Some Death Stranding 2 reviews have leaked early online just hours before the embargo lifts, and they’re looking very positive.
Death Stranding 2: On The Beach is almost here, and let’s just say the hype has been on another level. Hideo Kojima’s sequel to his 2019 genre-bending release is finally landing on PlayStation 5 later this week, with the official launch set for June 26, 2025. For those who grabbed the Deluxe or Collector’s Editions, early access begins tomorrow, June 24.
Ahead of that, reviews from media outlets are dropping later today, specifically at 5 AM PDT / 8 AM EDT / 1 PM BST. That’s when the embargo officially lifts. But in true internet fashion, it looks like some outlets may have accidentally jumped the gun.
A handful of reviews started showing up early, and the response so far is pretty encouraging.
Some Death Stranding 2 Reviews Leaked Early
One of the leaked reviews came from Kakuchopurei, leaked via OpenCritic, where Jonathan Toyad gave the game a 90/100 score after spending over 35 hours with it. He described the experience as “laced with so many emotions and feelings: boredom, excitement, joy, confusion, and satisfaction.”
Toyad also called out the signature Kojima style, saying the game includes “‘Muffin Man’-style dialogue, bats** insane moments, [and] subtle-as-a-sledgehammer storytelling with obvious symbolism.”* Even with the occasional cringe, he adds, “you won’t be bored with the thread being spun here.”
Read the full verdict below.
“My 35+ hours with Death Stranding 2: On The Beach was laced with so many emotions and feelings: boredom, excitement, joy, confusion, and satisfaction. [Death Stranding 2] still has the trademarks of a Kojima-written narrative -“Muffin Man”-style dialogue, bats*** insane moments, subtle-as-a-sledgehammer storytelling with obvious symbolism. But that’s what makes this sequel all the more endearing; you may cringe at some moments, but you won’t be bored with the thread being spun here.“
Another review surfaced via JeuxVideo.com, where the French outlet gave the game a perfect 5 out of 5 stars. That score alone is enough to get fans even more excited, but the listing appeared early in Google’s preview results, again, due to a scheduling mishap.
This review leak comes just one day after the first hour of gameplay footage leaked online. A YouTube channel posted the full intro sequence with gameplay and cutscenes, from a final retail copy with Spanish voiceover. The video has since been removed, but not before fans caught a glimpse of some early story details.
We’re now just a little over an hour away from the full flood of Death Stranding 2 reviews going live. If the early ones are anything to go by, Kojima’s latest might be another strange but memorable ride.
What do you think so far? Let us know in the comments.
