If you’ve been waiting for updates on Hideo Kojima’s long-awaited post-apocalyptic sequel, you’ve probably stumbled across the Death Stranding 2 IGN review already. First announced back in 2022, the game has built up massive hype among fans who fell in love with the first title’s unique blend of delivery mechanics, emotional storytelling, and star-studded cast. I’ve been following the game’s development closely for two years, so I picked apart every line of the review to pull out the most relevant details for casual and hardcore fans alike. This breakdown will walk you through all the key points, so you don’t have to sift through 10 minutes of video commentary to figure out if the game is worth your time and money.
Core Scores and First Impressions From the Death Stranding 2 IGN Review
IGN gave the title a 8.8/10 score, placing it above the 2019 original’s 8.5/10 rating. Their review team spent over 45 hours playing through the main campaign and testing all available side content before publishing their assessment, so their feedback is based on a full playthrough rather than early access snippets. They noted that the opening two hours of the game feel far more accessible than the first title’s slow burn, which is a big win for new players who might have bounced off the original’s steep learning curve. The review also mentioned that the game’s visual fidelity is a massive step up from the first title, with near-photorealistic environments and character models that make emotional cutscenes hit even harder.
Some of the standout first impressions highlighted in the review include:
- Smoother onboarding process that explains core mechanics without 30 minutes of unskippable introductory cutscenes
- Significantly improved traversal mechanics that make cross-country deliveries feel far less tedious than in the first game
- Returning cast members deliver more nuanced performances, with Norman Reedus’ Sam Porter Bridges feeling far more fleshed out and relatable
Gameplay and Mechanics Feedback
One of the biggest complaints about the first Death Stranding was that long delivery runs could feel repetitive, especially if you hit a stretch of bad weather or got ambushed by BTs multiple times in a single trip. IGN’s team noted that dynamic weather events now have more predictable patterns, so you can plan your routes around storms instead of getting caught off guard every 20 minutes. They also added that BT encounters are more varied now, with new types of enemies that require different strategies to avoid or defeat, so you won’t feel like you’re repeating the same encounter over and over again.
They also highlighted the new hoverboard and automated delivery drone features as game-changers for casual players, though they noted that hardcore players can disable these helpers if they want the classic, more challenging Death Stranding experience. The shared world features have also been expanded, so you can now team up with up to three other players for large-scale delivery missions that require coordinated route planning and resource management. IGN noted that these co-op missions are some of the most fun parts of the sequel, though they can feel a bit unbalanced if you’re paired with new players who don’t understand core mechanics yet. You don’t have to play co-op to enjoy the full campaign, which is a relief for players who prefer single-player storytelling.
Story and Character Assessment
Kojima’s games are always known for their weird, emotional, and often confusing storylines, and Death Stranding 2 is no exception. IGN’s review praised the sequel’s story for answering most of the lingering questions from the first game, while also introducing enough new lore to keep long-time fans engaged. The core themes of connection, grief, and rebuilding are still front and center, but the sequel explores them in more nuanced ways that feel relevant to current cultural conversations around isolation and community.
They warned that there are a handful of major plot twists in the second act that might divide fans, especially those who got attached to certain character arcs from the first title. New cast members, including Elle Fanning and Shioli Kutsuna, fit seamlessly into the existing world, and their backstories tie directly into the core themes that run through the entire franchise. The only major story complaint from IGN’s team is that the final act drags a bit, with a few too many cutscenes that break up the flow of gameplay during the climax. If you’re not a fan of Kojima’s long, cinematic cutscenes, you might find yourself hitting the skip button a few times during the last three hours of the campaign.
Final Verdict and Who Should Play This Game
At the end of the day, IGN’s assessment makes it clear that Death Stranding 2 is a worthy sequel that improves on almost every aspect of the original game. The game is a must-buy for anyone who loved the first Death Stranding, as it builds on all the elements that made the original a cult classic while fixing most of its most frustrating flaws. Even small quality of life changes, like faster loading times and a more intuitive inventory system, make the entire experience feel far more polished than the first title.
If you never played the first game, IGN notes that the sequel has a 10-minute recap video that explains all the key plot points from the original, so you can jump right in without feeling lost. That said, you’ll probably get more out of the story if you play the first title first, as a lot of the emotional beats rely on your existing connection to Sam and the other returning characters. The only groups that might want to skip this one are players who absolutely hated the first game’s core delivery loop. Even with all the improvements, the core gameplay is still focused on transporting goods across a post-apocalyptic United States, so if that didn’t appeal to you the first time around, it probably won’t appeal to you now. IGN also noted that the game runs flawlessly on PS5, with no noticeable frame rate drops or glitches during their entire playthrough, so you don’t have to worry about technical issues ruining your experience at launch.
At the end of the day, the Death Stranding 2 IGN review paints a clear picture of a sequel that delivers on almost all of its pre-launch promises. It’s not perfect, but it’s exactly what most fans of the franchise have been waiting for, and it’s a strong addition to Kojima’s already impressive library of games. Whether you’re a long-time fan or a curious new player, this breakdown should give you all the information you need to decide if the game is worth adding to your collection.
