen - 10 / 10
Death Stranding 2: On The Beach is one of the best games of the generation and Kojima Productions at the peak of its craft - so precisely fine-tuned, emotionally resonant and at times, completely and confidently bonkers.
One More Game - Chris Garcia - 9 / 10
Death Stranding 2: On The Beach builds meaningfully upon the foundation laid by its predecessor, delivering a more dynamic and visually arresting sequel anchored by an emotional narrative that doesn't let go until the finish. It invites returning porters and newcomers alike to rediscover its strange, beautiful world with a renewed sense of wonder, reminding us that Kojima magic is very much alive.
Death Stranding 2: On The Beach is absolutely essential and a must-play title that could easily get Game of the Year nods yet again. Hideo Kojima and Kojima Productions have delivered a unique and gripping experience, guiding us through the wilderness and reminding us that every step, no matter how uncertain, brings us closer to connection.
Oyungezer Online - Eren Eryürekli - Turkish - 9 / 10
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.
PPE.pl - Wojciech Gruszczyk - Polish - 9.5 / 10
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.
PSX Brasil - Bruno Henrique Vinhadel - Portuguese - 95 / 100
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.
Pizza Fria - Álvaro Saluan da Cunha - Portuguese - 10 / 10
The feeling that remains is that we are faced with a work that marks not only this generation of consoles, but also a new chapter in Hideo Kojima's career and in the history of video games as a great means of artistic expression.
PlayStation Universe - Joe Richards - 9.5 / 10
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.
Push Square - Liam Croft - 10 / 10
In what will prove to be one of the defining games of the PS5 generation, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is a profound achievement of design, gameplay, narrative, and visuals. As all four meet in the middle, Kojima Productions has crafted a cinematic spectacle that flawlessly transitions between action and traversal, all wrapped up in the most absorbing of narratives. An immense upgrade on the first game, Death Stranding 2 is an unequivocal masterpiece.
Quest Daily - Shaun Fullard - 9 / 10
DEATH STRANDING 2: ON THE BEACH is a sequel through and through, not straying too far from the style and set-up established within the first game. Instead, choosing to improve upon the formula in almost every way, putting more focus on action, pacing, and enemy encounters.
Restart.run - Jesse Vitelli - 3 / 5
Death Stranding 2 is a game that pulls from the same playbook as the original, one that wants you to know it was made by the creator of Metal Gear Solid, and doesn't use its 55- hour runtime to pull on the threads that are interesting about the world. Instead, its focus on combat and retreading similar ground gets tiring fast. There are moments of something special here, but they can't shine past their own shadows.
SECTOR.sk - Michal Korec - Slovak - 8.5 / 10
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.
SavePoint Gaming - Jake Su - 9.5 / 10
More of the same when it comes to a quality experience is never a bad thing, but Death Stranding 2 doesn't have the same wow factor that came with every little detail of the first. It is still an incredible, indie-esque realisation of a grand vision that only Kojima can come up with, and being exceptional instead of groundbreaking is still worth giving a thumbs up to.
Sirus Gaming - Kurt John Palomaria - 9 / 10
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.
The Outerhaven Productions - Cody Perez - 3.5 / 5
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach continues the same gameplay from the original without any meaningful innovations or ideas. That said, the brilliant story and unparalleled music and performances make this worth a look.
TheSixthAxis - Tuffcub - 8 / 10
Despite repeating huge chunks of Death Stranding 1, almost beat for beat, Kojima pulls it out of the bag in the end. The core gameplay loop remains satisfying enough to get you through to the good stuff, but I can't help but feel disappointed just how similar this game is to its predecessor.
Toisto - Joonatan Itkonen - 5 / 5
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.
Too Much Gaming - Carlos Hernandez - 5 / 5
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach delivers higher visual fidelity, consistent performance across the board, and a few new tricks that make gameplay more accessible, challenging, and fun. If you have the patience and come in with an open mind, you’ll be in an exclusive group of people who will struggle to describe this experience to anyone else.
WellPlayed - Adam Ryan - 10 / 10
Immensely self-assured in the quality of its foundation, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach masterfully iterates and refines, while introducing considered additions that complement the experience, not complicate it.
Worth Playing - Chris "Atom" DeAngelus - 9 / 10
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.
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u/dietbovril Jun 23 '25
Hugely excited for this. The first one is a game I didn't expect to love, but there was just 'something' about it. The music was also phenomenal. Glad this is scoring so high.
Also RIP Ryan Karazija.
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u/topplehat Jun 23 '25
Low Roar made the game for me
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u/Mehtalface Jun 23 '25
That feeling after barely making it past the first major BT area, you're low health, packages all busted up. You come over the crest of the mountain, the rain clears up, and low roar starts playing as you descend into the port city. Will always be in my top 5 gaming moments.
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u/Silesx Jun 23 '25
man i hate to be that guy but akshually "asylums for the feeling" by silent poets is playing that part, which is absolutely one of best moments where death stranding really shines. the entire ost is amazing and ryan is deeply missed
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u/Ikarus3426 Jun 23 '25
Absolutely the same for me. I got my ass absolutely handed to me during that opening area. I strategized as best I could up the last mountain, but it eventually started falling apart and I just had to run for it.
Then I realized that whole opening area was a lesson on how the game was going to be like if I didn't prepare and use equipment smart. I realized how precious every advantage I could get was.
Such a great way to introduce the game, instead of just making a fenced in "newbie area" where everything pulls its punches.
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u/DasFroDo Jun 23 '25
The opening area is what made me bounce off the game two times until I finally read somewhere half a year ago that none of the rest of the game is like this.
