Entertainmentodeath Stranding 2 is an erratic, confusing and emotionally brutalwork masterpiece Hideo Kojima game is a walking simulator, surrealist science fiction warning tale and one of the most ambitious games of decade writing

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach It’s like a symphony – a beautiful classic concert where, occasionally, an electric guitar enters tearing with a disconcerting but surprisingly good riff. In all, it’s strange and irregular, but there is something undeniably fascinating how these disparate parts fit.

If there is something that Death Stranding 2 There is no lack of ambition. This is one of the most grandiose and bold games of Hideo Kojima (Metal Gear Solid) – An even deeper dive into the vision and style of the original game. The new chapter deals with many topics: how we perceive death and mourning, how the routine shapes our lives, a critique of US imperialism, a post-reflection postCovid about isolation and a warning about the dangers of technological dependence and artificial intelligence. It’s too much to process, but Kojima It can somehow intertwine every dissonant note in something unique – not only in games, but in any way.

Death Stranding 2 It is beautiful and chaotic at the same time; A story as confusing as it is engaged, with a gameplay that varies between inventive and exhaustively repetitive. Who didn’t like the first Death Stranding (2019) will be hardly convinced now, but everyone else has an unforgettable journey. It is a game of contrasts, which is never content to be just one thing – and is one of the best of the year, if not the generation.

A FAMILY FUTURE

Death Stranding 2 It is about 11 months after the first game. Although there is a long introductory video to recap the story, it is highly recommended that much of the previous title has been played.

The plot unfolds in the distant future, after a cataclysmic event known as Death Stranding Having decimated much of humanity, leaving the survivors isolated. Called paranormal creatures BEACHED THINGS (BTS) Infest the world, and whenever they consume a dead human, they cause a Voidout – An explosion of atomic proportions. This made post-apocalyptic delivery (Porters), like the protagonist Sam Bridges (interpreted by Norman Reedus), essential for transporting supplies and connecting communities.

After the events of the first game, Sam and your daughter Lou fled to Mexico, seeking an isolated life, far from the control of the UCA (United Colonies of America). In the previous game, Sam reconnected the US through a kind of metaphysical internet called Chiral Network. Now, living in Mexico, it is hit by a new tragedy, and the UCA He wants his help to expand the network again to Mexico and Australia – gathering more parts of the world.

But gathering the US ended up making the rest of the planet even more unstable – and criticism of the idea of ​​“making the United States big again” and its global consequences is quite clear.

Gameplay updates (and frustrations)

Before entering the details of the story and the themes, it is worth mentioning how the gameplay structure of Death Stranding 2 impacts the narrative experience. Switching between sudden tone changes faithfully reflects what it is to play the game.

In essence, it is still a delivery simulator. As Sam Reconnect Mexico and Australia, it should make deliveries to different installations and connect them to the network. The player begins on foot – inspired by the traditional Japanese porters (Bokka) – but gradually unlocks transportation: vehicles, zip lines, catapults, monorahs, teleportes and more. Mexico acts as a tutorial area before the transition to Australia, where the game really expands.

The system Strand – which allows to see and use buildings from other players in the world – returns as a central part of mechanics.

The most impressive part is how the game remains true to the original view, improving what had already been done. The slow and methodical delivery of the first game remains the core of the experience. This may drive away some, but for others it is part of the charm.

Although there is more action and combat, the game still values ​​the reflective walk. And that is admirable. There are more options to complete deliveries: extract ore, build monotrils, travel by motorcycle, or use transponders for teleportation. The ship DHV MAGELLAN It works as a mobile base.

New environmental dangers arise, such as the Plate Gatesportals that cause earthquakes and shock waves, or avalanches in the snowy mountains. The world looks more alive: new types of BTSmercenaries, bandits and Ghost Mechs arise and require creativity and preparation in combat.

The combat is more dynamic and polished, with improved weapons and even comical elements, such as grenades that capture BTS Big (in style Pokémon) and make them fight to the sound of a soundtrack in style Godzilla 1970s.

There is also a new skill system, the APAS enhancementswith specific improvements – such as filling the canteen more easily or increasing the cadence of weapons.

However, there are still annoying aspects: changing weapons requires navigating menus and unloaded weapons need to be discarded manually. The new dodge system only works by aiming at a weapon. Small discomfort persist, the result of insistence on prioritizing the “hiking simulator”.

On the other hand, the bosses represent a gigantic quality leap. They are epic battles against fantastic creatures or in scenarios that challenge the laws of physics. In a fight, Sam It is in a underwater world with lunar gravity. In another, faces soldiers in a style monorail The origin. The last hours of the game deliver a true visual delirium – in the best sense.

And it is this contrast that makes Death Stranding 2 So fascinating: epic cinematic moments balanced with long meditative routine excerpts. This juxtaposition reinforces the themes of habit and how humans get used to the most overwhelming situations.

Heavy themes and distressing narrative

The story of Death Stranding 2 It is brave, current and sometimes painfully self -referential. Kojima It makes several allusions to your own career – which can be captivating or pretentious, depending on the point of view.

Without spoilers, just say that there are surprising twists at the beginning that redefine the entire journey of Sam. It is, fired, the darker story than Kojima He has said – approaching suicide, depression, mourning and more.

The pandemic of Covid-19 directly influenced the narrative, as the Kojima stated. There is a powerful message about the importance of human contact and real connection. Violence is also a central theme: how ordinary people understand it and how governments use it as a power tool – reflected in both narrative and gameplay.

Most characters in the previous game returns, including the villain Higgs (Troy Baker), now much better developed. New characters also shine: Rainy (Shioli Kutsuna), a girl who makes it rain Timefall When leaving home and lives isolated by society, and Dollman (Fatih Akinvoice of Jonathan Roumie), a tragicomic character whose soul inhabits a ventriloquist doll.

The most impressive is that no character is disposable – everyone has real importance in the plot. Their stories reflect how the pursuit of power shapes lives and how death is always present in choices.

The arc of Sam It is moving – a family journey, love and sacrifice, which leads the player to emotionally unexpected places.

Despite tonal jumps and erratic rhythm, the story works due to the strength of its themes and characters. Epic moments live with long periods of silence. Human emotions are expressed through surreal images. It is this contrast that gives personality to the game.

A rare and bold heel

Even more than the first game, Death Stranding 2 It is something that will be debated for years. Your messages and ideas will be analyzed and reinterpreted for a long time – for good or for evil. And that is what makes this game so important now: in a market dominated by safe formulas, it is a brave anomaly.

It is not a sequence that seeks to please. It is a bet that goes even deeper into the stranger. In an industry obsessed with predictable franchises, it is invigorating to see something so bold on scale and concept.

Of course, just someone like Hideo Kojima It would have a white letter to create something like that- Death Stranding 2 It is almost a “monster of Frankenstein“Made as a tribute to the” authors “worship of video games. A game moved by ambition without brakes. At times, it is uncomfortable, exhaustive, indecipherable – but this is part of its power. Experience can mean something completely different for each player.

At a time when the industry suffers from layoffs, cancellations and creative stagnation, games like Death Stranding 2 They are rare. Something grand, beautiful, ambitious, chaotic and imperfect – all at the same time. It is not for everyone, but for those who risk it, it is an experience that defines a generation.

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach will be launched on June 26 to PlayStation 5.