Death Stranding 2: On The Beach Review - Keep On Keeping On

Story and Characters

You'll notice that this section is light on details about the story. Really, this is a game that's best experienced blind. What I will say is that the storyline may well be an improvement on the original. The emotional beats are as strong as ever, the narrative is intricate, and the quirky cast of characters are delightful. Old favorites like Fragile and Deadman are back, and newcomers like Rainy and Tomorrow fit right in with the crew. Even the minor characters largely come across as likable. The preppers you'll meet on your journey all have distinct personalities, and you'll want to keep bringing them deliveries, both to max out their bonds and take advantage of the upgrades they offer.

Core Gameplay Loop

Which brings me to the core gameplay loop. As in Death Stranding, you'll be tasked with delivering cargo from shelter to shelter. Like the original, the soundtrack really gives things a triumphant feel, so even walking feels epic. The environment is more diverse than the original, so it feels like you're exploring a new biome every few hours. Outside of the story, there's a wonderfully meditative quality to this aspect. You may well take a few hours just driving through a small section of the map dropping off cargo. However, this does lead to the odd moment of frustration where you can't seem to max out a shelter's bond.

Combat and Action

Of course, there's plenty of action. You have more options to take on your foes than in Death Stranding, whether that's stealth or combat. There are some new weapons this time around, including a ludicrously fun boomerang, so combat is never a chore. Shooting someone with a bola gun, then decking them, somehow feels fresh even after 40 hours. The environment itself is also a hazard. There are frequent gate quakes, sandstorms, whiteouts, flash floods, and even wildfires, so you'll often need to reevaluate your plans on the go.

Exploration and Navigation

Part of the joy of the game is making a difficult journey, but it's always worth planning carefully to avoid the all-too-common occurrence of taking the path less travelled and damaging some precious cargo, only to find a relatively easy path to your starting point. Despite the new hazards, the map is somewhat easier to navigate, especially when you link new areas to the network. It feels like you're always making progress, but it's always worth taking your time to make future journeys quicker. There's one particular mountain range you'll spend hours navigating, but a few ziplines will make it far easier.

Graphics and Technical Performance

Graphically, the game is gorgeous and takes full advantage of the PS5's capabilities. The environments are more varied than in Death Stranding, and the character models are beautiful. Of course, saying that a Hideo Kojima game is beautiful is par for the course. There were a few glitches (a zipline that travelled through solid rock, some clipping here and there), but nothing extreme enough to ruin the experience.

Narrative Complexity

However, that does bring me to a problem all too familiar with Hideo Kojima fans: it's complicated. For roughly the first 90% of the game, things are fine, but it does eventually reach the point where you'll hear a knock on the door, and suddenly the story has advanced several insane beats. It makes sense in that dream logic way, but it's also the sort of game that requires dedication and attention. There are also a few loose ends and red herrings that feel a little anticlimactic. However, I never found myself questioning the strength of Sam's relationships; crucial, in a game ultimately about those bonds.

• Pros: Streamlined gameplay, Engaging storyline and characters, Gorgeous design
• Cons: An oddly disconnected map, Occasional visual glitches, Poor signposting