New York: If the original Death Stranding confused you, this sequel might break you — in the best way possible.
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach picks up Hideo Kojima’s signature style — emotional storytelling wrapped in mind-bending sci-fi — and amplifies it. Set in post-apocalyptic Australia, the sequel doesn’t just expand the lore; it evolves it. Every moment feels heavier, more meaningful. Even silence becomes sacred.
And you’re not alone if this gave you chills. With a cast that includes Norman Reedus, Léa Seydoux, Elle Fanning, and even George Miller, Kojima once again turns a video game into visual poetry.
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Metacritic Score for Death Stranding 2: A New Benchmark
As of now, Death Stranding 2 holds a 90/100 Metacritic score, based on 90+ critic reviews — significantly higher than the original game (82) and Death Stranding: Director’s Cut (85). That places it in the top 10 highest-rated games of 2025.
Major publications like:
- VideoGamer: 9/10
- Forbes: Called it a “GOTY contender”
- Rolling Stone: “A cinematic, emotional evolution in game form”
- IGN: “Deeper gameplay, cinematic pacing, and emotional resonance.”
Other outlets like PlayStation LifeStyle praise the PS5 Pro version for “flawless visual performance and emotionally adaptive sound design.”
Emotional Core: This Isn’t Just a Sequel, It’s a Statement
RadioTimes summed it up perfectly:
“A treatise on the nature of humanity… an experience I will never forget.”
Themes of isolation, memory, and healing are baked into the game’s mechanics. The traversal still matters — not because you’re carrying packages, but because you’re carrying emotional weight. The story is less about survival and more about why we keep going.
Visuals, Sound & PS5 Pro: Kojima’s Best-Looking Game Yet?
From wide salt plains to shimmering skies, this is easily Kojima’s most visually daring project. On PS5 Pro, players get near-instant load times and buttery-smooth 60fps in performance mode.
But the standout? The soundtrack.
Composed by Ludvig Forssell and Woodkid, it adapts to your gameplay in real time — creating a haunting, immersive atmosphere that elevates every emotional beat.
Death Stranding 2 Review Embargo Lifted: What That Means
The official Death Stranding 2 review embargo lifted on June 23, 2025, just ahead of its global release. This strategic timing allowed all top outlets — Forbes, Rolling Stone, Guardian, The Washington Post — to drop reviews simultaneously, creating a wave of attention on launch week.
The consensus is clear: Death Stranding 2 isn’t just good — it’s one of the boldest, most emotionally affecting games of the decade.
Final Verdict
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is not for everyone. It’s slow, deliberate, and deeply introspective. But if you let yourself feel its rhythm — if you walk with its ghosts — it just might be the most unforgettable game you’ll ever play.
⭐ ZizzPost Rating: 4.5/5
A hauntingly beautiful sequel that cements Kojima’s place as gaming’s most fearless storyteller.