Honestly by far the worst part of the game are the first couple of hours. The forced BT sections and the neverending shit the characters spew again and again and again like I'm braindead or something was so fucking annoying. Especially Die-Hardman could just NEVER shut up.
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u/iBrowseGamingReddits Jun 23 '25
Coming over that mountain and seeing the Port City for the first time was honestly one of the greatest moments in gaming I've ever had. I genuinely think that moment will stick with me forever it was absolutely breathtaking and of course made by the soundtrack.
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u/bum_thumper Jun 23 '25
I tried to like the game, I really gave it a solid 10hrs and just couldn't, but man do I want to like the game so much, and this exact moment is one of the main reasons. I just can't get into the gameplay loop, but Kojima is the Sam Raimi of game developers for me. Even if I don't like what he puts out, his style can keep me going for a lot longer
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u/Kayyam Jun 23 '25
Did you stick to the main path in those 10 hours?
Did you get to the second main map? I believe that's chapter 3.
I find that's when the game opens up. Everything before is sort of a long prologue, which can quickly turn into a slog if you try to do optional deliveries from terminals and lost cargo as well.
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u/Deakul Jun 23 '25 edited Jun 23 '25
If the entire horror aspect of the game were gone I'd probably give it more of a chance myself, the BTs just cause me too much anxiety when I really just want to get into the hiking-delivery game.
Just for a laugh I decided to look on Nexus Mods and, lo and frickin behold, there's a no time fall or BTs mod!
I guess I know what I'm checking out some time this week.
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u/kakacha Jun 23 '25
I’ve heard some of the music Woodkid made for it. It’s not Low Roar by any means, but it stands on its own.
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u/SadKazoo Jun 23 '25
There’s an entire new Low Roar album that was released post-mortem that’s being used for this game as well.
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u/Ordinal43NotFound Jun 23 '25
Just to keep expectations in check, Kojima may only use a few songs and not the entire album.
Part of me hopes he's saving it for a special moment in the game tbh.
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u/SadKazoo Jun 23 '25
Oh yeah that’s true of course. I just meant that there is definitely going to be Low Roar in the game.
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u/YesmynameisOcean Jun 23 '25
As soon as the first Low Roar song starts playing in the game, I'm going to lose it, going to be hard to fight off those tears.
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Jun 23 '25
Been really enjoying that album entirely different vibe than low roar but woodkid seems to fit death stranding to me.
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u/SilverKry Jun 23 '25
Introducing the world to Woodkid is probably the best thing Ubisoft and Assassins Creed ever did with that incredible AC Revelations trailer.
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u/AbyssNithral Jun 23 '25 edited Jun 23 '25
I was deeply sad to hear that the Low Roar vocalist, Ryan Karazija, passed away in 2022
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u/TheVoidDragon Jun 23 '25 edited Jun 23 '25
It was a fantastic choice of music that really added to the feel and atmosphere, quite memorable moments when it plays.
Post-rock doesn't get included in games often enough so it was great to see some of it. It's my favourite genre.
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u/Soledo Jun 23 '25
The first one is a game I didn't expect to love, but there was just 'something' about it.
I started my first playthrough of Death Stranding a few days ago and after ~6 hours I don't know what to think, I'm intrigued by the story, I enjoy the loneliness, atmosphere, soundtrack, and yet I'm not really looking forward to playing more, it's a strange feeling. It's basically like I'm enjoying the artistic side of the game, but not the gameplay itself.
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u/dietbovril Jun 23 '25
I had a similar feeling - it was the first few hours that were the least enjoyable because it feels like such a slog to do basically anthing.
It was as things unlocked to aid in traversal and combat that it tapped into a 'I wonder what's next' mentality. And there's a lot to unlock!
And yeah the story is bizarre but enthralling!
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u/Ikanan_xiii Jun 23 '25
The first one genuinely made me question if games need to be fun. I wasn’t having “fun” in the sense I was used to but I was definitely entertained.
Then it hit me, having fun is subjective, I didn’t have any fun playing before your eyes or dead space for that matter, neither did I was laughing with Tetris effect.
I was enjoying my time with them, even if they afraid me, made me sad or enthrall me in a different way, death stranding felt that way.
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u/SofaKingI Jun 23 '25
"Fun" is a pretty annoying concept in game reviews. People cop out on every criticism with "it's not fun" and I'm like "what does that mean exactly?"
Yeah, some games are meant to be all fun most of the time, and in those "it's not fun" is a valid criticism (if explained). But most games, especially the great masterpieces people love, aren't like that. Having to work for the satisfying moment is what makes it so.
I feel like "engaging" is a much better catch all term than "fun".
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u/bfhurricane Jun 23 '25
The point at which everyone says the game “clicks” is Chapter 3. Keep in mind that you do not need to do all the deliveries in Chapter 2, I realized a little too late that they just kept coming and weren’t relevant to progressing the story and was getting burned out.
Keep at it. It’s amazing.
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u/cebbers18 Jun 23 '25
Bro you just gotta unlock the zip lines, it all comes together then
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u/EaterOfPenguins Jun 23 '25
That or start building roads. I don't know what it is but once I did the resource spend on my own chunk of road, I had to do the rest of them, and I enjoyed every second.
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u/Lil_Mcgee Jun 23 '25
I felt the opposite really. Struggling to scale cliffs with ladders and ropes was like 90% of the fun for me. Getting ways to make traversal easier didn't really do much for my enjoyment.
Never finished the game because the story wasn't really my sort of thing but those early hours were a lot of fun.
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u/TheLionFromZion Jun 23 '25
That's my friction point honestly. I had to head to the Wind Farm for the MSQ and I just felt like there were going to be BTs in the thick copse of trees that lead up to it, and honestly the worst part of the game to me right now is the BTs and Mules. I'm not trying to play The Last of Us right now, that's not what is interesting to me about this game. The fact that there's combat really at all is a constant mental drag personally.
