Major spoilers ahead for Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
Death Stranding 2: On the Beachis here, and with it, a fresh chapter. Sam and Fragile lead the charge on a brand-new voyage, while newcomers like Tomorrow, Rainy, and Dollman help fill out the large cast of fresh faces.Death Stranding 2is once again a story about connection, diving even deeper into its many characters, especially when it comes to their backstories.
The first game had plenty of compelling backstories, butDeath Stranding 2kicks it up a notch. In a lot of ways,Death Strandingfeels like a warm-up to prepare players for whatDeath Stranding 2has in store. Between improved traversal and more combat, this sequel makes a lot of improvements, but the story is once again where it shines brightest. The theme of connection is still present, but so is the theme of loss, and it makes for some deeply emotional moments inDeath Stranding 2.
Death Stranding 2 Stabs Players in the Heart, Then Continues to Twist the Knife
The Game’s Opening Hours Separate Sam and Lou
Even in the first few hours of the story, Hideo Kojima hits players with an emotional gut punch. AfterSam leaves Lou in Fragile’s carewhile going on a delivery, she and the baby face a group of mysterious armed intruders at Sam’s hideout. Fragile tries to escape, but ultimately fails after being shot off her bike. While Fragile survives the incident, Lou seemingly doesn’t, sparking the story’s first touch of heartbreak. Loss will continue to be a defining factor in many characters' lives, showcasing an unfortunate way many people are connected, since everyone has or will experience a loss down the road.
The DHV Magellan Crew All Have Their Own Heartaches
Tarman, Dollman, and Rainy have all experienced different forms of loss. Dollman lost his wife in a tar tsunami, Rainy was exiled from her home because of her powers, ultimately making her lose her family and friends, and Tarman lost his son.Death Stranding 2’s charactershelp bring this chapter’s story to life in a variety of beautiful ways that also might leave a lot of players reaching for some tissues.
These losses serve as driving forces in each character, especially Sam. After the loss of Lou, he’s devastated and unable to leave his hideout until Fragile convinces him to helpconnect Australia to the chiral networkas a way to heal. Sam feels his grief deeply, but it also becomes another tool to help draw him closer to his fellow crew members. Learning about such intimate life details shows Sam that he isn’t the only one suffering. Ultimately, it’s better to suffer with friends than to suffer alone.
Rainy has a unique ability that triggers Timefall whenever she walks outside. While fascinating, it led her hometown to believe she was a witch.
Deadman’s Send-Off
Death Stranding 2brings more than its emotional character backstories to its story. Deadman returns, but not in the way some might expect. His story arc sets the stage for an incredibly beautiful moment early on in the game.He leaves a message for Sam, revealing that his research has proven that, despite not being born from a real-life mother, he still has his own Beach. In his final moments, he joyfully walks away to his Beach, embracing death and finally being at peace.
Death Stranding 2introduces dynamic weather, like earthquakes and brush fires.
Death Stranding 2 Takes its Handling of Characters to New Heights
It’s hard for a sequel to one-up its predecessor, butDeath Stranding 2introduces a new cast of characters that are immediately easy to love.Death Stranding 2evolves many of the series' features and mechanics, but one of the best changes is the expansion of the cast, with each character demonstrating the importance of connection in a new and beautiful way.
