From award-winning director Hideo Kojima, Death Stranding 2 is set to hit PC on March 19, making the experience accessible to a wider gaming audience. This review covers the polished version, which includes fixes for bugs or glitches that may have occurred during its initial run on the PS5. That being said, it is still unknown how the game will perform on PC, so buyer discretion is advised.
Synopsis
Two years after the events of the first game, the protagonist Sam, a porter, and his child Lou settle down before being summoned again to connect Mexico and Australia to the chiral network to save humanity from extinction.
Same Groundwork, Better Landscaping
Death Stranding 2 keeps its predecessor’s gameplay loop intact, primarily requiring players to travel long distances to deliver packages and connect the world. However, it improves the formula by making it more exciting far earlier.
The first game was controversial for not introducing combat or weapons until four to 10 hours into the story. The sequel carries you through progression faster for a reason, as it introduces greater threats that make deliveries even more dangerous.
The soundtrack is also phenomenal. It retains many of the original tracks due to the tragic passing of composer Ryan Karazija, better known as Low Roar, while including an entire album made for the game by award-winning artist Woodkid (Yoann Lemoine).
The story of Death Stranding 2 is leagues ahead of the first, serving as a conclusion to Sam’s story arc. It continues the series’ themes of bringing people together after being torn apart by forces beyond their control.
The plot beats regarding the importance of connection hit especially hard following the COVID-19 pandemic. The result is an emotional and resonant experience told through a lovable cast. The main villain from the first game, the terrorist Higgs, returns as an engaging character who quickly became a personal favorite.
My Takeaway
Death Stranding 2 is a phenomenal experience recommended to anyone interested. It is a journey that stayed with me days after the credits rolled. If you are willing to play a “package delivery” game for a while, you definitely won’t be disappointed.
Score: 9/10