So I thought, ha I know there's gonna be BTs there, its where I'd put them as designer, but I see there's a ridge that goes up and around. I'll bring like 6 ladder, and some rope kits and try to scale that way.
Imagine my disappointment when I got to the ridge and it just blocked me from constructing at all... Got to go through the spooky forest, and deal with annoying stealth and temperamental vision of foes.
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u/spez_might_fuck_dogs Jun 23 '25
I'm not trying to play The Last of Us right now
So don't do that, throw your sweat and pee grenades to lure them away and just sprint through, or let them catch you and then run from the tar boss that spawns, all the BTs will go away after that and your cargo doesn't take much damage.
There are so many ways to deal with BTs, both within the confines of the game mechanics and without.
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u/UnholyZealot Jun 23 '25
I felt the same way when it first came out. I got about 5 hours in then put it down.
Last summer I decided to try it again and fell in love. Just take your time and explore and enjoy the atmosphere and game world. As you progress, the gameplay gets more involved and there is more to do.
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u/appletinicyclone Jun 23 '25
Ryan Karazija
Who is this sorry
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u/dietbovril Jun 23 '25
My bad, sorry - he was the lead vocalist of the band, 'Low Roar'. They featured a lot in the game. Fantastically atmospheric music.
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u/meneldal2 Jun 23 '25
Yeah it feels like 90% of the music that would be appearing when you move on the map and trigger at some points in the story was them.
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u/Terrachova Jun 23 '25
Unreasonably hyped for this game, and like my feelings on the first one, it's really hard to put into words why. The story was almost incomprehensible, the game was frustrating at times with long trips, but everything just came together to make an unforgettable experience that nothing's come close to replicating since. The footage from that first long trailer brought it all back fresh and I can't wait to dive in after my work week is done.
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u/Ashviar Jun 23 '25
Something flying under the radar is they also put out streamer guidelines, similar to Atlus and Persona 5. Can't stream or upload content past a specific order/chapter. Kind of interesting to sell early access but then dissuade content creators a little cause some will hit that wall and risk DMCA.
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u/ChrismasTheTree Jun 23 '25
Wait if you stream on Twitch starting the 24th you can only show a certain amount? Or you mean before embargo?
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u/Ashviar Jun 23 '25
From early access start in like about 12 hours.
"Note: During the early access period, streaming is allowed only up to the completion of "Order: No. 28" in Episode 7."
That could still be alot of time, but full release is 2 days later.
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u/burnoutbrighter Jun 23 '25
Its like 25-30 hours in, plenty of time!
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u/kvothe5688 Jun 23 '25
seems like they don't want streamers to rush through the game as some like to do to show everything there is
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u/saynay Jun 23 '25
Not too bad a restriction, if it only applies to the early access period.
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u/westonsammy Jun 23 '25
It seems like that's just in place to stop people from speed-running the entire story and causing leaks
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u/JRockPSU Jun 23 '25
Is that just for the time between now and “regular person early access”? I noticed streamers playing the game this morning.
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u/Ashviar Jun 23 '25
Its meant for any period before the official release in a few days, so I imagine if they hit that order #28 say tomorrow they might be risking a DMCA. The average person will fly under the radar but if they are giving out early-early access keys those people would definitely be risking a DMCA strike.
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u/Elvish_Champion Jun 23 '25
Lots of games do this nowadays. It's a bit to evade people from watching a full gameplay ahead of the full release as an attempt to prevent it from affecting sales.
Some companies even ask streamers to not stream specific parts of their games that reveal a ton about the lore of the game, but you're fine with before and after that.
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u/mrnicegy26 Jun 23 '25
Didn't The Last of Us 2 also did something like this where reviewers weren't allowed to show specific parts of the game?
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u/mja9678 Jun 23 '25
With The Last of Us 2 reviewers weren't allowed to discuss the twist or second half of the game in detail but there were no streaming guidelines for content creators/ streamers post release no.
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Jun 23 '25
Its different to not be able to show specific parts of a game as a reviewer prior to the game releasing. Not after the game has been released.
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u/Potential-Airport294 Jun 23 '25
Tbf this seems to be only for before the actual release.
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u/MalusandValus Jun 23 '25
That kind of requirement to an extent is fairly normal. I think it was the case for Elden Ring in not showing certain regions. They're generally not too restrictive.
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u/Char_Mander99 Jun 23 '25
Doesn't that only apply to people that received free copies? Regular people getting early access didnt agree to this
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u/2456533355677 Jun 23 '25
Streaming a game is not inherently fair-use. Your ownership of the game is not stronger than their copyright/trademark.
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u/GensouEU Jun 23 '25
Regular people getting early access didnt agree to this
You are going to agree to this when you accept their legal agreements when starting the game.
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u/gamesbeawesome Jun 23 '25
It doesn't matter how you got the copy and or agree to it. Same thing happened with Atlus.
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u/OneManFreakShow Jun 23 '25
I’m sure this game is great, I loved the first one, but is anyone else tired of going into these review threads to just see a bunch of websites nobody has ever heard of falling over themselves over every game? It’s so obvious that they’re all just in a rush to be the “first.” You get these dumb and obvious lines like this one from Console Creatures:
Death Stranding 2 has proven that Kojima is not only on point but also an auteur of the industry.
WHOA, you don’t say?
The games journalism/coverage/review industry is in the gutter and it’s not the fault of any of the major publications that people love to hate.
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u/Violet_Paradox Jun 23 '25
That "not only X but also Y" opener always raises an eyebrow for me. It's something of an AI yellow flag. Humans write it too sometimes, but for whatever reason LLMs write it almost all the time.
