Previously, in Death Stranding... (spoilers from the first game)

For those who haven't played the first game (which I strongly recommend), Death Stranding is an interactive meditation on isolation and connection. After a cataclysmic event that broke the barrier between life and death, the rest of humanity lives fragmented, hidden in pockets of survival. As Sam Porter Bridges, also known as "the courier," we must not only deliver cargo, but also sew bonds between people, facing loneliness, ghosts of the past, and forces of nature.

After connecting all the cities through the Chiral Network, Sam discovers that Amelie is an entity with the power to end humanity, and the Death Stranding was just another step in the extinction process. Sam, with his insistence on creating connections and his love for BB, convinces Amelie that hope still exists, postponing extinction, motivated by human bonds. Still in the end, Sam decides to disconnect BB from the system and reanimates it. With Sam calling the baby Lou, an act that symbolizes rebirth and reconnection, the glimpse of the future being in his hands remains. Will it?

The story of Death Stranding 2 begins 11 months after the end of the first game, with Sam living isolated on the border of Mexico with little Lou, who to his surprise, receives the unusual visit of Fragile, who has a proposal for the greatest courier the world has ever seen: to reconnect Mexico to the Chiral Network, which works perfectly for us to get used to some basic game controls again, such as stealth aspects, cargo delivery, social interactions, and combat.

After returning from this brief beginning, Sam has a major setback in his life involving Lou, which to support him, Fragile proposes that Sam continue to reconnect more regions, reaching even Australia, which will certainly make him meet new allies, enemies, and much more.



With a concise and well-explained plot, even considering the complexity of the theme and its amplitudes, Death Stranding 2 proves to be much more mature for the audience and with this, it learns that it is possible, indeed, to go beyond the ordinary and captivate new players.

All aboard

Aboard the newest venture of Drawbridges, known as DHV Magalhães, a clear homage to the Portuguese navigator Fernão de Magalhães, Sam is not alone and meets a series of unusual companions, once again characterizing Kojima's way of telling a good story with mysterious and picturesque characters, like Tarman, Dollman, Rainy, among other crew members.

The crew of the incredible laboratory ship and DHV Magalhães headquarters combines science, mysticism, personal drama, and humor, creating a narrative microcosm that reflects the central themes of connection, vulnerability, and renewal of the Death Stranding universe.

Visually, DHV Magalhães impresses with its own personality, sailing through dense seas of black tar and serving as the base for the main events of the game. Not only that, but it's amazing how the ship fits Sam like a glove, leaving the impression that one is completely linked to the other since forever, bringing a certain melancholy and a unique sense of emptiness from the world of Death Stranding.

The sound of the ship, the silent corridors, and the presence of enigmatic figures further intensify the aura of mystery and tragedy that marks the game from start to finish as Sam sets off in search of reconnecting the planet.



Your package is out for delivery

Of course! Cargo deliveries continue to be the heart of Death Stranding 2's gameplay: On the Beach, but now they are more varied, dangerous, and dynamic, with significant improvements compared to the first game, which brought more options and emotions for us to live another day as a courier.

Sam Porter Bridges overcomes a series of obstacles to complete his deliveries, such as walking through even more visually complex and stunning mountainous terrains, exploring submerged cities full of mysteries, visiting regions affected by intense timefall rain, as well as Chiral zones with altered time and gravity, bringing a very interesting dynamic.

Sam Porter Bridges has a vast arsenal of tools and equipment to overcome the new challenges of the Chiral world, providing more freedom and creativity to the game, including a glider wing to shorten paths, a robot capable of storing extra cargo, a drone that can illuminate dark paths, among others.

The tools for locomotion and exploration allow Sam to be more mobile, as well as protected and more confident when facing extremely treacherous terrains, which, thanks to the stick, are more controllable and also serve as a weapon against the various enemies.

Weather conditions also play an important role. Walking on wet or dry terrains has different impacts on locomotion. In addition, certain cargoes cannot be exposed to rain or direct sunlight, forcing the player to rethink routes and schedules, seeking not only the safest path, but also the ideal moment to proceed.

It is not an exaggeration to say that Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is considerably more action-packed and that all of this is a reflection and even a clear evolution in terms of gameplay to bring a more dynamic feeling to the audience.

The Creatures from the Other Side

In my humble opinion, the biggest difference from Death Stranding 2: On the Beach compared to the first title is undoubtedly regarding combat and facing the various enemies and threats. They are more varied, aggressive, and unpredictable, always connected to the central themes of isolation, fear, and connection. And when we talk about combat, we are talking about something that attracts more casual players, who always say that Death Stranding's action leaves much to be desired, being even called a walking simulator, which is a sin and very unfair.

The enemies are much smarter now, making the fights more exciting. It is possible to be stealthy, yes, but this option still seems somewhat neglected, as the game encourages combat whenever it can. The good thing is that it is clear that you can choose how to play, which should please many first-time sailors with very different styles.

Sam begins to face more structured human factions, such as the remnants of the Mules and a new cult devoted to the idea of extinction. These groups resort to ambushes, sabotage, and armaments based on chiral technology. In addition, hybrid and deformed creatures emerge, a result of the instability between the physical and chiral worlds, significantly raising the level of challenge. The game reinforces the constant sense of danger, requiring both tactical planning and adaptability.



The pinnacle of this generation in many areas

I say with great confidence that this generation is still taking its first steps in all aspects involving a video game. But graphically, it is the first time (perhaps the second) that a game impresses me with its visuals.

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach presents significant advances in its graphical quality, fully exploring the technical capabilities of the new generation. The title displays incredibly detailed environments, with realistic textures, bringing complex natural formations to sophisticated interiors.

The facial and body animations of the characters have such a high level of naturalness, reinforcing the narrative depth. Not only that, but the implementation of technologies such as ray tracing and three-dimensional audio greatly enhance the visual and sensory experience, consolidating the game as a strong candidate for the 2025 GOTY.

Regarding the game controls, the use of DualSense brings advanced tactile feedback and adaptive triggers, which vary the resistance according to the weight of the load carried by Sam, as well as simulating environmental effects, such as the impact of timefall rain and uneven terrain, greatly enhancing immersion in an impressive way and bringing a great balance.



The soundtrack is a show in itself, composed by renowned music artists, with a mix of orchestral, electronic, and experimental elements that evoke various feelings, such as loneliness, tension, and hope, reinforcing how the game manages to convey emotions to the players.

We thank PlayStation for sending the key for Death Stranding 2: On the Beach for this review.