My review for Death Stranding 2: On The Beach
#deathstranding2 #review #fullgame #impression #opinion
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#deathstranding2 #review #fullgame #impression #opinion
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For more content check me out at https://www.youtube.com/@realcsomm
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00:00Last time I played Death Stranding was when I grabbed the game for free from Epic Games
00:04Store.
00:05That was 3 years ago.
00:07And that was my second time playing the game.
00:10This pretty much is a dead giveaway that I liked the first one.
00:13So naturally, when I saw Death Stranding 2 being announced, I knew that one day it would
00:18be ported to PC and sure as hell that happened couple of weeks ago.
00:22As you might expect, obviously, I jumped into the game to once again accompany our boy Sam
00:27on his journey to connect the world just like he did it in the first game.
00:32And right at the start, just before you like the video and subscribe to the channel, it's
00:36pretty obvious that if you like the first one, there is a high chance you will like the second
00:41one as well.
00:42I played it for 100 hours or so, finished the main story and I have almost all facilities
00:47at 5 stars.
00:49It is safe to say Death Stranding 2 doesn't reinvent the wheel.
00:53What it does, it basically refines it.
00:55The same core formula is there, but executed better.
00:59The pacing is noticeably improved.
01:01You have fewer of long dragging stretches, especially when compared to the early hours
01:06of the first game.
01:07I was actually a bit surprised how fast I was done with the first area of the second game.
01:12Also with all these enhancements to the previous mechanics, I was also being continuously impressed
01:18the way they changed things.
01:20For example, the level 2 road upgrades are fantastic and it was such a cool feeling to
01:25me when I realized it was a possibility.
01:27There's more variety in mission design, more meaningful site content and a stronger sense
01:33that you're constantly progressing rather than grinding.
01:36Don't get me wrong, the grind is still there, especially if you wanna complete every shelter
01:41on 5 stars, but it doesn't feel that egregious as before.
01:46Tools and upgrades are introduced at a much better rhythm, and more importantly, they actually
01:51feel impactful when you get them, whether it's a traversal option, combat tool or infrastructure
01:58system.
01:59However, that sense of growth from the first game, from struggling courier to highly efficient
02:05operator is still present.
02:06Thing is, if you are a Death Stranding veteran, this might not fully resonate with you.
02:12Let me explain.
02:14You see, while the second game clearly improves on the original in many areas, you might say
02:19it doesn't take the kind of bold, risky leaps you would expect, especially from someone
02:24like Kojima.
02:26Instead of delivering a completely new or groundbreaking experience, the sequel might come across for
02:32you as a refined remix of the first game, sticking closely to the same core ideas and structures.
02:38If you were expecting something more experimental or even radical, this can feel a bit disappointing.
02:44It's still a better, more polished experience overall, but for some of you it might not push
02:50boundaries in the way you were hoping.
02:52Another point that I would raise is all about accessibility.
02:56While the game is more accessible, for some players it might have gone a bit too far in
03:01that direction.
03:02The expanded toolkit, improved systems and more developed infrastructure, like roads,
03:07ziplines and other player-built elements, can significantly reduce the challenge that
03:12defined the original experience.
03:14What used to feel like a constant struggle against the environment now becomes much more
03:19manageable, and for some, that might remove a key part of the game's identity.
03:24In the first game, every successful delivery felt earned because of the obstacles you had
03:30to overcome.
03:31What's more, all those successful deliveries are the result of you preparing the terrain
03:36in order to complete them by rebuilding roads, creating zipline networks, all that good stuff.
03:42In the second game, however, that feeling is a bit less impactful.
03:46I'll give you an example.
03:47In that stranding, using that small truck was only viable on roads and maybe in certain
03:54environments where you had relatively flat land in front of you.
03:57In that stranding too, however, pickup off-roader can be used almost anywhere, especially when
04:03you upgrade its tires.
04:04Every single location is reachable with it and there is absolutely no need to use anything
04:10else.
04:10I, myself, made a small zipline network in the mountains mostly because of nostalgia since,
04:15to me, ziplines were so amazing in the first game, I actually connected everything with
04:20them.