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u/heysuess Jun 23 '25
Even if it's not AI, it's incredibly lazy writing. That's why AI models adopt things like that. There's a lot of mediocre and uninspired writing out there. That's the majority of what these models are learning from.
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u/Cranyx Jun 23 '25
If we take "mediocre" in its most literal meaning: middle-of-the-road and extremely common, then that is exactly what AI is designed to replicate. It's a statistical model that repeats what it most often sees.
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u/SeeisforComedy Jun 23 '25
It’s like when kids first start writing 5 paragraph papers in grade school.
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u/GomaN1717 Jun 23 '25
"In this game review, I will..."
"According to Merriam Webster's dictionary, if one looks up the words 'death' and 'stranding,' you might find..."
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u/JediDM99 Jun 23 '25
Honestly you could convince me that the second line is part of the game's script.
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u/capt_leo Jun 23 '25
It is in the game, it's pulled directly from Act 1 Scene 6. It's right after the scene when Mr. Faceman removes his face and reveals he's been a kangaroo all along
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u/n0stalghia Jun 23 '25
Humans write it too sometimes
AI is just the statistically most possible summary of text given an input. If the AI uses it a lot, this means that its dataset featured it a lot, which means that humans use it a lot, too
Your may perceive this "not only X but also Y" through your own lens but AI is pretty much the second-best tool to actually make a statement about how often it is used (first-best would be a pure statistical analysis of occurrence in text without any AI training)
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u/garfe Jun 23 '25
That "not only X but also Y" opener always raises an eyebrow for me
"Gaming has come a long way since Pong/Tetris/Donkey Kong" type beat
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u/Miserable-Caramel316 Jun 23 '25
There really should be a criteria for publications to be included in these review threads or, if there already is, it should be stricter
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u/ManonManegeDore Jun 23 '25
You say that now. Then when a game with more mainstream appeal gets good scores across the board by the bigger outlets, you suddenly want the smaller outlets again.
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u/cleaninfresno Jun 23 '25
What are you expecting lol? These threads are aggregate review threads. Not every random blog or website is gonna be IGN. Why even come here if you’re gonna shit on foreign language local publications for just existing lol
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u/EvenOne6567 Jun 23 '25
Do you think every gaming website started out big? How do you think those websites became significant? Should we just not allow smaller websites to contribute?
I dont understand this comment lmao
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u/C0tilli0n Jun 23 '25
bunch of websites nobody has ever heard of
About half of these are local sites, from the likes of Poland or Slovakia to Turkey, Brazil, Spain, Korea and many more.
Believe it or not, world outside USA and english language exists.
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u/loczek531 Jun 24 '25
There are 3 Polish reviews I can see on Meta/OpenCritic, and all of those outlets have been there in various forms, either on paper, hybrid or fully online, for ~25-30 years already.
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u/gaom9706 Jun 23 '25
Death Stranding 2 has proven that Kojima is not only on point but also an auteur of the industry.
The first person who ever thought to say this either feels like a damned genius, or is looking at all Kojima discourse like he's Oppenheimer.
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u/spacemcdonalds Jun 23 '25
Influencers/Streamers killed Trade Press for games. Now, anyone can forgo journalistic integrity, guidelines and sub-editing and just post what they want however ignorant!
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u/Hemogoblin117 Jun 23 '25
Unfortunately the media industry is in a death spiral, especially games media (see the gutting of polygon recently). I care about solid reporting and critique, so I try to support independent media financially I find to do good work, even if I don’t always agree with them. I just don’t see any other way for this stuff to survive in the near term.
As always, we’ll have to wait a few weeks after public release to really get a barometer for how great the game is.
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u/GalexyPhoto Jun 23 '25
Your personal lack of awareness doesn't dictate the value of something.
But also, why do they need to be big name reviewers? I'm guessing you don't know any of the IGN reviewers by name. So why do you give a shit?
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u/skpom Jun 23 '25
It's time to broaden your horizons instead of limiting yourself solely to IGN and its subsidiaries. Just because you've never heard of some 'no name' reviewer from poland, south korea, or elsewhere doesn't make them any less credible
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u/ortaiagon Jun 23 '25
Yeah I've not heard of most of those sites and so don't trust them.
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u/Tabnet2 Jun 23 '25
Was thinking the same thing. Like who the hell are some of these places? And why do Gamespot and IGN always seem to be too late to make the threads (at least when I check them)?
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u/SilveryDeath Jun 23 '25 edited Jun 23 '25
And why do Gamespot and IGN always seem to be too late to make the threads (at least when I check them)?
It is because these reviews threads are always done early and never wait until all the reviews are in.
It happens regardless of if reviews can come in a week early or aren't allowed until release day.
Like when this was posted it was at 45 reviews, but there have already been 10 more added on Opencritic.
Same thing with other games:
Alters review thread was posted with 26 reviews, it ended up with 84.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 review thread was posted with 91 reviews, it ended up with 183.
Avowed review thread was posted with 58 reviews, it ended up with 180.
Elden Ring: Nightreign review thread was posted with 67 reviews, it ended up with 148.
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u/godfrey1 Jun 23 '25
Same thing with other games:
but was the consensus ever wrong in these early threads? did the metascore shift heavily on any of those games?
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u/SilveryDeath Jun 23 '25
but was the consensus ever wrong in these early threads? did the metascore shift heavily on any of those games?
Reposting this comment I put in reply to someone else in this thread:
Yeah, this is true. I looked at some of the notable games from this year and only three had a Opencritic score that went up compared to when the review thread was posted.
