مراجعة لعبة Death Stranding 2: On the Beach

The game Death Stranding 2: On the Beach was released exclusively on PlayStation 5 on June 26, 2025, offering a new experience developed by Kojima Productions and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment. Hideo Kojima continues his unique style known for cinematic design, deep philosophical themes, and gameplay mechanics that defy traditional classifications. Norman Reedus once again embodies the character Sam Porter Bridges, alongside the return of Léa Seydoux and Troy Baker, with new prominent faces like Elle Fanning and George Miller joining the cast. This time, the game takes place in diverse areas including post-apocalyptic Mexico and the vast lands of Australia, reinforcing its central message about the importance of human connection in a fractured world.

We received the review code for the game directly from PlayStation, which allowed us to experience the game and share our review with you today.

Introduction: A Fragile Peace Shattered

The events of Death Stranding 2 begin almost a year after the end of the first installment, where Sam and Lou are living a quiet life in northern Mexico. Things take a turn when Fragile arrives with a new mission asking Sam to help her expand a communication network called Drawbridge after the fall of BRIDGES. A new organization, APAC, has emerged, through which Fragile aims to reconnect scattered human communities around the world.

The Beginning of the Mission

In Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, Sam embarks on a perilous journey. His goal is to reconnect isolated communities across hostile territories. Some themes leave a strong impact.

Nevertheless, the story succeeds in delivering emotionally charged moments. Kojima's use of science fiction and metaphors remains prominent.

A More Focused World

The game unfolds in a world on the brink of collapse, presenting a more cohesive and realistic story. The theme of isolation occupies the center of the narrative, as the porters risk their lives to reconnect Australia. Unlike its predecessor, this installment focuses on clear objectives and coherent subplots.

Characters and events are introduced in short segments, maintaining the flow and pace of the narrative. Every scene has its purpose and serves the overall story, which was a struggle in the previous installment.

Elements of fantasy and surrealism are still part of the experience, but this time they are directly tied to the story's development.

Characters like Tomorrow, Fragile, and Rainy receive thoughtful introductions. The DHV Magellan ship plays a pivotal role in strengthening emotional bonds and provides moments of reflection. Sam, who was previously aloof, has become more relatable to the player.

Sam shows real development, both emotionally and narratively. His interactions have become more human, successfully forming a connection between him and the player, unlike the first installment.

Better Use of Flashbacks

Flashbacks are still present, but their use this time is smoother and often optional. Their integration feels more natural and less jarring.

The enemies, as usual, convey the ongoing threat in the game through their appearance or backstory. Their presence enhances the sense of danger and propels the narrative forward, as they are a central focus of the game.

Philosophical themes remain a core part of Kojima's narrative style, but they have become more focused. Story arcs flow logically and build gradually. Narrative shifts come after clear setups, maintaining player interest and emotional engagement.

A Deeper World for Those Who Seek It

The game offers an expanded in-game guide with detailed information about events, characters, and concepts. It can be accessed at any time, even during cinematic scenes. This ensures that both new and returning players can understand the story without feeling overwhelmed.

Death Stranding 2 addresses the narrative weaknesses of the previous installment. Its story is more organized, its themes clearer, and its emotional impact stronger. While some enemies and philosophical themes still feel weak, the journey as a whole is more cohesive and satisfying. Personally, I found it a notable improvement in almost every aspect.

Gameplay:

Familiar Flow with Meaningful Expansion

Smarter Controls and Better Accessibility

Death Stranding 2 improves the control system for a smoother gameplay experience. Crawling or holding your breath can now be done with a single button, reducing tension in critical moments. Additionally, inventory management commands have become simpler. Players can quickly equip weapons, dispose of used gear, or even drop their backpack during combat. These updates make the transition between exploration and engagement more fluid.

Collecting crystals is now done with just one button. Direction shortcuts have also returned. These additions enhance gameplay flow. I appreciated the way interactions with the world feel more natural and responsive.

Physics-Based Movement and Planning

Sam's movement remains grounded in physical realism. The type of terrain, fatigue, slope degree, and even wind direction affect his movement. Momentum can be strategically exploited, such as leaning into a slope to descend faster.

The environmental impact on gameplay has become more direct. Time, natural disasters, and weather systems affect route planning. Terrain difficulty gradually increases, requiring diverse tools and methods. You must constantly adapt, especially according to the type of cargo.

