Death Stranding 2: On the Beach retains its satisfying delivery gameplay but falters with a slower narrative and a shift to action that undermines the original's unique tension. It's a journey bound by its past, losing some of its novelty.
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach follows its predecessor by retaining the core foundation of methodical deliveries that require careful planning and improvisation. The satisfaction of connecting a fractured world, step by step, remains a central and rewarding pillar of the experience. The slow, deliberate pace is still an outlier in the landscape of big-budget games, offering a unique form of engagement centered on traversal and overcoming environmental obstacles. However, this sequel struggles to recapture the novelty of the original, feeling mired in familiarity and a few questionable design shifts.
The narrative sends protagonist Sam Porter Bridges to new locales like Mexico, operating from a mobile base ship, the DHV Mellin. While the central mystery is intriguing, the story is told sporadically, often leaving long stretches between significant developments. The new cast of characters feels less compelling than the crew from the first game, with arcs that feel underdeveloped. This pacing can make the journey feel more like a slow television season than a cohesive and consistently engaging plot.
A significant shift is the increased focus on action and combat, a direction that diminishes the original's unique sense of vulnerability. Players gain access to powerful weapons and traversal tools much earlier, reducing the friction and tension that made navigating the world so impactful. While stealth remains an option, the game frequently pushes players into direct conflict. Combined with an overabundance of homages to series like Metal Gear Solid from Kojima Productions, the experience feels less like a bold new step and more like an iteration bound by its own legacy, ultimately delivering a more ordinary adventure.
