Death Stranding 2 Casually Strolls into GOTY Race

Hideo Kojima, the maestro of mind-bending narratives and genre-defying gameplay, has done it again. Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is officially out in the wild, and the critical consensus is thunderous: it's a masterpiece. As reviews flood in, the game is not just meeting lofty expectations but vaulting over them, landing squarely in the category of Game of the Year contender. The twist? Kojima himself seems almost comically dismayed by just how much everyone loves it.

As of this writing, Death Stranding 2 boasts a formidable 90 on Metacritic, a score that's been steadily climbing and comfortably positions it among the year's elite. While a few niche titles and anticipated "Switch 2" editions hold slightly higher, often with fewer reviews, DS2 stands tall as arguably the best-reviewed AAA new release of the year. For context, this stellar 90 significantly outshines the original Death Stranding's already respectable 82 from 2019.

The Washington Post's Gene Park even hailed it as Kojima’s finest work since the legendary Metal Gear Solid 3 (2004) – a monumental claim. Out of 91 reviews, a staggering 25 have awarded it a perfect 10/10, with its lowest scores being a mere two 7s. This isn't just a good game; it's an event.

Echoes from the Critics:

• VGC (10/10): "Death Stranding 2: On The Beach is an all-time great sequel and one of Hideo Kojima's best games... it significantly improves on the original in virtually every way.”

• Guardian (10/10): "Of the many things Death Stranding 2 is trying to say, the message that comes to the fore is: you are never truly alone... Not bad for a game about delivering boxes.”

• The Gamer (9/10): "Death Stranding 2: On The Beach is a hard game to quantify... At its heart, it’s an experience about delivering packages... but play it for just a few hours, and you’ll see it’s so much more than that.”

The "Curse" of Excellence

Here’s where the narrative takes a uniquely Kojima-esque turn. The director, known for challenging players (famously replacing Solid Snake with Raiden in MGS2), confessed to Edge magazine his slight annoyance at Death Stranding 2's overwhelmingly positive reception. "Everyone seems to be positive," he lamented. "I do wish I was a bit more controversial."

This isn't just playful contrarianism. Musician Woodkid, a collaborator on the soundtrack, revealed to Rolling Stone that Kojima, upon seeing high test scores, felt "something is wrong." Kojima's philosophy? "I want people to end up liking things they didn’t like when they first encountered it, because that’s where you end up loving something."

Perhaps Kojima underestimated how profoundly the original Death Stranding, with its themes of isolation and connection, resonated during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. What was once divisive became prescient, its "friction and daring flirtation with boredom" (as one review put it) evolving into a "haunting and hypnotic moodscape" that got under players' skin.

Building on a Unique Foundation

So, how does On the Beach achieve this near-universal praise while still being undeniably Death Stranding? It seems Kojima Productions has masterfully refined, rather than reinvented. The game doesn't try to win over those who bounced off the original's core "post-apocalyptic gig worker" loop. Instead, it doubles down, making the experience "bigger, prettier, funnier, and more endearing."

Key Enhancements Include:

• A More Present Narrative: Sam Porter Bridges (Norman Reedus) now operates from the DHV Magellan, a mobile hub fostering more frequent interactions with a compelling cast, including Léa Seydoux’s Fragile, Elle Fanning as the enigmatic Tomorrow, Shioli Kutsuna as the life-giving Rainy, and the delightfully bizarre Dollman.

• Dynamic and Treacherous Worlds: Beyond familiar rocky terrains, players will navigate lush jungles, arid deserts, and contend with natural disasters like volcanic lava flows, mudslides, and lightning storms. Australia and Mexico are stunningly reimagined, feeling almost alien.

• Refined Gameplay & Combat: While the meditative hikes remain central, combat against human MULEs and new BT forms (including bosses and motorcycle sentries!) is less frustrating and more integral, with improved gunplay, stealth options, and even the ability to fight while riding a bike. An excellent suite of VR-style training missions helps onboard players.

• Yoji Shinkawa's Unrivaled Artistry: The visual design remains a standout, with Shinkawa's sleek tech, primal organic imagery, and spectral visions creating an unforgettable sci-fi dreamscape.

The consensus is that Death Stranding 2 is more comfortable in its own skin. The pacing is smoother, character focus is heightened, and while Kojima's signature dense lore and philosophical musings are present, they feel more integrated.

The Strand Connects Again on June 26th

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach launches Thursday, June 26th, exclusively on PlayStation 5. While a PC port seems likely down the line (mirroring the original's release pattern), console players get first dibs.

Ultimately, Hideo Kojima might have inadvertently created his most universally beloved game since his Metal Gear days. While he may have wished for more debate, the gaming world seems united in its praise. Death Stranding 2 isn't just a sequel; it's a confident, expansive, and deeply engaging evolution of a truly unique vision. Prepare to reconnect.