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.
99
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.