Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is looking as promising as ever, positioned to continue the adventures of Sam Porter Bridges and his compatriots as they attempt to rebuild America in a post-apocalyptic world. But knowing Hideo Kojima, things likely won't be as straightforward and simple as that brief description, and audiences can almost certainly expect the unexpected when it comes to Death Stranding's gameplay and narrative.
Kojima's penchant for experimentation and reinvention begs an important question: just how different will Death Stranding 2 be from its predecessor? Based on the information currently available about the game, it looks like it will follow the same broad-strokes premise as the first entry, tasking players with delivering various packages and interacting with disparate characters and factions, but it also seems to be examining the actions of the UCA with a more critical eye, possibly questioning if its actions were worth the cost. This new narrative could have a number of unique impacts on gameplay, but one less-discussed element of the Death Stranding formula ought to receive a punch-up in the sequel, regardless of narrative context.
Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet Should Lean on Death Stranding's Brand of Weird
Little is known about Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, but it should learn from another Sony property for its tone, world, and story.
Death Stranding 2 Should Elevate Private Rooms
Private Rooms Have Unrealized Potential in the First Death Stranding
Located in distribution centers, bunkers, and safehouses that the player can construct themselves, Private Rooms play an important role in the Death Stranding gameplay loop. It's within these spaces that players can replenish their gear, recover stamina, change their loadout, and eventually even fast travel courtesy of Fragile's Chiralium abilities. There's an undeniable charm to these sanitized, Spartan safe spaces, which are the only areas where players may feel that they are actually at peace. After crossing vast expanses of unfriendly terrain and going toe-to-toe with BTs, gamers might relish the chance to rest in a Private Room just as much as Sam himself.
Private Rooms also allow for moments of levity and peace, as players can enjoy various musical tracks via the in-game media player, engage with superfluous mechanics like the interactive mirror, and even break the fourth wall, as Sam will address the audience both directly and indirectly, under certain circumstances. But the novelty of these frivolous features wears thin surprisingly quickly, and it might be wise for Kojima Productions to spruce up Private Rooms a bit in Death Stranding 2, making them a bit more engaging and rewarding to interact with.
Customization Options Would Be a Much-Welcome Change to Private Rooms in Death Stranding 2
Private Rooms are barren, practical, and devoid of personality in Death Stranding, and that's sort of the point: the world of Death Stranding is one where people are greatly repressed, and Sam himself is certainly not the type to spruce up his living space with personal artifacts, beyond minor trinkets like his dream catcher. At least, that's how one could describe Sam at the start of the game. Throughout the course of his adventures, and as he forms new connections with his various allies, Sam grows into a more open and emotionally attuned character, willing to accept his past and future, and softening to those around him.
This is the Sam Porter Bridges that players will meet at the start of Death Stranding 2, and so it would make sense for the sequel to feature a greater degree of personalization in Private Rooms, or their equivalent. If players could alter the layout of these living spaces, or decorate them with various collectibles they find during their travels, it would allow for a greater connection between the audience and the virtual environment. Moreover, it could be indicative of Sam's newfound emotional growth, as he is now willing to put down roots, as it were.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 90 /100 Critics Rec: 95%
- Released
- June 26, 2025
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ / Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Strong Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Kojima Productions
- Publisher(s)
- Sony Interactive Entertainment
WHERE TO PLAY
From legendary game creator Hideo Kojima comes an emotionally charged evolution of this genre-defying experience.
In the expansive open world of DEATH STRANDING 2: ON THE BEACH, countless areas with vastly different terrains and environments are seamlessly connected, and the changing time, weather and nature itself provide a variety of landscapes and challenges.
There are various obstacles that will prevent Sam from completing his mission. Face them head-on, sneak around, or completely avoid dangerous areas. Choose your approach to any situation.
Eleven months after the events of the original DEATH STRANDING, rejoin Sam and his companions on a new journey to save humanity from extinction and discover the answer to this haunting question: Should we have connected?
Join Sam for the next chapter of his journey as he attempts to connect Australia to the Chiral Network. Navigate a living environment through day and night cycles, natural disasters – including earthquakes, sandstorms and forest fires – and Timefall, a rain that instantly ages everything it touches.
To traverse this dangerous landscape, you’ll need to build new types of infrastructure, master specialized equipment and confront (or evade) the otherworldly creatures that roam the fractured world.
Face enigmatic Mech soldiers, as-yet unseen BTs and new boss types that will push Sam to his limits. As you prepare for each journey, you’ll be able to fabricate weapons like machine guns, shotguns and grenade launchers to deal with threats. Or, choose to avoid confrontation altogether with stealth – using decoy holograms, silent takedowns and long-ranged gear.
Through APAS enhancements, Sam can learn new skills that will improve his odds of survival, like enhanced weapon fire-rates or reduced movement noise to help him stay hidden.
The iconic Social Strand System of DEATH STRANDING returns to encourage asynchronous connection across the globe. Your in-game actions affect how other players interact with the world and vice-versa – so connect, collaborate and help your fellow Porters on their journeys.
Leave a “Like” on a useful bridge, donate resources to community projects, store field ware in shared lockers and finish incomplete deliveries as you stumble upon dropped cargo from other Porters. As you support other players on their journeys, your own reputation will grow, giving you access to valuable resources and new gear.
- Engine
- Decima
- Franchise
- Death Stranding
- Number of Players
- Single-player
- PS5 Release Date
- June 26, 2025
- Genre(s)
- Action, Adventure, Science Fiction, Horror, Open-World
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PC
