It appears we have another game of the year candidate on our hands.
Step aside Expedition 33, Kingdom Come 2, and Blue Prince. Death Stranding 2: On the Beach has arrived on the scene to glowing reviews and entered itself into the 2025 GOTY discussion, with many calling this director Hideo Kojima’s best work.
With 94 critic reviews, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach boasts a 90 Metascore on Metacritic. Reviews are mentioning that the game is a vast improvement on the original from a gameplay perspective, but that the story work may be some of Kojima’s best, along with stunning visuals on PS5 Pro to bring it all together.
“While I’m playing Death Stranding 2, I realize I am witnessing Kojima and his studio, Kojima Productions, at the peak of their powers, creating blockbuster popular art that challenges its audiences with enigmatic, often inscrutable storytelling,” Washington Post writer Gene Park said in his review. “This time, Kojima and longtime co-writers Kenji Yano and Shuyo Murata have written the cleanest, most complete narrative since Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater.“
“Even after putting 50 hours into the game – which involved a hefty number of side missions, but not even close to all of them – and seeing the credits roll, I’m eager to continue playing,” said ScreenRant’s Kyle Gratton. “The wide range of tools at your disposal makes delivering cargo in Death Stranding 2 satisfying in a way that no other game is. Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is emotional and fascinating from the outset, and it’s a journey I will continue to cherish as an improvement on what was already one of my favorite video games.”
I was a huge fan of the original game, regardless of the “walking simulator” accusations, so I will be playing this ASAP and likely adding it to my list of discussion for game of the year. I do think Expedition 33 will be tough to beat, but if anyone can surpass it, it’s a wild mind like Kojima.
And so I now ask you, dear reader, will you be playing Death Stranding 2: On the Beach to kick off your 2025 summer?
The post POLL: Will you be picking up Death Stranding 2? appeared first on Destructoid.