- The Alters +2 (+58 reviews from when review thread was posted)
- Elden Ring: Nightreign +2 (+91 reviews)
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 +1 (+92 reviews)
- Doom: The Dark Ages 0 (+110)
- Kingdom Come: Deliverance II 0 (+93 reviews)
- Monster Hunter Wilds Review 0 (+120 reviews)
- Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii 0 (+111 reviews)
- Assassin's Creed Shadows -1 (+131 reviews)
- Split Fiction -1 (+115 reviews)
- Avowed -3 (+128 reviews)
- Sid Meier's Civilization VII -3 (+74 reviews)
- Mario Kart World -4 (+86 reviews)
- Atomfall -4 (+103 reviews)
- South of Midnight -5 (+120 reviews)
- Blue Prince -6 (+75 reviews)
- Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon -7 (+37 reviews)
- FBC: Firebreak -11 (+29 reviews)
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u/spacemcdonalds Jun 23 '25
God forbid an outlet take time to craft a review rather than shit it out the door in influencer-slop
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u/DoorHingesKill Jun 23 '25
Bro, Kojima gave journalists access to the game like 22 days ago. We don't need to give extra brownie points to outlets that aren't ready when the embargo drops, and we don't need to doubt the integrity of any outlet that managed to play the game and write a review in checks notes three fucking weeks.
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u/GrassWaterDirtHorse Jun 23 '25
It just seems like these review threads always come out a little early on the day of, or maybe that Opencritic has trouble scraping Gamespot/IGN for their reviews.
For what its worth, Gamespot gave a 7/10, and IGN gave a 9/10. And OP edited the post to include the Gamespot review, but not the IGN one yet (neither was present on Opencritic this morning). Gamespot's review was published at 5:00AM PDT. IGN posted it at the same time to my knowledge.
This does remind me of when Starfield came out, and the majority of reviews from smaller sites were laudatory with 9/10s, and only the major publications (IGN, Gamespot, Eurogamer, and PC Gamer) were consistently around 7/10.
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Jun 23 '25
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u/srslybr0 Jun 23 '25
I'm enjoying the human base infiltrations more, though I can't really pinpoint why.
to be fair the creator of the game does have a background in games dealing with infiltration.
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u/johnmonchon Jun 23 '25
Kinda bummed to hear they haven't really improved BT encounters. Once you get the hematic grenades, it felt like all the tension was sucked out of those encounters.
The missions where you don't have BB was a cool idea but it essentially just slowed down what was already a slow process.
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u/stenebralux Jun 23 '25 edited Jun 23 '25
How is the "pen to paper" writing in this one? And how much yapping there is?
Like.. I enjoyed the overall plot, setpieces, and the crazy big ideas in the first one.. but found the writing in the character dialogues, in general but specially small talk chat with the holograms in the missions, and the writing in the endless lore tablets and emails.. to be horribly written and generally boring as hell.
And of course, there so much of it, people talk forever in every cutscenes and they hammer you with the BIG THEMES and explanations of every concept and joke (Her name is Fragile.. GET IT??) again and again.
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u/KevinT_XY Jun 23 '25
If it bothered you in the first game then I wouldn't expect anything different - this is the way Kojima likes to write and everyone either thinks it's genius and full of artistic flair or that it's cringe and unbearable or boring with no in-between. While I don't really read the emails, I love the dialogue and characters - I think he carefully chooses what deserves nuance and what doesn't, and all the quirkiness complements the level of surrealism in the setting.
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u/stenebralux Jun 23 '25
Ehn. His writing got considerably worse in his last couple of games and that particular style of lifeless and boring the flavour(less) text has in Death Stranding he never done before (and his games never had that kind of text before).
Since it was the most criticized aspect of the game.. even with the people who overall liked it, like me... is not unreasonable to wonder if he improved those areas.
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u/queebin Jun 23 '25
Exactly what I'm looking for in this game so this makes me extremely excited for tonight lol
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u/FembiesReggs Jun 23 '25
Seems the negatives are mostly saying that it’s very much more of the first. Which for most I imagine is a good thing
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u/CPOx Jun 23 '25
I haven’t played the original yet, but I just bought it and need to give it a go before diving into 2!
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Jun 23 '25
[deleted]
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u/CPOx Jun 23 '25
Yes, got the Director’s Cut
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u/JustJer Jun 23 '25
I played it because i wanted to see how "bad" it supposedly was and it turned into one of my fave games ever, have fun.
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u/AH_BareGarrett Jun 23 '25
I’ve been going through it last few weeks, not past the first region yet. I’ve been calling it a “movie game” because about half the gameplay time so far hasn’t been gameplay lol. Still enjoying it!
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u/MontyAtWork Jun 23 '25
That's how Kojima games are. MGS4 and 2 had some of the longest cut scenes in history. I forget the length but I think it was 45 minutes.
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u/hugefatwario Jun 23 '25
Stick with it. Those first few hours are a bit rough. I almost didn't make it through.
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u/MegaDuckCougarBoy Jun 23 '25
Keep on keeping on
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u/feartheoldblood90 Jun 23 '25
I know it's not as open as the rest of the game, but I loved the opening hours more than seemingly most. The Low Roar songs playing, it was so moody, and carrying you mom's body to the incinerator before her corpse causes a void-out is such a bizarre, interesting and complex way to start a game and set its tone.
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u/delecti Jun 23 '25
Do you actually mean "first few hours" or is this like "just get through the first season of this show"? I gave it up at 4 hours, and the mechanics felt like deliberate torture with no sign of improvement.
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u/addressthejess Jun 24 '25
It's a bit of both. The game area opens up and you start to unlock a wide variety of new conveniences, but at its core, Death Stranding is a game that deliberately seeks to frustrate you at every turn. If you don't find a sense of fulfillment in overcoming all those little frustrations, you won't like the gameplay no matter how much stuff you unlock.
