Hideo Kojima, the renowned video game auteur, finds himself in an unusual predicament with his upcoming title, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach. Contrary to his artistic aspirations for divisiveness, early playtest scores for the sequel have been overwhelmingly positive, a stark contrast to the polarizing reception of the 2019 original. In a recent interview with Edge magazine, Kojima reportedly lamented that “Everyone seems to be positive” about the game, expressing a wish to be “a bit more controversial.”
This desire for a more contentious reception is not new for Kojima, a creator known for pushing boundaries and subverting player expectations. Fans will recall the infamous bait-and-switch in 2001’s Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, where the iconic Solid Snake was largely replaced by the rookie Raiden as the playable protagonist. While Raiden eventually garnered affection, it took time, embodying Kojima’s philosophy of cultivating love through initial discomfort.
The first Death Stranding served as Kojima’s declaration of independence from the Metal Gear series, and its initial divisiveness was, perhaps, a source of satisfaction for him. The game, which tasked players with traversing desolate landscapes as porter Sam Bridges (Norman Reedus) to reconnect a fractured society, was often criticized for its slow pace, abstract narrative, and unique gameplay loop. However, its reputation grew, particularly after the COVID-19 pandemic, when its themes of isolation, connection, and a world ravaged by a cataclysmic event resonated with a new, unnerving prescience. Players came to appreciate its daring flirtation with boredom and its hypnotic power.
According to a recent impression piece by Polygon, having spent significant time with Death Stranding 2, the reviewer aligns with the positive test scores. The game is described as a “tour de force” – a “smooth, incredibly accomplished iteration on a true original.” While it may have shed some of its predecessor’s “awkward spikiness,” it retains its “hypnotic power.” Musician Woodkid, who contributed to the soundtrack, even recounted Kojima’s reaction to the positive feedback, stating the director felt “something is wrong” and desired players to “end up liking things they didn’t like when they first encountered it.”
Despite Kojima’s attempts to introduce changes in response to this feedback, On the Beach emerges as a “familiar, almost comforting experience.” This ease of play might stem from various factors: subtle design adjustments, an evolution in gaming tastes that now embraces unique experiences like Elden Ring and Baldur’s Gate 3, or simply that the original Death Stranding successfully taught players to appreciate its distinctive style. In this context, Death Stranding 2, while a “traditional and unadventurous sequel” in its formulaic approach, arrives at a perfect moment, building upon a foundation that has since found its audience.
The core gameplay remains centered on Sam’s arduous journeys across treacherous, otherworldly landscapes, reimagining Mexico and Australia as desolate, moon-like or Martian terrains. Players will still meticulously plan equipment loadouts, balance cargo, and navigate environmental hazards like corrosive “timefall” rain and spectral “BTs” (Beached Things). However, combat has seen significant improvements, becoming “much less frustrating” with eased difficulty and more engaging tools, all while retaining Kojima’s signature Metal Gear stealth elements. An excellent suite of training missions, reminiscent of classic Metal Gear Solid VR modes, is also included.
Storytelling, while still unmistakably Kojima’s, feels “a little more character-focused and naturalistic” and “more smoothly paced” than the original. The narrative extends Sam’s quest to reconnect humanity into new territories, delving deeper into the world’s cosmology and the backstory of Lou, the iconic baby from the first game. Troy Baker’s sinister Higgs takes center stage as the antagonist, and the game avoids the more baffling subplots of its predecessor. The studio’s actor scans and performance capture are lauded for their “subtle warmth and humanity,” while lead artist Yoji Shinkawa’s unique vision continues to craft an unforgettable sci-fi dreamscape.
Beyond the core loop, Death Stranding 2 is brimming with new systems and idiosyncrasies, from a new skill tree and a talking puppet companion named Dollman to fast travel via a tar-submarine base. The game promises a massive experience with multiple distinct subquests and asynchronous social gameplay, allowing players to assist each other across the chiral network.
Ultimately, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is a lavish and meticulously crafted sequel that builds upon a truly singular foundation. Its comfortable iteration on a formula that remains startlingly original and absorbing, coupled with a world that resonates deeply, especially in a post-pandemic context, makes its widespread appeal understandable. Perhaps, as Polygon suggests, the positive feedback isn’t a sign of compromise, but rather a testament to how much players are simply glad to have Death Stranding back.
