- Exhaustive analysis of all gameplay, narrative and technical aspects of death stranding 2.
- Improvements to the world, difficulty, combat, are detailed. multiplayer and audiovisual section compared to the first game.
- The article covers the community's feelings, controversies, and opinions to guide future players.
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach It has arrived to consolidate itself as one of the phenomena of the year, generating debate, emotions and conflicting feelings among critics and players. Hideo Kojima himself, creator of the saga, once again demonstrates that in the world of video games It's still possible to break the mold, surprise, and polarize audiences. This highly anticipated sequel plunges us back into a post-apocalyptic universe where connection and isolation, physical and emotional challenges, and the video game's capacity for reinvention intertwine.
Can this second installment surpass the original? To what extent does it maintain its essence and what new features does it really incorporate? In-depth analysis of Death Stranding 2 We've compiled the key aspects of the game, covering everything from its plot, gameplay, technical and visual improvements, difficulty, length, open world, and artistic approach, to the emotional impact and debate that always accompanies each Kojima release. Get your gamer boots ready: here's the definitive guide to fully understanding what Kojima Productions' latest madness has to offer.
The Return of the Carrier: A Plot Full of Emotions and Surprises
Narrative has always been Hideo Kojima's fundamental pillar, and in Death Stranding 2: On the Beach That tradition continues and intensifies. In this sequel, we once again take control of Sam PorterBridges (Norman Reedus), a man marked by his past and by the responsibility of connecting a devastated world. After the events of the first game, Sam enjoys a fragile peace with Lou, the BB he now cares for as if she were his own daughter, until Fragile (played by Léa Seydoux) reappears with a new assignment that turns her world upside down. This marks the beginning of an even more personal and emotional adventure, where Sam's father figure and relationship with Lou enrich every step of the journey.
The new mission takes the protagonist initially through Mexico (a prologue that functions as a tutorial and brief introduction) and, shortly after, to face the immensity of Australia, a territory as hostile as it is diverse, full of risks and challenges. The main premise remains focused on reconnect humanity isolated after Death Stranding, but this time the journey takes on new nuances: Sam must expand the chiral network, explore the secrets of BB-28's past, and confront the unforeseen consequences of uniting humanity. The plot also revolves around a philosophical debate about whether "we should have connected," questioning whether the bonds created generate good or bring new threats.
The secondary characters acquire a very important weight: Fragile, Deadman (Guillermo del Toro), Heartman (Nicolas Winding Refn), and newcomers like Rainy (Shioli Kutsuna), Tomorrow (Elle Fanning), and Neil (Luca Marinelli), among others. Each brings something unique to the game, and while some players may criticize the fact that they don't have as much development as one might expect, the reality is that they make up an unforgettable gallery of personalities and quirks that enrich the journey.
Regarding structure, Death Stranding 2's narrative is clearer, more direct, and less convoluted. than in the original title. Kojima introduces the , a quick-access encyclopedia where you can consult key information about characters, locations, and concepts from the universe at any time. This, along with the more dynamic pace of the cinematics and the option to pause videos to review the glossary, makes it much easier to follow the story, even for those who aren't familiar with the first game.
Although these improvements have been highly appreciated, a frequent criticism in various reviews is the loss of the aura of mystery from the seminal work. The "wow factor" is diminished by being more familiar with the intricacies of the chiral world, and although there are new concepts and threats, the magic of the unknown feels less intense. However, the new script manages to maintain interest and provoke emotions, blending action, drama, humor, and those "kojimadas" that combine the sublime with the surreal, from homages to Metal Gear to nods to popular culture.
A bigger and more challenging world: Mexico and Australia as new venues
One of the greatest successes of death stranding 2 It's a commitment to more ambitious and varied exploration. The sequel abandons the North American setting of the first title to focus on Mexico (as a prelude) and, above all, Australia. This change of location isn't just a facelift: the maps are much more elaborate, with an impressive diversity of biomes ranging from deserts and rainforests to snow-capped mountain ranges, tar lakes, cliffs and monumental craters.
The terrain becomes another enemy: environmental obstacles Corrosive rains, scorching winds, sandstorms, avalanches, earthquakes, and flash floods constantly threaten progress, forcing the player to plan routes and anticipate risks like few other recent titles. The introduction of a day/night cycle and real-time weather effects further enrich the experience, forcing players to adapt to changing environments and transforming every journey into an adventure.
El open world It's packed with secrets and optional areas, encouraging exploration and discovery. It's not your typical sandbox style, where you rush from point A to B: here, every obstacle is relevant, and improvisation is just as important as planning. The feeling of often being on an alien planet—due to its dense atmosphere and distinctive art design—is reinforced by the way routes change based on the participation of other players, changes in the terrain, and constructions made using the asynchronous multiplayer system.
Traveling around Australia is a challenge due to both its size and the variety of roads available. The game, however, includes: more robust vehicles (motorcycles, trucks, and a new upgradeable off-road vehicle), the monorail for transporting large loads, improvements to zip lines and ramps, and the presence of the DHV Magellan, a ship that can travel between nodes and functions as a mobile base. This ship, in addition to contributing to the narrative, allows you to rest, organize cargo, and make quick trips—albeit with penalties—making long-distance management easier.