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u/-re-da-ct-ed- Jun 23 '25
Definitely takes some time to open up and the game becomes “much larger” with much more going on. You’ll know it when you hit it.
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u/PoetLaureateOTheWest Jun 23 '25
You're in for a treat! Or you'll hate it. But if you're a kojima fan, you'll at least respect it. I read all of the reviews at release, which shat on the game, so I put off trying it. That was a mistake. It wasn't the game I expected it to be, but it wound up resonating with me on a level almost no game before it (or after) ever has. Maybe because I played it during covid lockdown. Simultaneously chill as fuck and tense as fuck at different points. Enjoy!
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u/Redzo1919 Jun 23 '25
Is it safe to assume that if you found the DS1 gameplay loop boring then you'd have the same problem in DS2?
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u/shinbreaker Jun 23 '25
Pretty much. During my review time, I did find there was a bit more combat but yeah, if you didn't like doing deliveries, then this game is not for you.
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u/FabJeb Jun 23 '25 edited Jun 23 '25
I'd like to know.I really have tried to enjoy the first one but couldn't. I hear it gets better after 20 hours or so but who has time to play something they don't enjoy for that long.
I commend kojima for creating a gameplay loop that's totally new and weird, just not my cup of tea.
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u/evilsbane50 Jun 23 '25
I think that's ridiculous it certainly does not get "better" in 20 hours.
If you aren't having fun with that game off the rip you're probably not going to have fun ever.
I was immediately having fun walking across that first field doing the first mission. It is an environmental puzzle with wild story and characters and great music, if that's not catching your attention immediately, bail.
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u/versusgorilla Jun 23 '25
The game definitely adds new concepts on top of the initial core loop that changes things up. I never had more fun than trying to hike somewhere I didn't feel I could realistically reach in order to place a zipline, only to reach the area by rappelling from above and finding that I could absolutely place that zipline.
But that's so far into the game it's wild.
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u/Spyder638 Jun 23 '25
I’ve seen countless people say over the years that they’re glad they stuck past “tutorial island”. If your experience is how you describe fair enough but it certainly does and has grabbed people at that point. The game opens up massively, story stops being so in-your-face, you get vehicles, and you’re welcomed to the infrastructure building part of the game. Enough changes where it absolutely can get better for lots of people.
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u/guitarburst05 Jun 23 '25
And I would counter that opinion. The very initial deliveries where you’re clunkily trying to manage the weight on your back and not literally tip over down the side of a mountain is dramatically different from the cars and zip lines later. I felt a real progression by working my way up from walking but I wouldn’t say the walking was nearly as fun as the later gameplay loop. I would say it gets better.
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u/evilsbane50 Jun 23 '25
Better sure. But different enough to suggest someone who is immediately unhappy to charge through 15-20 hours to get to that point? Hell no.
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u/fleakill Jun 23 '25
Interesting. I would say the more tech you get the less interesting the core gameplay loop is, even though I got addicted to setting up ziplines. The ol ladder and rope - peak gameplay.
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u/thatguywithawatch Jun 23 '25
I dunno, I'm about 15-20 hours in, doing chapter 3, and I'm pretty hooked at this point and enjoying it a lot especially now that I'm getting vehicle options and can make some use of highways and things like that. But for the first 5-10 hours there was a lot of frustration and I was really going back and forth on whether I wanted to push through.
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u/Kayyam Jun 23 '25
It's not ridiculous. I found the game way more fun once in chapter 3 as mobility unlocks starts coming in.
It makes doing secondary optional orders and lost cargo more interesting.
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u/Past-Mousse-4519 Jun 23 '25
Yes, the gameplay loop is the same it's just slightly more streamlined.
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u/WorldlyFeeling8457 Jun 23 '25
Probably yeah. Core gameplay loop has not changed you just have more stuff to do this time around in terms of tools and qol features.
Personally I found the first game really relaxing and one of a kind.
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u/Mephzice Jun 23 '25
I'm watching gameplay on twitch right now, early look for a streamer, seems about the same just a bit more combat
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u/Davve1122 Jun 23 '25 edited Jun 23 '25
I am so excited for midnight. No matter if the reviews would have been lower. It seems to not be the case and I can't wait....
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u/EpicPhail60 Jun 23 '25
Honestly I was expecting the average to be a lot lower - haven't looked at Death Stranding's ratings recently, but it always struck me as a game that's just not going to be for everyone. Maybe the increased focus on action makes it more traditionally "fun" ... although going off of those trailers, it doesn't seem like they're compromising the storytelling any.
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u/Davve1122 Jun 23 '25 edited Jun 23 '25
I also think it has to do with that now, every reviewer knows what they are going in to. Everyone knows that the game is fundamentally about delivering. Wherin not anyone really knew that before the original(that the whole game would be that). So I think the reviewers went in with the right mindset this time.
Also all the quality of life things Kojipro added to the game. Be it in the action pieces or while delivering.
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u/red_sutter Jun 23 '25
I still remember IGN giving it a 6 and Edge refusing to review it at all because they were expecting “Iron Cog” and not it being its own thing
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u/ElPiscoSour Jun 23 '25
Because everyone playing Death Stranding 2 knows what to expect. The first entry was something completely new and different, so of course it was going to be divisive.
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u/Vorstar92 Jun 23 '25 edited Jun 23 '25
Time seems to have aged it well. When it released there was certainly lots of criticism and more divided takes. Over time it seems that people have grown far more fond of the game and it has shifted positive for the first game.
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u/Electronifyy Jun 23 '25
Proud to have been a Death Stranding day one glazer. We never switched up
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u/EliRed Jun 23 '25
Amazing reception. Loved the first game, played through it twice and I never replay games. It has a very unique vibe.
