2019’sDeath Strandingwas the first original Hideo Kojima game sincePolicenautsback in 1994. It was fresh and felt like an entirely new genre, so it was exciting to see how the formula would evolve inDeath Stranding 2: On the Beach. Kojima’s last high-profile second installment wasMetal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, one of thebest video game sequels of all time.
MGS 2was bold, took massive risks, and heavily improved all aspects of gameplay.Death Stranding 2, on the other hand, frankly, doesn’t feel like a Kojima game until the last third. It still has the incredible,seemingly real graphicsKojima Productions is known for, but it plays things way too safe, and compared toMetal Gear Solid 2, which was a once-in-a-lifetime sequel,Death Stranding 2isn’t on the same level.
Death Stranding 2 Is An Uncharacteristically Safe Sequel
Doesn’t Entirely Change The Game
For the first two-thirds ofDeath Stranding 2, I wasshocked by how similar it was to the original. Some were upset over thiscontroversial part ofDeath Stranding 2, being an expansion upon what was done in the first game, but that’s not the exact issue I have here. It’s completely fine ifDeath Stranding 2is the first game again, but heavily improved, but I would argue it’s not.
DS2should have beefed up the human enemies, likeCyberpunk 2077, being able to hack into Sam, but they’re still lacking in abilities.
SinceMetal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain, Kojima’s games have had the same issue, where it gives you so many tools to play with, but there’s alwaysone dominant strategy that trumps all the others. ForDeath Stranding 2, I expected more tools to play with, but I also expected Kojima to balance the tools available better, so that you’re forced to switch up strategies based on the current situation.
Games by Tomonobu Itagaki do a great job of this by forcing players to get out of their comfort zone, such as the many easy strategies that won’t work anymore once you play the higher difficulties inNinja Gaiden Black.Death Stranding 2fails to accomplish this. Thesame truck probleminDeath Stranding 1persists inDeath Stranding 2, and it’s even worse. I’m currently grinding to max out all 42 facilities, and around90 percent of my current playtime is spent in the Pickup Off-Roader, as it’s still the most efficient way to navigate the map.
Driving through BTs used to be an issue inDeath Stranding 1, as you’d often get thrown out of your car, but if you go full speed ahead inDS2, the BTs won’t be able to touch you. Sure,reviews have noted the combat improvements, but you can still machine gun blast for headshots the entire game,with no incentive to switch that strategy.DS2should have beefed up the human enemies, likeCyberpunk 2077, being able to hack into Sam, but they’re still lacking in abilities. When compared to Kojima’sMetal Gear Solid 2, it’s a no-contest.
Metal Gear Solid 2 Was The Exact Opposite
A Title That Completely Flipped The Script
Looking back, it’s remarkable thatMetal Gear Solid 2came out as it did, with Hideo Kojima mostly retaining full creative control.MGS2seemed like it was made to anger fans, intentionally giving them a small taste of what they want with the Tanker section, then taking it away with the introduction of Raiden, who you play as for the rest of the title. The story was absolutely wild, with important themes that became relevant years later, and the ending is so mind-blowing that Kojima has never topped it.
Metal Gear Solid 2is about as risky a sequel as you could get, but, most importantly, the gameplay was in an entirely different ball park compared to its predecessor. The stealth action gameplay improved significantly with the new movement and shooting controls.MGS2demands to be played with the radar off, as sneaking around using only sound, first-person, and leaning around corners results in a far better stealth experience.
When played on Extreme difficulty, they test your skills to the limit.
First-person shooting was a game-changer, and while it took a while to get used to, once it clicked, the combat felt incredible. The boss fights are alsosome of the best on the PlayStation 2. When played on Extreme difficulty, they test your skills to the limit.Metal Gear Solid 2has to be the hardest Kojima game to 100% complete, but finally getting that Big Boss rating, stitching together a perfect run, feels amazing and a big accomplishment.Death Stranding 2just does not have that level of improvement, and it’s unbelievably safe coming from Kojima.
Much Of Death Stranding 2 Doesn’t Feel Like A Kojima Game
This Isn’t The Kojima I Remembered
Throughout the majority ofDeath Stranding 2, I was so perplexed at why Kojima would essentially make the same game again, but bigger and with more tools to play with, while most ofmy issues concerning the original weren’t addressed. Besides a few cutscenes,Death Stranding 2didn’t feel like a Kojima game for the first nine chapters. This is a developer known for twists, game-changing elements, pushing boundaries, flipping the script of what you thought, andDeath Stranding 2plays exactly like the first one, with no surprises to be found.
Where are the shocking, curveball, mind-blowing elements that I expect from Kojima?
That said, once chapter nine ends,the game gets really good, and it’s a vast improvement over the ending sections ofDS1. I was often bored for most of the game, but you’ll be hooked to the end once chapter 10 starts. The pacing, gameplay, and plot revelations all work significantly better thanDS1, and the ending portions of that title were my least favorite aspect. This is an area whereDS2undoubtedly improves upon, with an incredible, action-packed finale that lives and breathes Kojima.
It’s a shame that the rest of the game didn’t follow suit. Most single-player titles reserve the best stuff for last, and while I think it saved the game for me, it’s a disappointing Kojima project considering the developer’s past work. I’m currently grinding for the Platinum trophy, but I’m still baffled by this game. Where are the shocking, curveball, mind-blowing elements that I expect from Kojima? It’s just not present inDeath Stranding 2, for the most part.
