Death Stranding 2: On the Beach takes its predecessor to brand-new heights, as many of the concepts brought forth in the first game have evolved to become even stronger. The wait for Death Stranding 2 has finally come to an end, and as Sam takes on another journey with the help of his friends, both new and old, players are beginning to uncover a variety of hidden details nestled within the game.
Whether it's Death Stranding 2's meta references or the more streamlined traversal, the sequel isn't afraid to bring the first chapter's features to the next level. The first game had plenty of innovative ideas behind it. Between the concept of a Strand-like game and its mechanics, Hideo Kojima and the team at Kojima Productions made the first Death Stranding a testing ground for creativity. Many of DS1's features have returned, but one hidden mechanic that has returned in the sequel may still go unnoticed by a lot of players.
Even With More Combat, Death Stranding 2 Is Still a Great Cozy Game
Death Stranding 2 introduces more combat, but for those who enjoyed the first's cozy aspects, the relaxing atmosphere is still intact.
Death Stranding 2 Brings Back DS1's Adaptive Paths That Are Based on Player Patterns
Taking the Franchise's Main Theme of Connection to Heart
In both DS1 and DS2, the heart of the story lies in the importance of connection. Both chapters explore the pros and cons of connecting the world, but ultimately, connection is seen as essential to survival. Because of the game's Strand features, like leaving signs for fellow online players, DS1 and DS2 boast small features that offer a sense of community without actually being a multiplayer game.
When traveling between points of interest in DS2, if enough players tend to take the same route, a dirt road will form over time, with the trees and brush clearing out of the way. It's such a subtle change that the mechanic can easily be missed if players aren't paying attention. For many, it's easy to just assume that the road is an original part of the map, but no. It's the fingerprint of all the other players who have taken the same path, too.
Players can also create playlists with the game's music. New songs can be unlocked when completing specific missions or strengthening relationships with NPCs.
The Death Stranding Franchise Continues to Be Playful With its Central Theme
When noticed, this feature simply seems like a cool detail, but it also adds an even deeper layer to the game's overall story. This road mechanic serves as a reminder to gamers that they aren't so different from their fellow DS2 players. Enough people have chosen the same route that the game responds and changes based on those habits, and that's a powerful thought.
There may be more action in DS2, but that hasn't kept the game from honoring its original spirit. Sam's relationships that he builds throughout the story are his lifeline during a difficult time, showing how teamwork can make challenging situations easier. The road mechanic is an extension of this, as the habits of players eventually make traveling easier, since the path has been cleared off.
After dying in a boss fight, players are given a "Pretend You Won" option that skips the fight, so players can progress through the story.
This may not be a new mechanic, but Kojima Production has made sure to bring it back in a completely new and improved world. Compared to DS1, the environments in DS2 are far more lifelike. Whether it's a flash flood, a Gate quake, or brush fires, the sequel throws even more environmental hazards that make its road mechanic even more helpful than it already was. Connection remains at the heart of DS2, and it's wonderful to see small details like adaptive roads return to drive home that message even harder.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 90 /100 Critics Rec: 95%
- Released
- June 26, 2025
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ // Violence, Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Strong Language
- Developer(s)
- Kojima Productions
- Publisher(s)
- Sony Interactive Entertainment