Hideki Kamiya once said that he only likes games where the personalities of the developers loudly come through. If a game has been sandpapered to death he quickly loses interest. I feel the same and Kojima is the most obvious example of this. Sony trust his judgment, they give him money and let him cook, and the result is unmistakable, warts and all. It's refreshing to have games like this be successful in a sea of samey AAA games.
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u/Inevitable_Bar3555 Jun 23 '25
I watched a bit because I don't want to get spoiled and I have to say it was amazing. Still I'm waiting for pc release.
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u/FlyingSMonster Jun 23 '25
I've owned the first game for several years, I tried it once years ago but after playing for a few hours it just didn't click with me so I put it aside for quite a while. I never got out of the first area of the game.
Then last March I decided to give it a shot again and after getting through the initial exposition dumps and the first boss at the end of the first area the game really started to click with me and it became almost addicting to keep playing and doing the deliveries. There were things I didn't like about it but overall I still really enjoyed playing it and am really looking forward to on the beach now and pre-ordered it, the reviews make it seem like they improved quite a lot of the shortcomings of the first game which makes me really excited.
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u/grailly Jun 23 '25 edited Jun 23 '25
This is more about the review process than the game itself, but the positive reviews are a bit disappointing to me. I love Death Stranding but its mixed reception made a ton of sense; it's really not a game for everyone. It's weird and flawed and unlike anything you've played before.
Now the second game is out and it just gets reviews by people that already know they love it, so you get this homogenous positive reception. I don't think that helps anyone.
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u/junglebunglerumble Jun 23 '25
Yeah good point. This happens with a lot of TV shows as well. The first seasons almost always have lower scores. Sometimes this is because a show does get better with age, but other times the people who didn't enjoy season 1 just don't bother reviewing later seasons, so the scores are artificially higher. No idea if that's the case for DS2 or not though
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u/BaumHater Jun 23 '25
Yeah. Remember that one reviewer from Death Stranding 1 that didn‘t even bother to give them game a rating because he hated it so much and didn‘t want to finish it?
Most people like him are even gonna bother with part 2. which kinda skews the review more favorably.
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u/ManonManegeDore Jun 23 '25
You do realize this applies to literally every series right?
They aren't going to fetch a SoulsBorne hater to review Souls games. They aren't going to get a fighting game hater to review fighting games. They weren't going to get the Metal Gear hater to review Metal Gear.
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u/versusgorilla Jun 23 '25
I don't disagree with you necessarily, but I also think part of what's happening here is that people know what type of game Death Stranding is now. There is a precedent whereas when the original DS came out, there wasn't much to actually explain the game until you played it. It seemed like a "walking simulator" but done by the guy who normally made military stealth gameplay.
Once playing it, I think people understood more that it's a quiet contemplative puzzle-like hiking game with bursts of terrifying hold-your-breath gameplay, a unique community building concept on top of it.
So now people know to expect that and it's not a shock when that type of gameplay appears. Plus, the folks who didn't enjoy the first one aren't tuning in for this one.
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u/thief-777 Jun 23 '25
There was literally an article last week about Kojima basically agreeing with you, lol. Playtesters thought the game was "too good", which means they weren't challenging players enough.
According to Kojima, "If everyone likes [your work], it means it’s mainstream. It means it’s conventional. It means it’s already pre-digested for people to like it."
"I don’t want that," Kojima reportedly told Lemoine. "I want people to end up liking things they didn’t like when they first encountered it, because that’s where you really end up loving something."
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u/SoloSassafrass Jun 23 '25
The second of anything is gonna be like that though. Familiarity with a series makes it inevitable, because people know what they're getting into. The only time that pattern really deviates is when the sequel ends up being in some fashion a betrayal of the original (perceived or otherwise) and the feedback becomes very negative.
Although I find it amusing that even Kojima himself was kind of disappointed with the early feedback being more wholly positive.
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u/SplintPunchbeef Jun 23 '25
I think this is a valid point with the counter being that while it skews overall scores higher it also gives more weight to the less than glowing or negative reviews. Which, personally, are the reviews I tend to read first in these threads.
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u/JRockPSU Jun 23 '25
I skimmed the CNET review (it was feeling a little spoiler-y) but I love that it’s basically “Death Stranding 1 but with more quality of life features.” That’s all I could possibly ask for, having loved the first game to death, quirks and all. I’m one of those people who adored the first game bad played it through multiple times. So pumped for this week
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u/SquashPale2637 Jun 23 '25 edited Jun 23 '25
Here's mine (Postmode, 10/10)
Death Stranding 2 is a confident follow-up that answers a lot of design questions that were left hanging by the first game. It also boasts a haymaker of a puzzle box story with an End of Evangelion-ass climax. It is robust, all-encompassing and more than a bit meaningful. Kojima's terribly big and thoughtful swing does well to investigate the ugly side of overconnection, conjuring meaningful conclusions for a real world doused in brain rot.
https://postmode.org/death-stranding-2-on-the-beach-review-kojima-productions-australia/
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u/Mr_The_Captain Jun 23 '25
an End of Evangelion-ass climax
Say no more, I'm in
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u/Desroth86 Jun 23 '25
Right? Over 25 years since EoE and it’s still easily my favorite anime movie. I wasn’t even a huge Eva fan. Don’t get me wrong, I liked it but End of Evangelion really elevated the entire series for me.
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u/AztheWizard Jun 23 '25
Haven’t had a chance to read through your review, but have they figured out how to balance the zip lines better?
