Hideo Kojima’s Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, which hit the PlayStation 5 on June 26, 2025, is getting major praise and might just be one of his top games ever. Sitting at a Metacritic score of 90 and an OpenCritic score of 92, with 97% of critics giving it a thumbs-up, this sequel takes the original’s weird charm and makes it smoother, more emotional, and easier to jump into. Here’s why critics are calling Death Stranding 2 a banger and how it stacks up in Kojima’s epic career.
A Leap Forward from the Original
The first Death Stranding (2019) was a bold, love-it-or-hate-it game, scoring a Metacritic 82 for its unique “strand-type” gameplay and heavy sci-fi story. Death Stranding 2 grabs all the cool stuff from the original—like hauling cargo across eerie landscapes and connecting with other players online—and makes it way better. Critics point out that only 3% of reviews aren’t feeling it, compared to 24% for the first game, so it’s clicking with more people.
VGC says it’s “one of the best sequels ever and maybe Kojima’s finest work,” loving its deeper gameplay and strong story. IGN (9/10) calls it a game that “nails what the first one set out to do,” mixing beauty, creepiness, and fun. The mechanics are sharper, with combat feeling like Metal Gear Solid V and new challenges like earthquakes and sandstorms keeping travel exciting. The Social Strand System, where you share stuff like bridges and resources with other players, still feels like a warm hug from the internet.
Stunning Visuals and Cinematic Storytelling
Powered by the Decima engine, Death Stranding 2 looks unreal, with critics saying it’s one of the PS5’s prettiest games. The landscapes of Mexico and Australia, from rocky cliffs to wild storms, are packed with detail. The Guardian (10/10) sums it up: “It’s about never being alone, which is awesome for a game about delivering packages.”
The story follows Sam Porter Bridges (Norman Reedus) hooking up new areas to the Chiral Network, with big names like Léa Seydoux, Elle Fanning, and George Miller in the cast. It dives deep into hope, loss, and togetherness, with the DHV Magellan crew feeling like a real family. A new Corpus glossary and recap mode make the sci-fi stuff easier to get, fixing the first game’s overwhelming lore dump. Critics love the movie-like cutscenes, which hit hard emotionally but keep Kojima’s quirky touches, like random dance scenes or weird items (yep, platypus semen is a thing).
Gameplay That Feels Fresh Yet Familiar
Death Stranding 2 polishes the delivery gameplay with better gear, vehicles, and a skill tree to tweak your style. Combat and stealth, now with stuff like silenced rifles and sky-drones, feel tight and fun. Kakuchopurei (90/10005/10) says it’s “more lovable than the original,” with a bold world that pulls you in. Missions kick off quicker, and there’s more variety, so it doesn’t drag like the first game’s early hours.
It’s not flawless, though. GameSpot (7/10) thinks it reuses too many old ideas, and characters like Rainy and Tomorrow don’t get enough time to shine. Bringing back Higgs as the villain felt weak to some, and the slower pace, even if improved, might still bug players who thought the original was too chill. Eurogamer (4/5) says it’s “bigger and easier to get into” but a bit less strange, like it’s trying to please more people.
Kojima’s Vision: Bold and Divisive
Kojima wanted Death Stranding 2 to stir up some debate, tweaking it after testers liked it more than the first game. His knack for bold, polarizing stuff comes through, much like his Metal Gear Solid days. Game Informer (8.75/10) loves its “big swings,” saying it’s “trying to make its own genre and mostly pulling it off.” Compared to Metal Gear Solid V (Metacritic: 93), Death Stranding 2 holds its own with a tighter story and fresh mechanics.
As a PS5 exclusive, it looks killer, especially on the PS5 Pro, per some reviews. Its Hollywood cast and artsy feel make it seem like a playable blockbuster, sparking big talks about what games can do.
Is It Kojima’s Best?
With perfect 10/10 scores from outlets like VGC, Screen Rant, Push Square, and Dexerto, Death Stranding 2 is in the running for Kojima’s top spot. It mixes the stealth and action of Metal Gear Solid, the heart of Snatcher, and the first Death Stranding’s originality into something special. Critics call it a Game of the Year contender, with its balance of accessibility and depth hooking both fans and new players.
That said, it won’t win everyone over. If the first game’s slow pace or complex lore wasn’t your thing, the sequel’s upgrades might not change your mind, though the recap mode helps. For anyone down with Kojima’s style, it’s a must-play that proves he’s still a gaming legend.
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