The Death Stranding 2: On the Beach review embargo has been lifted, with early reviews positioning the upcoming title as one of the highest-rated games of 2025. The positive reception reinforces Sony’s decision to make Death Stranding 2 its flagship PlayStation exclusive for summer 2025.
The original Death Stranding received mixed reviews when it launched in late 2019. While it holds a respectable average score of 83 on OpenCritic, opinions were divided: some critics lamented its slow pace and focus on traversal, inventory management, and fetch quests, while others hailed it as one of the most innovative games in recent memory, asserting it cemented Hideo Kojima’s reputation as a gaming auteur. According to OpenCritic data, nearly one-quarter of reviewers did not recommend Death Stranding, showcasing an unusually low endorsement rate for a game that some have called a masterpiece.
Unlike its predecessor, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is reportedly receiving much more favorable feedback. Since the release of its review embargo on June 23, the sequel has garnered a wealth of positive critiques, achieving a “Mighty” rating on OpenCritic with an impressive average score of 90 and a recommendation rate nearing 97%. At this rate, Death Stranding 2 is poised to be one of the best-rated games of 2025, ranking just behind Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Split Fiction on OpenCritic’s Hall of Fame list for the year.
Critics highlight that many aspects of the game are improvements over the original, including better pacing and more engaging gameplay mechanics, particularly in stealth and combat systems. The introduction of an RPG-like skill tree offers players greater gameplay versatility and replayability. Additionally, the game’s world design has received accolades for its dynamic environments that provide tactical challenges and a richer variety compared to the original title.
While positive sentiments are widely expressed, some critics have noted that the game’s conclusion appears to be somewhat convoluted, echoing complaints directed towards the first game. Similarly, the consensus suggests that inventory management still lacks the user-friendliness many players had hoped for in the sequel.
Death Stranding 2 is officially set to launch on June 26, 2025, at midnight ET, although a limited early access preview period will begin two days prior for purchasers of its Collector’s or Digital Deluxe Editions, priced at $79.99 and $229.99, respectively. PlayStation Direct currently lists the Collector’s Edition as available in the U.S. as of June 23.
