Kojima Productions’ sequel to 2019’s Death Stranding is finally out, and reviews are pouring in. Here’s a quick look at what critics are saying about Death Stranding 2: On The Beach.
Hideo Kojima’s latest game, Death Stranding 2: On The Beach, is finally here, or at least it will be very soon. The PlayStation 5 exclusive officially launches on June 26, 2025, with early access kicking off two days earlier for those who picked up the Digital Deluxe or Collector’s Edition.
Developed by Kojima Productions, the sequel brings back Norman Reedus as Sam Bridges and picks up the story just under a year after the original. This time around, the journey takes Sam to a reimagined version of Australia, as he tries to reconnect scattered communities and stop an even bigger threat. The review embargo has now lifted, and critics have started sharing their thoughts on the game.
In this article, we’re breaking down what reviewers are saying about Death Stranding 2: On The Beach, including how it’s doing on Metacritic, OpenCritic, and some of the biggest sites out there.
What Critics Are Saying About Death Stranding 2: On The Beach
The good news? Reviews are largely very positive. Critics are praising the game’s unique atmosphere, emotional storytelling, and the bold way it builds on the original. Some have called it Kojima’s most ambitious project yet, though not everyone is sold on the pacing.
Metacritic:
Currently sitting at 88/100 based on 64 critic reviews. Most reviews fall in the “generally favorable” range.
OpenCritic:
Holding a Top Critic Average of 88 based on 36 critic reviews. 92% of critics recommend the game.
Individual Review Scores
IGN – 9/10
“The original Death Stranding held promise: A complex, often confusing, but never contrived first draft. A reflective journey across a lost America, it established a world and its rules with a flourish, even if I found it stumbled along the path. But in Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, Australia plays host to an expanded vision and is a more accomplished achievement in nearly every facet. It removes almost all of the friction that weighed down its rookie effort, delighting with a truly unpredictable story full of intrigue and malleable stealth-action playgrounds hidden in its vast, hauntingly beautiful version of Australia.
“Yes, at times, it is unapologetically weird – but that isn’t what defines it. It’s an inventive journey packed full of both shock and awe, the sort of bold work that deserves to be encouraged. No, it isn’t perfect, but it’s incredibly exciting and original, never once straying from the path less trodden, and I love it all the more for it.”
GameSpot – 7/10
“The first Death Stranding was eerily prescient. Releasing in 2019, it was impossible to divorce it from the COVID-19 pandemic that followed a year later, the parallels between preppers living in bunkers and people struggling to find ways to connect with others reflecting a period of quarantine and uncertainty about the future. By contrast, Death Stranding 2 is less precise and clear about what it wants to say; it seems committed to making you ponder many things at once, inviting different takeaways.
“Its story touches on topics like the increasing harms of climate change, how our everyday actions are being automated with each passing day, the damaging presence of guns, the clash between governments and privately owned entities, and the importance of helping others in any way we can. If the sequel is prescient of anything, it is that fixation on the past binds us to repeat history, no matter how much we try to pretend otherwise.”
GamesRadar+ – 4/5
“Death Stranding 2: On the Beach builds on the foundations of the original, but adds whole new wings with a different vibe. This tarpunk delivery epic is more Metal Gear Solid than ever, for better and worse – but it well serves series fans like me. Charmingly bizarre with its worldbuilding and spectacle, there’s still a real sense of community as you bring the world online with other players at your side.”
Eurogamer – 4/5
“A busier, louder, and more emotionally resplendent take on this singular hiking sim.”
VGC – 5/5
“Death Stranding 2: On The Beach is an all-time great sequel and one of Hideo Kojima’s best games. With a stunning world, greatly expanded gameplay and player choice, and one of Kojima’s most compelling casts and narratives, it significantly improves on the original in virtually every way.”
VG247 – 4/5
“Ultimately, playing through Death Stranding 2 was an emotional and utterly enjoyable experience, full of thrills and impossible to put down during its bigger moments. My only negative feeling towards it is also unfortunately a big one, that I wish Kojima Productions went further in evolving this sequel from the original. When the story goes to such an extent to explore new grounds, it’s kind of a shame the gameplay feels the need to play it safe.”
Dexerto – 5/5
“Death Stranding 2 is a phenomenal offering. It’s among Kojima’s very best work not just for its narrative, but for the near-limitless variability in its gameplay opportunities.”
Press Start Australia – 10/10
“Death Stranding 2: On The Beach does everything it can to eclipse the original in practically every way, improving on the systems surrounding the already solid core of the original. The result is a livelier world to explore, an engaging story to experience and an overall much better paced adventure through Australia that I struggled to put down. It’s well worth your time and more respectful of it too.”
TechRadar Gaming – 5/5
“Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is a great example of a sequel that expands on the original without losing sight of it. The traversal is still the star of the show, while the action has been significantly improved without taking over the experience. While a conventional plot takes the back seat for a more character-driven story, the new cast of characters and a phenomenal final third act stick the landing with prime Hideo Kojima bombast.”
Inverse – 9/10
“Death Stranding 2: On The Beach may not be for everyone. But if it is for you, it’s one of the most enjoyable games of 2025, a must-see follow-up that is more cohesive, refined, and fully developed than the first.”
A few reviews and impressions made their way online before the embargo officially lifted, thanks to some early leaks. But beyond that, things are looking pretty great for Death Stranding 2: On The Beach. It’s getting a lot of praise from critics so far, though, just like the first game, it probably won’t be everyone’s cup of tea.
Have you checked out any of the reviews yourself? Are you planning to play it on launch day, or are you still deciding? Let us know what you think in the comments.
