As a gamer eagerly anticipating Death Stranding 2, I reflect on my history with Kojima.
Hideo Kojima and I have had a pretty solid relationship since way back in 1998. I remember seeing Metal Gear Solid for the first time at a friend’s house and being instantly sucked into that world.
That’s the thing—Hideo set out to blur the line between video games and cinema, and he’s done exactly that again in the new installment of the highly anticipated Death Stranding 2.
Story Overview
The first Death Stranding blew my mind with its unique gameplay, bold storytelling, and absolutely gorgeous visuals. The sequel, DS2, has definitely raised the bar considerably.
On the Beach is set 11 months after the events of the first game. Sam (Norman Reedus) is now living a quiet life with his adopted daughter, Lou. But that’s about to change as Fragile (played by Léa Seydoux) asks Sam to cross the former U.S.–Mexico border and activate the chiral network terminals BRIDGES left behind in Mexico…
Without giving too much away (in case you’re planning to play DS2), events lead you to Australia, where you begin connecting isolated survivors and colonies to the wireless communications “chiral” network in order to save humanity from extinction.
Sounds easy enough, right?
Wrong.
The story in Death Stranding 2 is packed with amazing performances and unexpected twists. And yes—it can get strange and weird. I was absolutely blown away by the first encounter with Neil (Luca Marinelli). The opening scene with the bikes and fireworks is genius. And Troy Baker as Higgs in DS2? He pretty much stole the show for me.
Gameplay & Combat
The gameplay is solid. You’re still delivering cargo and packages to colonies and people outside the chiral network. Once you make deliveries, you begin bringing them online. I found everything to be clearer, more straightforward, and dare I say, even faster than in the first game.
You definitely feel this shift as missions open up, with more and more combat elements being introduced.
Combat has been dramatically improved in DS2. It feels faster, and you have a wider range of tools and gear to experiment with. It’s really up to you how to tackle each mission: go in guns blazing, or take a more stealthy approach, especially in Death Stranding 2 where choices matter.
Boss Fights & Progression
Boss fights are super imaginative—some of them are just plain wild. And yes, you can skip them and continue the story… but don’t do it (lol).
Upgrading is simple enough, though it can feel overwhelming at times when deciding what to fabricate and which perks suit your play style when assigning skill points.
Visuals & World-Building
The environments and scenery in Death Stranding 2 are absolutely stunning, with incredible attention to detail. The weather system is intense, ranging from rain and desert storms to earthquakes (which, okay, aren’t technically weather—but still).
Later on, you unlock Real-Time Weather Tracking, which is a cool touch.
Soundtrack
One thing I really want to mention is the outstanding soundtrack. The score, created by artist Woodkid, is a powerhouse of emotion. The whole album just hits different.
Final Verdict
Overall, I think Hideo and the team at Kojima Productions have delivered another incredible example of what gaming can be—and where the industry is heading in the next generation.
They’ve focused on telling a deep, meaningful story about what makes us human, what connects us, and—without sounding toooo cheesy—what we can do to keep those connections alive.
This is more than just a game.
It’s an experience you need to try for yourself, especially for fans of the sequel, Death Stranding 2.
On a side note: Getting major Metal Gear Solid V vibes while playing this.
9/10