Traversal remains central. Sam uses upgraded vehicles with better storage and stronger batteries, as well as weapons. Infrastructure plays a larger role in improving routes.

Sandstorms, earthquakes, and floods reshape paths and destroy buildings. Players must use scanning tools and prediction systems.

Deeper RPG Development System

RPG elements have become more pronounced. Running, holding breath, and using weapons develop the associated stats. The APAS skill tree now includes five branches: traversal, stealth, tools, combat, and communication. Skills can be freely redistributed, allowing for tactical flexibility.

Smart Loading Strategy

Some cargo is fragile, time-sensitive, or heat-sensitive, affecting movement methods. The auto-loading feature is still available even in tough levels, but success depends on the player's preparedness and gear integration with the terrain.

Combat is Smoother and More Natural

Switching between weapons is faster, and throwing gear is instantaneous. Removing the backpack improves agility in third-person combat. Stealth systems have evolved with improved camouflage and timing effects.

Enemy behavior changes based on noise, lighting, and loss of allies. Each camp has its unique design and interactive elements. Unfortunately, enemy AI doesn't evolve much over time. Guaranteed tactics, like shock weapons, remain effective until the end of the game.

Boss battles are more mechanically diverse this time. Some enemies require specific tools or strategies. However, repetitive patterns emerge quickly. A resistance system that interacts with player tactics would have raised the challenge level. Some mid-game BT mechanics offer depth but can be easily overlooked. Late-game bosses are among the standout elements of the game. These encounters are more creative and challenge players, especially in the absence of vehicles.

Versatile Vehicles and Tools

Vehicle behaviors change based on terrain and cargo. Bikes facilitate traversal but reduce survival challenge. New tools encourage experimentation and exploration, and familiar gear appears early to expand gameplay possibilities.

Side Missions Add Depth

While the main story is engaging, side missions add significant value. Familiar areas return with new challenges and different types of cargo. They are not filler missions - they are well-crafted and contextually relevant.

Side missions require careful planning. Some are suited for bikes, while others are better for trucks or floating carriers.

Familiar locations can still surprise you. Side missions often reveal hidden paths or new gameplay elements. In some cases, these missions rival the main ones in terms of challenge and creativity.

Deeper Tactical Customization

Weapons display stats like range, noise, durability, and more. You can't rely on a single setup, as gear wears out over time. This encourages strategic use and continual upgrading. Customization options allow for a balance between speed, power, and storage.

Supply camps regenerate slowly, encouraging exploration. Rare resources appear randomly, requiring careful planning.

Players can choose between stealth, non-lethal tools, or direct attacks. While massive explosions are absent, combat offers good flexibility. Personally, I missed the thrill of unexpected danger from the first installment.

Enhanced Online Features and Cooperation

Other players' structures have a greater impact. Generators provide extra power or fend off enemies. Zip lines are easier to set up, although their modification remains limited.

Player-built roads and shelters enhance the sense of community, but new building types are few. More diversity would have increased connectivity. Nonetheless, I felt a sense of contribution every time I saw another player's input; once, I needed a ladder to cross a river I couldn't traverse on foot, and I was very happy that someone before me had left a ladder, especially since I didn't have one.

Music in Combat and Story Moments

Better Performance and Representation

Elle Fanning, Troy Baker, and especially Norman Reedus deliver nuanced performances, supported by high-quality expressive animations and detailed designs.

The music serves the narrative wonderfully. Themes for main characters like Tomorrow are emotionally rich.

The music is not limited to exploration alone. During combat, the rhythm and pace change dynamically. Progressing in a confrontation raises the intensity, while retreating slows the tempo. These responsive changes add an emotional rhythm to battles, making them more memorable.

Woodkid's tracks convey strong emotions: sadness, hope, fear, and peace. Ludvig Forssell's work shines in enemy camp music and menu segments, which feel warm and harmonious with the themes presented.

Transitions between music are seamless. Even reused segments from the first game gain new meanings due to changes in rhythm and placement within the narrative.

Sound Design and Environmental Details

The sound design reaches a new level of quality. The sounds of weapons, weather changes, and equipment noise feel meticulously crafted.

