Death Stranding 2 Review: A Divisive yet Engaging Experience

During the development of Death Stranding 2, creator Hideo Kojima made significant changes to the game after playtesting results were deemed 'too good.' According to composer Yoann 'Woodkid' Lemoine, Kojima felt that if players 'liked it too much,' it meant 'something was wrong.' Kojima stated, 'If everyone likes your work, it means it's mainstream, conventional, and pre-digested for people to like it.' As a result, Kojima altered the script and crucial elements to make the game more polarizing and emotionally triggering. Despite this, Death Stranding 2 has received critical acclaim, with a 90 average on Metacritic based on 108 reviews. Critics have praised the game's story, improved pacing, and new gameplay mechanics, but have also noted issues with uneven writing, heavy exposition, and predictable plot twists. The game's accessibility has been improved, making it easier for new players to jump in, but the dense narrative and confusing gameplay may still be off-putting for some.