Critics fell for Death Stranding 2 : On the Beach And enthusiasm is almost unanimous. Hideo Kojima may well have signed one of his best games.
In 2019, Death Stranding had divided the players. Some greeted his audacity, this ode to wandering and human connection, while others denounced the egotrip of a hideo kojima in a free wheel, where the mixture of genres led to a crazy, even unfinished product. And we will not make the affront to talk about its dispensable Director’s Cut edition. In any case, the title has met with real success, with more than 5 million copies sold and 20 million players in total (via the subscription services).
Six years later, Kojima returns with the same formula, an open world ravaged, and Sam Porter Bridges (Norman Reedus) responsible for reconnecting humanity, this time since Australia, after the United States. The threats evolve, the bizarre characters multiply, but the mission remains the same. The first criticisms fell for Death Stranding 2 : On the Beach et they are extremely positive. Press review.
Death Stranding 2 : Beach boys
“Death Stranding 2 is a major success for Hideo Kojima and his studio Kojima Productions. The game improves everything that made the singularity of the first opus, while refining most of its mechanics to make them more accessible. Visually dazzling, it introduces enough new features to bring a breath of freshness without ever betraying the deep identity of the franchise. Without a doubt one of the best games of the year, and a reward that lives up to the six long years of waiting. »»
Rhett Waselenchuk – GOGconnected
“Like his elder, Death Stranding 2 will divide opinion. […] It is also a visually and technically impeccable game and the theme of connection with others is always an incredible engine, making us interact with other players that we will never see. It is a trip that we will remember for a long time and which is part of a form of continuity for Kojima. »»
Kelmazad – Gambling
“Intended to become one of the emblematic games of the PS5 generation, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is a total feat of design, gameplay, narration and artistic direction. Where these four dimensions come together, Kojima Productions signs a real cinematic spectacle, capable of passing with a disconcerting fluidity of exploration action, all carried by one of the most captivating narration of the moment. »»
Liam Croft – Push Square
“Death Stranding 2 risks rising in turn to the rank of masterpieces with the faithful of the early hours, and the refractories of the original concept have no reason not to continue to have their back turned. Hideo Kojima was intimately held that this sequel did not be unanimous, well that he would reassure herself, she should walk in the footsteps of her predecessor. »»
Fauchina – Actugaming
“Death Stranding 2: On the Beach stands out as an exceptional series, and one of the best games in Hideo Kojima. His breathtaking world, his gameplay widely enriched and open to the player’s choices, as well as one of the most captivating castings and stories of Kojima’s career, make it a real evolution of the first opus – an almost total improvement on all levels. »»
Jordan Middler – VideoGamesChronicles
“In the end, Death Stranding 2 turned out to be a deeply emotional and intensely pleasant experience, carried by strong moments that it is almost impossible to let go. My only real regret – And it is in size –is that Kojima Productions did not pushing further the evolution of the gameplay compared to the original. »»
Connor Makar – VG247
“We can cross the whole game by contenting ourselves with the main missions, without ever really stopping-but the real richness of Death Stranding 2 lies in the off-piste, in these moments when we take the time to exchange, to discover what drives these secondary characters. We often gain new equipment or objects, but even more: we gain a link. »»
Jade King – The Gamer
“A significant part of the Death Stranding 2 budget seems to have been invested in some of the most eccentric and disconcerting ideas of the game – and that’s good. I love it. […] And the conclusion is particularly disappointing. Fortunately, I still have the opportunity to build a few zip lines and roads still … and to find, at least, the satisfaction of the job well done. »»
Zack twisters – My city
“Death Stranding 2 is not a bad game. It is a beautiful game. But he disappointed precisely where the first was surprised: by leveling the difficulty, making the crossing trivial, by sweetening what made the original game a rough and unforgettable experience. Kojima here seems to give in to the temptation of comfort and past criticism, delivering a more accessible but less meaningful game. Far from extending his vision, on the Beach seems to mark his breathlessness. »»
Critix – IGN France
Critics agree that Death Stranding 2 is a successful suite, ambitious, more accessible and richer than its elder. Technically stunning, narratively more fluid, aesthetically striking, the title seems to be the work of the maturity of Kojima Productions and succeeds in being less divisive, while remaining faithful to its DNA and retaining absurd moments typically Kojima-Esques.
With a score of 90/100 on Metacritic, and 91/100 on Open Critic, Death Stranding 2 seems to establish itself as a very serious competitor as sacrosanct “Goty” 2025, just behind the surprise Clear obscure: Expedition 33 (93 on Metacritic), which continues to trusse the top of the catwalks on the rating aggregation platforms.
Death Stranding 2 : On the Beach will be available exclusively on PlayStation 5 from June 26, 2025.
