Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
continues to stand as one of 2025's standout titles, earning widespread praise for refining and expanding on the original's unique formula.
Released on June 26, 2025, for PS5 (with a PC version still pending), Hideo Kojima's sequel delivers a more polished, action-infused experience while retaining its signature philosophical depth, bizarre storytelling, and "strand" gameplay of connecting a fractured world through deliveries.
Stellar performances from a star-studded cast elevate the cinematic narrative to new heights.
Featured Cast
The game boasts an eclectic mix of Hollywood talent, directors, and voice acting legends, with performance capture bringing their likenesses to life:
- Sam Porter Bridges – Norman Reedus (The Walking Dead)
- Fragile – Léa Seydoux (Mission: Impossible films)
- Tomorrow – Elle Fanning (The Neon Demon)
- Rainy – Shioli Kutsuna (Deadpool 2)
- Higgs Monaghan – Troy Baker (The Last of Us)
- Tarman – George Miller (Mad Max director, model/performance)
- Neil Vana – Luca Marinelli
- Dollman – Jonathan Roumie
- Heartman – Nicolas Winding Refn (performance capture)
- Additional voices/notable appearances: Alastair Duncan,
Alissa Jung (Lucy),
Debra Wilson,
Tommie Earl Jenkins, and celebrity cameos throughout.
Critical Consensus
- Metacritic (PS5): 89/100 (based on 147 critic reviews; "Generally Favorable"). User score sits at 8.7/10 from thousands of ratings.
- OpenCritic: Around 90/100 ("Mighty" rating), with 95%+ recommendation rate from over 168 critics.
Many outlets hailed it as an improvement over the first game, calling it bolder, more accessible, and visually stunning—often labeling it a masterpiece or GOTY contender.
Key Strengths Highlighted
- Refined Gameplay: Smoother traversal with new tools (hoverboards, mechanical companions, advanced vehicles), enhanced combat/stealth (more Metal Gear-like moments), and dynamic environments that make journeys feel exciting rather than tedious.
- Narrative & Presentation: A tighter, more emotional story exploring connection, grief, technology, and humanity.
Jaw-dropping Decima engine visuals, an exceptional soundtrack, and show-stealing turns from the cast—Baker's Higgs steals scenes as the returning antagonist.
- Scope & Replayability: 30-50+ hours of purposeful progression, better pacing after the initial setup, and meaningful base-building/social features.
Common Criticisms
- Still divisive for those who disliked the original—some find it repetitive, overly long, or less "punishing"/innovative.
- Pacing issues in spots (slow starts, familiar beats), fiddly menus, and a sense that it leans more on accessibility than raw experimentation.
- Lower scores (e.g., 7/10 from GameSpot, 6/10 from IGN France) cited it as solid but not revolutionary, or too fixated on revisiting ideas.
Overall Verdict: 9/10 – Highly Recommended
This is Kojima at his most confident: weirder in story, more fun in play, and technically one of the generation's best-looking games.
If the first game's meditative weirdness hooked you, this sequel elevates it significantly—bolstered by unforgettable performances.
Even newcomers or skeptics often find the upgrades compelling. A true evolution and a must-play for PS5 owners.
Sources & Review Links
- IGN (9/10):
- Polygon:
