Critics are praising the long-awaited sequel to Hideo Kojima's polarizing 2019 adventure more than anyone anticipated. Death Stranding 2: On The Beach launches on June 26, 2025, exclusively for PlayStation 5, delivering what many are calling a significantly refined and more accessible experience than its predecessor.
Critical Reception: A Stunning Turnaround
The impact of this sequel on the gaming community is evident in the numbers. Death Stranding 2: On The Beach currently holds an impressive 90 Metacritic score based on over 90 critic reviews, representing a substantial leap from the original game's 82 rating. This release marks one of the highest-rated games of 2025, with an overwhelming 96% of reviews being positive and zero negative scores recorded.
What makes this achievement particularly remarkable is how the original Death Stranding divided critics and players alike. The sequel has managed to win over skeptics while maintaining the unique vision that made the first game such a distinctive experience in the gaming landscape.
What Critics Are Saying About Death Stranding 2
The Standout Reviews
VGC awarded Death Stranding 2 a perfect 5/5, with reviewer Jordan Middler calling it "an all-time great sequel and one of Hideo Kojima's best games". The review praised the game's "stunning world, greatly expanded gameplay and player choice, and one of Kojima's most compelling casts and narratives".
IGN delivered a glowing 9/10 score, marking a dramatic shift from their lukewarm 6.8 review of the original. The IGN review highlighted how the sequel "removes almost all of the friction that weighed down its rookie effort" while delivering "a truly unpredictable story full of intrigue".
Dexerto granted the game a perfect score, declaring it "a phenomenal offering" and "among Kojima's very best work not just for its narrative, but for the near-limitless variability in its gameplay opportunities".
Technical Excellence
The technical achievements of Death Stranding 2 have garnered particular praise from critics. Digital Foundry's comprehensive analysis described it as "one of the best-looking games of this console generation," highlighting the game's "striking art direction and top-tier technical execution". The review emphasized how the sequel benefits from being designed specifically for PS5, rather than being held back by cross-generation constraints.
Critics have consistently praised the game's visual fidelity, noting improvements in character rendering, environmental detail, and weather effects. The upgraded water systems and dynamic weather phenomena have been specifically highlighted as standout technical achievements that directly impact gameplay.
Gameplay Evolution and Improvements
Addressing Original Criticisms
One of the most significant achievements of Death Stranding 2 is how it addresses many criticisms leveled at the original game. Reviews consistently mention that the sequel offers "a far more refined experience in every aspect—from gameplay to narrative pacing". The game maintains its core delivery mechanics while introducing quality-of-life improvements that make the experience more accessible .
The sequel introduces the DHV Magellan, a floating base that serves as a mobile hub of operations 7. This addition allows for more dynamic mission structure and reduces much of the tedium that players experienced in the first game. Critics have noted that this mobile base system makes deliveries feel more cohesive and less repetitive.
Enhanced Combat and Stealth Options
Death Stranding 2 places greater emphasis on combat and stealth encounters compared to its predecessor. Reviews highlight the introduction of new weapons, gadgets, and tactical options that give players more agency in how they approach enemy encounters. The game has been compared to Metal Gear Solid V in terms of its stealth mechanics and base infiltration gameplay.
However, critics emphasize that combat remains optional, with players still able to avoid confrontations through careful route planning and stealth. This balance has been praised as expanding player choice without compromising the meditative, non-violent core of the Death Stranding experience.
Narrative and Storytelling
A More Focused Story
Critics have consistently praised Death Stranding 2's narrative improvements over the original. Paste Magazine noted that while the first game was often labeled as "weird," the sequel offers a more coherent story that builds naturally on established concepts. The review emphasized how the game successfully balances "deeply sincere takes on the importance of connection" with spectacular visual storytelling.
The sequel's emotional impact has been a recurring theme in reviews. COGconnected's review described moments that are "incredibly gut-wrenching" and noted that "the moments that hit the hardest far surpass the emotional highs and lows of the original".
Character Development and Performance
The returning cast, including Norman Reedus, Léa Seydoux, and Troy Baker, has received universal acclaim from critics. Reviews consistently highlight Troy Baker's performance, with CGMagazine noting that he "steals every scene he's in". The addition of new characters, including Elle Fanning's mysterious Tomorrow, has been praised for adding fresh dynamics to the established cast.
Areas of Criticism
Mixed Reactions from Some Outlets
While the majority of reviews have been overwhelmingly positive, some outlets have offered more measured responses. GameSpot awarded the game a 7/10, representing the lowest major score among prominent gaming publications. However, even mixed reviews acknowledge the game's technical achievements and improved accessibility.
Repetitive Elements Persist
Some critics noted that certain repetitive elements from the original game remain present in the sequel. YouTube reviewer Arekkz Gaming mentioned that "the tedious and repeated cutscenes and dialogue" can still become repetitive after multiple deliveries. However, most reviews suggest these issues are significantly reduced compared to the original.
The Kojima Factor
Creative Vision Realized
Critics have consistently praised Hideo Kojima's creative vision in Death Stranding 2. Inverse's review noted that the sequel represents "Kojima Productions' divisive vision of a game centered around long continental treks feels fully realized six years later". The review emphasized how the game achieves this through "incremental evolution that broadens its bizarre formula just enough to convert the skeptics".
Gizmodo's review highlighted how "Kojima's signature penchant for weirdness, once a shield for abstraction, now feels like scaffolding for something more emotionally grounded”. This sentiment has been echoed across multiple reviews, suggesting that the sequel successfully refines Kojima's unique approach to game design.
Balancing Accessibility and Originality
Multiple reviews have noted how Death Stranding 2 manages to become more accessible without compromising its unique identity. Eurogamer's review acknowledged that while the game "doubles down on the metaphysical strangeness of his storytelling," it also foregrounds "more conventional aspects of his work". This balance has been praised as making the game more appealing to a broader audience while maintaining its distinctive character.
Technical Performance and Platform Optimization
PlayStation 5 Exclusive Benefits for Death Stranding 2
Critics have consistently praised how Death Stranding 2 takes full advantage of PlayStation 5 hardware. CGMagazine's review described the game as "the first game I've played that was specifically designed for the PlayStation 5," noting "almost ZERO load time between menus, cutscenes and gameplay".
The implementation of DualSense controller features has received particular acclaim. Reviews highlight how the game "utilizes the DualSense 5 to its fullest potential," with haptic feedback bringing "every texture Sam walks on, raindrop or subtle detail" to life.
The Critics' Consensus On Death Stranding 2
The overwhelming critical consensus positions Death Stranding 2: On The Beach as a successful sequel that addresses the original's shortcomings while expanding on its strengths. The game currently stands as one of 2025's highest-rated releases, representing a significant creative and commercial achievement for Kojima Productions.
Critics consistently emphasize that, while the game may not convert players who strongly disliked the original, it offers substantial improvements that make it more accessible to newcomers while providing existing fans with a deeper, more refined experience. The sequel's success in achieving near-universal critical acclaim while maintaining its unique identity represents a rare achievement in modern game development