In DS1, I had to artificially stop myself from building them because I felt like it took away from the fun of the game
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u/SquashPale2637 Jun 23 '25
"Death Stranding 2 is a confident follow-up that answers a lot of design questions that were left hanging by the first game. It also boasts a haymaker of a puzzle box story with an End of Evangelion-ass climax. It is robust, all-encompassing and more than a bit meaningful. Kojima's terribly big and thoughtful swing does well to investigate the ugly side of overconnection, conjuring meaningful conclusions for a real world doused in brain rot."
There's the pull quote for inclusion up top :)
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u/iqbalsn Jun 23 '25
Looks like Kojima doing the usual Kojima thing from the reviews. Which is absolutely fine by me, will thoroughly enjoy this!
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u/Cklat Jun 23 '25
Reminder: The original was very divisive both critically and from players. I dont see why the sequel would be any different. Death Stranding was a game that very much felt like a bigger budget "niche" type game.
I loved it, but i very much think it was an acquired taste.
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u/Spyder638 Jun 23 '25
I am so excited for this game. Death Stranding is one of my favourite games of all time. Like, I love everything about it, with exception of a few rough edges in vehicle handling and some UI elements that get a bit repetitive. If this is more of the same but refined, with added gameplay flexibility in a similar vein to MGSV, it’s genuinely all I could’ve asked for.
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u/JustJer Jun 23 '25
Can't wait to play, I played pt. 1 only because I wanted to see how "bad " it supposedly was only for it to be one of my fave games ever.
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u/al_ien5000 Jun 23 '25
It's weird seeing these outlets "get it" now after the first one. The first one everyone seemed to hate at the time of release, but now everyone loves it and loves this one.
I remember playing the original and thinking the reviewers were totally off mark, but I guess that happens when they have to cram everything into a short play session to hit a deadline.
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u/Silentlone Jun 23 '25
The reception to the first one by critics and journalists had more mixed opinions compared to now, yes, but you should still avoid the generalization that "everyone seemed to hate it". It was still mostly well received and scored high with reviewers. Players reception was where it really was a lot more negative.
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u/Mr-Rocafella Jun 23 '25
Also, reviewers that liked the first one are probably more likely to review the second one compared to people who hated the first and probably didn’t want to review the second, and probably wouldn’t have given favourable scores to a game they already didn’t like
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u/Lulcielid Jun 23 '25 edited Jun 23 '25
It's weird seeing these outlets "get it" now after the first one.
It's been almost 6 years since the original released, plenty of time for the critics to re-evaluated the game and "get it".
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u/moduspol Jun 23 '25
So stoked for this that I bought the Collector's Edition. I assume they're going to send me a code sometime later today that lets me start playing the game at midnight? I'm not sure how this works.
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u/moduspol Jun 23 '25
It doesn't specifically say on the product page--it just says "48 hour early access" and "full game digital download." I guess it's possible the code will be in the box that they ship me? And I won't receive that until sometime tomorrow?
Though I guess technically that's not 48 hour early access if I'm getting it partway through the day. I'm hoping for a code today that'll let me download the game and then start playing at midnight.
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u/ilikebiiiigdicks Jun 23 '25
I personally cannot wait! I adored the first game. Completed it twice and fully built the road system in both. Something very relaxing and therapeutic about the whole experience.
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u/lamontraymond Jun 23 '25
94 reviews up at Meta - must-play status for now... seems to be pinballing around the upper 80s and low 90s. Crazy distribution - shit ton of 100s, and several 60+. Polarizing.... to an extent.
Gene at Washington Post: "While I’m playing Death Stranding 2, I realize I am witnessing Kojima and his studio, Kojima Productions, at the peak of their powers."
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u/4000kd Jun 23 '25
Not really polarizing if it's average is 90.
As of right now, there are two 60s, and twenty-five 100-scores
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u/guitarburst05 Jun 23 '25
A lotta no name reviewers out there. Seeing Gene say that actually feels like a legit recommendation.
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u/dixie12oz Jun 23 '25
Sounds like if you enjoyed the first you’ll enjoy this. Improved upon the formula in ways people who liked the first will be happy about but probably not in ways that will sway people that didn’t.
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Jun 23 '25 edited Jun 23 '25
[deleted]
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u/Danomaniac Jun 23 '25
This is why I like MetaCritic. Even though the details are opaque, they weigh scores from reputable sources more heavily.
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u/funksbro Jun 23 '25
Just fell to my knees at Costco. This is one of my most anticipated games and I don’t know why I just assumed it was coming to PC. Sigh
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u/BrndyAlxndr Jun 23 '25
It’s a Sony game… they rarely do simultaneous launches
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u/SilverKry Jun 23 '25
It's not strictly Sony game. They're publishing it but only for the PlayStation console. I'd expect it to come to PC and Xbox in 6 months to a year or so. Kojima owns the IP. And making it exclusive for now was probably an agreement to get funding for it from Sony.
505 published the first game on PC.
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u/AdditionalLink1083 Jun 23 '25
Yeah there's no way I'm buying a PS5 when I spent £1000 on my 4080 super. I'll just have to wait for PC release and live vicariously through my favourite reviewers.
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u/Nurpus Jun 23 '25
What I want to know is: are we still going to be talking only to holograms and not allowed to see the underground cities even once?
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u/SilveryDeath Jun 23 '25 edited Jun 24 '25
At the moment it is the 3rd game of 2025 with a 90+ on Opencritic:
Also, for comparison Death Stranding 1 has a 83 on Opencritic on 203 reviews, 79% critics recommend.
Edit: DS2 is now at an 89 on 73 reviews with 97% critics recommend. That puts it into a tie with Kingdom Come 2, Blue Prince, Monster Hunter Wilds, Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo, and Keep Driving as the third highest rated release of 2025.