The progression system also evolves: Sam now upgrades automatically and has a skill tree customizable based on play style (stealth, action, load efficiency, etc.). Each connected facility offers rewards and bonuses, encouraging experimentation and adapting strategies to changing circumstances.
Gameplay: refinement, challenge and creativity
The gameplay of death stranding 2 It maintains the core of the original, but is enriched with numerous tweaks and new features. While it remains primarily a "walking" game with cargo, Each journey becomes an open puzzle, where terrain, weather, weight, tools, and cooperation with other players make the difference.
One of the most notable advances is the improved interface and menu system. It's now much easier to reorganize cargo, quickly select items, drop extra weight, or change equipment on the fly. This fluidity is especially useful in stressful situations, where quick decisions can make or break a delivery.
The arsenal and gadgets experience a significant leap in quantity and quality: New exoskeletons, advanced climbing gloves, various weapons, traps, ramps portable, catapults, coffin-shaped surfboards, mines, and rails for transport. This team, far from trivializing the experience, expands the ways to approach each mission and encourages creativity, multiplying the replayability factor.
Combat and stealth, aspects that were considered weak in the first game, have been significantly strengthenedThe game offers more options for dealing with situations head-on, with improved weapons (sniper rifles, grenade launchers, melee weapons), armored vehicles, and the ability to leave the backpack behind for greater agility during confrontations. Human enemies are more numerous, and the IA More refined, forcing you to alternate between stealth and combat depending on the situation. Outlaw camps (replacing mules) pose a real challenge, especially on higher difficulties, and offer resources and vehicles if you can overcome them.
The stealth system, although it does not reach the depth of other references such as The Last of Us Part 2 or Metal Gear Solid V, It is much more viable and satisfactoryThere are specific tools for hiding, new ways to distract enemies, and missions that, by design, encourage infiltration, leaving it up to the player to decide how to approach each challenge.
The confrontation with the EV (Stranded Entities), the saga's signature spectral enemies, becomes more varied and tense thanks to the addition of stalkers, new variants, ghost mechs, and humanoid robotic enemies. Battles with these entities are spectacular and offer moments of maximum tension, although the final boss fights maintain a certain simplicity in mechanics, but with improved spectacle and difficulty compared to the past.
The social component remains an essential pillar. The asynchronous multiplayer system continues to promote cooperation: constructed structures (bridges, roads, charging stations, mailboxes, and watchtowers) appear in other players' worlds, reinforcing the sense of community. Rewards for repairing other players' structures, along with alert and support systems, are added, consolidating the idea that "death cannot separate us."
Difficulty and length: Is Death Stranding 2 a demanding challenge?
Contrary to fears, Death Stranding 2 doesn't lower its difficulty. It has four levels (story, casual, normal and brutal), and although on normal difficulty the challenge in combat is less, the true test lies in load management, route planning and adapting to environmental unforeseen events.
The constant pressure to deliver in perfect condition is intensifying: Fragile loads, water-sensitive packages, deliveries against the clock or with extreme weight They require fine-tuning your strategy and preparing for anything. The most dangerous routes are reserved for those seeking a greater challenge, with dynamic obstacles linked to weather conditions, the effects of slopes, and EV attacks in critical areas.
The optional content is very broad: The main story takes about 35-40 hours if played without exploring too much., but many players will invest between 60 and over 100 hours exploring side quests, requests, random events, rebuilding infrastructure, and leaving their mark on the map by collaborating with other carriers.
The design of challenges and rewards encourages exploring every corner, experimenting with alternative routes, and optimizing each journey. Side quests, unique events, and extreme challenges ensure lasting interest beyond the main story.
Technical and visual apparatus: an audiovisual work on PS5
One of the most praised aspects of death stranding 2 Its impressive visual and audio display. The Decima engine, developed by Guerrilla Games and customized by Kojima Productions, achieves surprising levels of realism in textures, reflections, lighting, and the capture of movements and facial expressions. The result is so convincing that in many scenes it seems as if we are in front of real actors.
Allows you to switch between of graphic modes: one with visual quality (30fps, higher resolution) and another with fluidity (60fps), both working perfectly in PS5Loading times are almost non-existent, and the integration with the DualSense controller (haptic vibration, adaptive resistance, and realistic sounds) enhances the sensory experience.
The artistic section shines: Australia has never seemed so alien and fascinating., with striking, detailed landscapes. The art direction combines action sequences, contemplative moments, and cinematic shots with a cinematic quality, where each setting has a distinct color palette and atmosphere that enhances immersion.
The soundtrack, composed by Ludvig Forssell with collaborations with artists such as Woodkid, Caroline Polachek, Low Roar, Silent Poets, Magnolian, and Daichi Miura, masterfully accompanies the game's emotional and reflective moments. The carefully curated musical selection has become one of the series' hallmarks, although some may consider it excessive.
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