7 reasons to play Death Stranding 2: On the Beach

Kojima is back, which means it's time to put your backpack on your back again, rethink the meaning of existence, and dive into a depressing courier simulator with a philosophical aftertaste. Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is coming out on 26 June 2025 on PlayStation 5, and this time we will have not just another backpacking trip, but a full-fledged therapy in a post-apocalyptic setting with everything we love: existence, drama, BT, and unexpected philosophical twists. And the gg editorial team will tell you 7 reasons why you should play Death Stranding 2: On the Beach.

1. The plot after the lockdown: "Was it worth connecting at all?"

Do you remember how in the first part, Kojima called for connecting the torn world? In the sequel, he asks a different question: what if we've connected too much - won't it do even more harm?

Death Stranding 2 revises its philosophy based on the experience of the pandemic, and the plot turns from a simple "saving humanity" into a complex moral dilemma about the limits of connections and responsibility for them, and the story digs deeper into the psychology of the characters and the very essence of human relationships in the digital age.

In the cutscenes, Hideo's desire to blur the line between cinema and games is most evident. To the naked eye, the scenes from DS2 could easily be confused with a Hollywood blockbuster. Illustration: Sony

2. Graphics to the fullest: landscapes that you want to save as wallpaper

Death Stranding 2 uses the potential of the PlayStation 5 and the Decima engine to the maximum - the world looks so realistic that at some point it is too difficult to exit photo mode. From the sandy deserts of Mexico to the humid tropics of Australia, the environment is constantly changing, making the player feel not just progress, but a real journey.

Day and night, rains, sunlight through fog, the glint of sweat on Norman Reedus' face - all this creates a visual experience that is hard to forget. And while the beauty here often borders on the unsettling, it's what makes you stop to look around - even when you're being chased by BT.

Despite the fact that we'll be spending most of our time in Australia, the image won't be turned upside down. Illustration: Sony

3. The road belongs to you: more freedom and choices in your journey through the post-apocalyptic world

From the very beginning of the game, you are given more means of transport - bikes, jeeps, more equipment, and even the ability to build monorail roads (yes, you will now have a personal "train"). And this is not about simplifying the gameplay, but a serious upgrade that allows you to plan complex routes through a dangerous landscape and implement logistics like a real courier strategist.

And although the new tools give you more control, the world has become even more aggressive: floods, earthquakes, rockfalls, and BT predators will not let you relax. Now it's not just about getting there, it's about getting there efficiently, stylishly, and without losing your cargo along the way.

Tired of walking or driving? It doesn't matter at all. Saddle up on a monorail and ride across the entire Australian continent. Illustration: Sony

4. Kojima turns on Metal Gear: battles have become more complex, interesting and frequent

This time, combat is not an add-on, but a full-fledged mechanic. Do you want to go all out? Get an arsenal of firearms, stun batons, and even various grenades. If you decide to be a shadow in the dark, use holograms, dispel the enemy's attention and disappear like a phantom, and if necessary, shoot them all with a silenced assault rifle or strangle them with a rope.

The combat system has become more dynamic and flexible, and stealth tactics bring us back to the glory days of Metal Gear Solid. Add to this the change of day, which really affects visibility and the level of threat, and you have a game where every encounter requires a meaningful approach.

One of the best improvements in the sequel is the addition of more action. The game doesn't skimp on epic boss fights and a bunch of checkpoints with a variety of enemies to keep you on your toes. Illustration: Sony

5. Pumping with soul: now Sam adapts to you

Instead of the boring "courier rating" (which is still there), there are now also 12 upgradeable branches that change depending on how you play: shooting, sneaking, rescuing others, or just hauling boxes honestly. And the APAS system (a cross between a navigator and a robot friend) allows you to level up and unlock new abilities as you go.

This means that the game reacts to your style, not imposes its own. Want to be a battle tank? You can. If you want to be a holy pacifist with a ladder, you can. The scope for experimentation is huge.

You also need to improve your socialisation. Thanks to the asynchronous multiplayer, other players will have buildings in your world, as well as yours in theirs, which helps a lot during the passage. Illustration: Sony

6. The world has become even scarier: new enemies, new rules of survival

In addition to the familiar BTs, you are now hunted by Mech soldiers, smarter "observers", armed bandits, and angry survivalists. And each of these types of enemies requires a different approach - you can't just run with a machine gun anymore.

Bosses have become bigger, more dangerous and less predictable - every encounter can be the last one if you don't adapt. Death Stranding 2 is not just about the beauty of the post-apocalypse, but also about the danger at every turn. Now the threat is closer than your next load.

At times, Kojima turns his game into a horror, and you and Sam are together with sweaty hands over your mouths, hoping that the monsters won't notice you. Illustration: Sony

7. Sound therapy: music that kills you at the right time

Ludvig Forssell is back in action, but now he's joined by Woodkid, so get ready for a soundtrack that will break your heart every minute of your lonely game. Music is no longer just a background, but a full-fledged tool of emotional manipulation. Add to that the fact that the sequel has a full-fledged player and you can now listen to music with interruptions only during cutscenes.

These tunes are like GPS in the dark: when everything around you goes wrong, they keep you on track. And that's why you won't forget the atmosphere of the game long after the final credits, even if you only half understand the plot.

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach will be a significant step forward, offering a more interesting story, significantly expanded gameplay mechanics, and stunning visual and sound effects. It's a unique blend of exploration, strategic combat, and personalised playthroughs, carefully crafted within Hideo Kojima's artistic vision. For both loyal fans of the original and newcomers looking for a truly unique and thought-provoking adventure, this game is a must-play. Get ready to embark on an unforgettable mission of human connection beyond the UCA and find out if humanity was really meant to be united.

For those who want to know more

• 7 reasons to play DOOM: The Dark Ages
• 7 reasons to wait for Arc Raiders
• Split Fiction review: dynamic cooperative adventure
• Lost Records: Bloom & Rage review - memories that would be better left in the past
• 10 games that deserve to be noticed by Hollywood (or Netflix)