04:20But in the second one, there really is no need to do that, which leads me to conclude that
04:26the tension from the first game was replaced with efficiency.
04:29So, while the game is undeniably less frustrating, it can also feel less rewarding in certain
04:35moments and you can argue that the balance has shifted towards convenience at the cost
04:39of satisfaction.
04:40You can look at this situation in what I call an identity trade-off.
04:45By making the game more accessible, faster-paced and more action-orientated, that stranding
04:51too opens the door to a wider audience, especially newcomers who might have bounced off the original.
04:57But at the same time, that shift comes at a cost.
05:00The first game has a very distinct tone, which I might say was slow and methodical, and that's
05:07exactly what made it stand out.
05:09Here, with more streamlined systems and stronger focus on action, some players might feel that
05:15unique atmosphere has been diluted.
05:17It's not gone, but it's less dominant.
05:20So you might end up with split reactions, new players are more likely to enjoy the experience,
05:25while long-time fans might feel like something important has been lost along the way.
05:31It's a classic case of broadening appeal versus preserving identity, and some might not agree
05:36the balance was handled perfectly.
05:38However, this shift was planned and executed by devs themselves, and there is a good reason
05:44for it.
05:44In recent interview, Kojima gave some insights about how they approached development of Death
05:49Stranding 2, including the tricky subject of difficulty.
05:53Here is a direct quote.
05:54We gave a lot of thought to difficulty, Kojima says.
05:58He notes that despite ultimately attracting over 20 million players, the original Death Stranding
06:03had some pretty sharp edges, so improving playability was one thing he was conscious of with the
06:10sequel.
06:10We wanted to retain the theme and gameplay mechanics, but make adjustments so it's easier
06:15to play.
06:16That's why we added more vehicles, for example.
06:19So yeah, I know I'm playing a devil's advocate here, but I felt this topic was important to
06:25point out.
06:26If you want my raw opinion about this, I would say that this doesn't bother me that much,
06:31and I wouldn't mind having more players being exposed to this franchise because it certainly
06:35can help the franchise as a whole, particularly when or if it comes to making the third game.
06:42Also, if you want more challenge, you can always turn off shared content in the game's
06:47settings, meaning structures made by other players, so there is that as well.
06:51It's certainly an interesting way to play the game if you ask me.
06:54One of the most noticeable improvements, and honestly one of the biggest surprises for me,
06:59is that the combat is actually pretty good this time around.
07:03In the original, the combat felt clunky, awkward, and more like an afterthought, but here it's
07:08been significantly reworked to feel smoother, more responsive, and far more intentional.
07:14Controls are tighter, encounters are better designed, and there is a clear shift towards
07:18more action-orientated gameplay with elements that strongly echo Metal Gear Solid.
07:23Things like stealth options, varied enemy encounters, and more satisfying gunplay.
07:28The game gives you more flexibility in how you approach the situation, whether you want
07:32to go in quietly or take a more aggressive route.
07:36This makes combat feel like a meaningful part of the overall experience rather than something
07:40you're trying to avoid.
07:41And considering how much of a weak point it was in the first game, this improvement alone
07:46is a big reason why many players could see the sequel as a major step forward.
07:52When it comes to visuals, atmosphere, and overall presentation, Death Stranding 2 is on another
07:57level, and this is something that always feels amazing.
08:01The game is stunning, with incredibly detailed environments, realistic lightning, and a level
08:06of visual fidelity that makes every landscape feel almost photorealistic.
08:11I don't really care about graphics that much, but even I cannot stay idle on the things I
08:16have seen.
08:17But it's not just about graphics.
08:19The sound design and music play a huge role in elevating the experience, creating moments
08:24that feel cinematic without trying too hard.
08:27Whether it's the quiet ambiance of an empty world or a perfectly timed track kicking in
08:33during a long journey, everything works together to immerse you completely.
08:37And through all of this, you still feel that unmistakable signature of Kojima, that blends
08:43and artistic direction, surreal elements, and cinematic flair that gives the game its identity.