The DualSense controller in Death Stranding 2 offers stunning realism that enhances the gameplay experience. The vibrations change dynamically based on terrain type, while environmental sounds are streamed directly from the controller, increasing immersion. The light bar colors also change according to Sam's status, while the Triggers provide haptic feedback that adapts to weight, weapon type, and balance level.

The music and sound design represent a significant upgrade compared to the previous installment. The tracks are more distinctive, better utilized, and more emotionally impactful.

Sound feeds the emotional core of Death Stranding 2. From the sound of strong winds to Sam's footsteps in the submerged debris, you feel the world come alive. Players can now create custom playlists... an added feature that enhances personalization.

Continued Full Support for the Arabic Language

PlayStation continues to support players in the Arab region by providing full Arabic translation for Death Stranding 2: On The Beach. The team has meticulously translated the menus and in-game texts, ensuring a smooth and rich experience in Arabic without any notable issues.

Given the game's reliance on philosophical dialogues and complex narrative construction, the meticulous Arabic translation helps players engage more deeply. Dialogues, symbolism, and emotional scenes become easier to understand. As a result, players can follow the story with greater clarity and immersion.

Stunning Graphics and Human Animations

Thanks to the Decima engine, the graphics look amazing. Australia and Mexico are depicted with rich details. Weather effects turn simple journeys into cinematic moments. Additionally, character movements shine; you can see exhaustion, fear, or tenderness through their subtle expressions.

Death Stranding 2 builds on the foundations of the first installment with smarter systems and deeper mechanics. The AI still needs development, and combat requires some polishing. However, for players who dive deep, the game offers an experience that combines emotion with strategic reward.

Death Stranding 2 showcases its graphical strength as one of the most visually stunning games of the generation. The developers have crafted vast environments filled with intricate details, alongside realistic character models and breathtaking natural backgrounds. In many scenes, the graphical quality reaches a level that exceeds expectations and nearly touches realism.

However, it is important to note certain visual limitations. Despite the craftsmanship, world design relies on wide open spaces with limited details. Thus, while the appearance is stunning, the game does not offer the visual density found in some other titles.

Technical Performance: Smooth and Almost Flawless

Death Stranding 2 continues to use music intelligently, just like the first installment. Musical pieces appear during exploration, stealth, or combat, adding emotional depth. As the player approaches objectives, melodies gradually change, enhancing immersion. I particularly noticed this effect during long journeys, where the music slowly builds towards impactful lyrical peaks.

The new aspect here is that the music changes according to gameplay style. Whether you are sneaking, running, or driving, the tones adapt in real-time. These transitions reward players for exploration and bold choices.

The game runs smoothly on PlayStation 5, with loading times being virtually non-existent, and visual effects remain stable even in chaotic moments. Technically, the performance is excellent. Loading times are nearly non-existent thanks to the SSD in PlayStation 5; even during massive battles or harsh weather conditions, the frame rate remains steady.

Dynamic Effects and Immersive Presentation

One of the strongest elements of Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is its dynamic use of visual effects. You can feel the resistance of snow or sand under Sam's feet through the precise graphics and particle systems. BT entities appear with eerie lighting and sound effects that instantly elevate the tension.

Visual effects - such as explosions, sandstorms, rain, flames, and fog - clearly enhance the realism of Death Stranding 2: On the Beach. In many moments, the player automatically slows down just to contemplate the scene of a storm sweeping through the harsh environment.

Conclusion: Familiar Shores, New Reflections

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach relies on the original formula and refines it rather than reinventing it. The development team has reintroduced familiar themes while maintaining their emotional strength. They also granted players broader freedom in traversal and combat, despite a reduced sense of threat. The team has pushed the boundaries of graphics and sound to a new level while maintaining near-perfect technical performance throughout the experience.

Score: 9/10

Pros

Emotional and deep storytelling that includes impactful quiet moments

Vast environments designed with stunning visual beauty

Improvements in the traversal system and valuable infrastructure tools

Flexible combat system that supports multiple play styles

Immersive sound design and strong voice performances

Near-flawless technical performance

Cons

Reuses many narrative elements from the first installment

Some new characters lack sufficient development

The sense of danger during combat is less than before

Asynchronous multiplayer is no longer as innovative as before

** Raouf Belhamra – Electronic Sports and Gaming Writer.