Death Stranding 2: On the Beach

This has now become my favorite videogame of all time, dethroning the PS4/PS5 Spider-Man games. The story is so complicated to be unraveled in all its forms and yet so simple to understand. One of the most epic adventures in gaming history on the outside but a story of grief, sadness, love and sacrifice on the inside, moved by all these incredibly deep and powerful characters: Sam, Neil, Fragile, Tomorrow, and even supporting characters like Dollman, Tarman and Rainy have compelling and breathtaking backstories and development throughout the game. And in every single frame and line and scene you feel Hideo Kojima's genius and craziness which makes this game the best GOTY contender of 2025. Peak gaming experience🙌

Less than half way through the game it was already a masterpiece but after completing the game it is beyond perfection! I had come a long way from giving up 3 times the first Death Stranding & getting convinced on my 4th run to keep going it "gets better", oh were they correct. Playing both games back to back was an amazing experience seeing what change & what got better. Almost everything got better or upgrade by ALOT! Last time I felt like I played perfection was Elden Ring & before that Resident Evil Village. I fell in love with Elden Ring that I ended up getting platinum because I just couldn't get enough of the feeling it gave me. Now I finished Death Stranding 2 this morning and will continue my journey to platinum. Can only imaging what's next for Hideo to make...

Going through the story was deeply meaningful, far beyond what I ever expected from a video game. Every moment pulled me in, making me feel connected to the characters and the world in a way I've never experienced before. Only few games has ever stirred my emotions like this what an unforgettable experience!

This is, not joking, one of the best gaming experiences I've had in the last 5 years, like the first game, the beginning had my attention engaged here and there with the story being intriguing and confusing, while being fully enthralled with the gameplay. Then you get like 4 hours in and can't stop playing, and the story goes from the most unhinged thing you can imagine to the most soul crushing moments that tear your heart out. The gameplay is even better than the last and with the added music player this easily makes the game one of my favorites of all time purely for being able to take in the scenery with amazing music. The game is truly a masterpiece worth playing as well as the first death stranding. Mr. Kojima I tip my hat to you sir, this game made me feel so much.

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is one of the greatest games to come out this generation (so far). Its gameplay, story, and systems being its biggest strengths. There is so much going on in this game, yet it eases you into all the different gameplay mechanics in a way that makes the learning curve accessible to all. The graphics, voice acting, motion capture, and storytelling are all next level, as well. The dynamic weather system and natural disasters make the world feel like a real, living, place where anything is possible, and you never know what to expect.

There are a variety of enemies which you can combat in several different ways. You can use weapons (including long range, close range, melee, lethal, and non-lethal weapons), hand to hand combat, stealth, or avoid enemies altogether, if you so choose. There are also some very unique, epic, and heart pounding boss fights, with some of the most imaginative bosses I've seen since Elden Ring.

The systems in this game are deep, incredibly well implemented, fun, and addictive. They include crafting, upgrading, and even building various things but I won't get into the sheer depth of it all, in order to avoid spoiling things. There are even a handful of different types of vehicles you can use to your advantage. All having their own set of strengths and weaknesses, making experimenting with them a lot of fun.

This game is very well paced and always keeps you engaged. Hideo Kojima went to great lengths to improve all aspects of this game, over the first one, and he absolutely knocked it out of the park. There are a long list of innovations in this entry, and they are all implemented in ways that feel well thought out, well executed, and well balanced. While the first game was really good, this one is downright incredible.

One of this game's best aspects is its level of immersion. It is very atmospheric and its story is deep and moving. The characters in this game being incredible to the point that you genuinely care about them and what they're going through. They feel like real people in a way that you rarely get to see in video games. Very deep, complex, well acted, and all feeling unique to each other.

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is one of the greatest games to come out this generation (so far). Its gameplay, story, and systems being its biggest strengths. There is so much going on in this game, yet it eases you into all the different gameplay mechanics in a way that makes the learning curve accessible to all. The graphics, voice acting, motion capture, and storytelling are all next level, as well. The dynamic weather system and natural disasters make the world feel like a real, living, place where anything is possible, and you never know what to expect.

Overall, this game is an absolute masterpiece. It is, without a doubt, the best game to come out this year (so far) and a favorite for game of the year 2025.