08:48The result is a presentation that leaves an impression, and you wouldn't be the only
08:54one thinking this is one of the best-looking and most immersive games available right now.
08:59Story-wise, Death Stranding 2 fully leans into that signature Hideo Kojima style.
09:05Emotional, strange, and unapologetically philosophical.
09:09As per usual, this isn't a game with a straightforward narrative.
09:13It's layered, symbolic, and often deliberately weird, but that's exactly what I have experienced
09:19in the first game.
09:20The game continues to explore heavy themes like isolation and human connection, but also
09:25expands into ideas around AI, tech, and how society evolves in response to both.
09:31It constantly asks questions rather than giving clear answers, which makes it feel more like
09:36an experience you interpret rather than just follow.
09:39If you have connected with the first game's storytelling, this feels like a natural continuation.
09:45Bigger in scope, deeper in its themes, and just as bold in how it presents them.
09:50But at the same time, it's still very much Kojima being Kojima.
09:53So if that style clicked with you before, there is a good chance it's going to land even harder
09:59here.
09:59I like the way he tells the story, being very obscure in the beginning and then later on everything
10:04is revealed which is great because it gives you opportunities to brainstorm on various
10:09plot points that you encounter as you progress the story, only to realize at the very end how
10:15wrong you were with your predictions as well as how everything falls perfectly in the place
10:20once you have obtained all the puzzle pieces.
10:22It's simply amazing and I really enjoyed it and I don't think you can ever tell a story like this
10:28in some other way other than doing what Kojima is doing.
10:31Before I'm done with this review, I'd like to share things that I had issues with in
10:36this game.
10:37One character, Dolman to be precise, started to annoy me big time with his Captain Obvious
10:42remarks.
10:43The damned puppet doesn't know how to shut up and I wanted to yeet him off a cliff so
10:48many times, but the way the game works you simply cannot do that.
10:52Every single time he has to point out that I have collected all the cargo required to finish
10:57a delivery.
10:58And I'm like, dude, I know.
11:00I see the prompts on the screen.
11:02I know what I'm doing.
11:04Just shut the fuck up.
11:05He is very good when he needs to give a recap about the story or things that happened in the
11:11first game.
11:12But for the love of God, I don't need him to continuously babble about every minute thing
11:18I'm currently doing.
11:19It would have been so nice if I could just mute him or something along the lines, because
11:24right now, even when I'm playing the game after I finish the main story, he is still
11:29doing his fucking shenanigans.
11:32Another minor issue I have problems with would be the storage limit you have aboard the Magellan,
11:37as well as in your private locker.
11:39Naturally, I hoard stuff like a madman and sometimes I couldn't stash everything in one place.
11:44This can annoy you a bit when you are trying to organize your delivery process, but it can
11:49be avoided by other means, like putting stuff on the Magellan or having a couple of places
11:54where you stash your stuff.
11:56But yeah, centralized place would be a nice thing, but it is what it is.
12:00To conclude, if you were someone who liked the first Death Stranding, there's a very
12:05good chance you'll see this as a clear upgrade.
12:08It's better designed, more polished and simply more enjoyable on a moment-to-moment basis.
12:12The improvements to pacing, combat and traversal all add up to a smoother, more refined experience
12:19that builds on what worked before.
12:21But on the flip side, if the original game didn't click with you, this sequel probably
12:25isn't going to change your mind.
12:27There was an effort to do so, but at its core, it's still built around the same fundamental
12:32ideas and gameplay loop.
12:34So while it improves the formula, it doesn't reinvent it and that means your enjoyment will largely
12:39depend on how you felt about the first game going in.
12:43For yours truly, it was a really cool experience and I really had a blast with it and as things
12:48stand, I wanna see a third game becoming reality as well.
12:52Might be wishful thinking, but I'm always interested in diving into this world and its lore.
12:57Let me know in the comments what you think about Death Stranding 2.
13:01What are your impressions about it?
13:03Comment section is there for a reason.
13:04I read all of your comments and I'm very happy to interact with you guys.
13:08If you enjoyed this video, consider liking it and subscribing for more discussions like this.
13:14And that's it from me, until the next one.
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