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Saudi Gazette
16 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Saudi Gazette
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
The ES TIMES – Death Stranding 2: On the Beach was released exclusively on PlayStation 5 on June 26, 2025, offering a new experience developed by Kojima Productions and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment. Hideo Kojima continues his signature approach of cinematic design, philosophical storytelling, and genre-defying gameplay. Norman Reedus reprises his role as Sam Porter Bridges, joined once again by Léa Seydoux and Troy Baker. New faces include Elle Fanning and George Miller. This time, the story unfolds in post-apocalyptic Mexico and the vast expanses of Australia, reinforcing the game's core message: the importance of human connection in a fractured world. We received a review code directly from PlayStation, allowing us to explore the game and share our insights with you. A fragile peace shatters Death Stranding 2 begins roughly a year after the events of the first game, with Sam and Lou enjoying a quiet life in northern Mexico. Their peace is disrupted when Fragile arrives with a new mission—to expand a communications network called Drawbridge. With BRIDGES now dissolved, a new organization, APAC, emerges as Fragile seeks to reconnect fragmented human settlements around the globe. The mission begins In Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, Sam embarks on a dangerous journey to reconnect isolated communities across treacherous terrain. While some story points feel familiar, the emotional resonance is stronger. Kojima's blend of science fiction and metaphor remains impactful. A more focused world A more focused world Set in a world on the edge of collapse, the game presents a more coherent and grounded narrative than its predecessor. Unity is the central theme, as couriers risk their lives to reconnect Australia. Unlike the original, this installment emphasizes clear objectives and well-paced subplots. Characters and events are introduced efficiently, maintaining narrative flow. Every scene has purpose—something the first game sometimes lacked. Fantasy and surreal elements are still present, but are now more tightly integrated into the story. Characters like Tomorrow, Fragile, and Rainy receive meaningful introductions. The DHV Magellan serves both as a narrative device and emotional anchor. Sam, once distant, has become more emotionally accessible. His development is one of the game's highlights. Improved use of flashbacks Improved use of flashbacks Flashbacks return but are now smoother and often optional. They feel natural and are easier to follow. Enemies remain visually and narratively threatening, enhancing tension and driving the plot forward. Kojima's philosophical themes remain, but are better structured. The narrative follows a logical progression, keeping players engaged. A deeper world for the curious A robust in-game guide offers detailed explanations on characters, events, and lore. It's accessible even during cutscenes, helping new and returning players avoid confusion. Death Stranding 2 addresses many of the original's narrative weaknesses. Its themes are clearer, its structure more refined, and its emotional beats more resonant. Gameplay: Familiar flow, meaningful expansion Gameplay: Familiar flow, meaningful expansion Smarter controls and accessibility Controls have been streamlined. Crawling and holding your breath are now single-button actions. Inventory management is easier, with faster equipment toggling and discard options. These refinements make transitions between exploration and combat more fluid. Crystal collection and directional shortcuts are now simpler. The interaction system feels more responsive and natural. Physics-based movement and planning Sam's movement still relies on physical realism. Terrain, fatigue, slope, and wind all influence travel. Strategic momentum can be used to navigate slopes and obstacles more efficiently. The environment now has a greater gameplay impact. Weather events and natural disasters influence route planning. As terrain worsens, players must adapt their gear and tactics accordingly. Mobility remains central. Upgraded vehicles offer better storage, power, and defensive options. Infrastructure is vital to navigating sandstorms, earthquakes, and floods. Players use survey tools and predictive systems to avoid danger. A deeper RPG system RPG mechanics are more prominent. Skills like running and stealth evolve through usage. The APAS skill tree now includes five branches: mobility, stealth, tools, combat, and communication. Players can reassign points for flexible builds. Smarter loadout strategies Loadouts can be fragile, temperature-sensitive, or time-limited. Auto-loading remains available but requires thoughtful preparation. Successful missions depend on syncing your gear to the terrain. Combat feels more fluid Weapon-switching is faster. Dropping your pack increases agility. Stealth is enhanced with better camouflage and time-based effects. Enemy behavior adapts to light and sound. Each camp features unique layouts and challenges. However, enemy AI remains mostly static, with many strategies staying effective throughout the game. Boss battles show more variety, though patterns emerge quickly. A deeper resistance system would have added more challenge. Still, mid- and late-game encounters offer standout moments—especially when vehicles are unavailable. Versatile vehicles and creative tools Vehicle behavior changes with load and terrain. Bikes enhance speed but reduce the challenge. New tools support experimentation, and familiar items return early to expand play options. Side quests with real substance Side quests with real substance Side quests are thoughtfully designed, not filler. They revisit familiar locations with new challenges and gear requirements. Some rival the main quests in depth and creativity. Each task requires tailored planning—some favor bikes, others trucks. Hidden paths and secrets reward exploration. Tactical customization and strategy Tactical customization and strategy Weapons display detailed stats—range, noise, durability. Gear degrades, encouraging frequent upgrades. Customization lets players balance speed, power, and carrying capacity. Resource scarcity and slow camp replenishment promote exploration and planning. Players can choose between stealth, non-lethal tools, or aggressive tactics. Improved online and co-op systems Improved online and co-op systems Player-built structures now have greater impact. Generators, ziplines, and shelters provide meaningful support. However, new building types are limited. Shared tools still foster connection. On one occasion, I lacked a ladder to cross a river—until I found one left by another player. It felt like a quiet moment of community. Music and performance: Deeply immersive Music and performance: Deeply immersive Strong performances Elle Fanning, Troy Baker, and especially Norman Reedus deliver emotionally layered performances. Animation and facial capture add nuance. Music in narrative and combat Music plays a stronger narrative role. Tracks like 'Tomorrow' evoke deep emotion. During combat, music dynamically shifts with player actions—building intensity or retreating as needed. Woodkid and Ludvig Forssell's work stands out, with scores that convey fear, hope, and peace. Seamless transitions and reworked themes from the first game add fresh emotional weight. Audio design and environmental detail Audio design and environmental detail Sound design is exceptional. Weapons, weather, and movement effects are carefully engineered. DualSense integration elevates immersion with responsive vibrations and audio cues. Sound enhances every emotional moment—from howling wind to flooded footsteps. Players can now create custom playlists to personalize their experience. Full Arabic localization Full Arabic localization PlayStation continues its commitment to Arabic-speaking audiences by offering full localization. In-game text and menus are accurately translated, maintaining clarity without disrupting immersion. This ensures a more inclusive and comprehensible experience for Arabic players, especially in a narrative-heavy game. Visuals: Breathtaking detail, subtle limitations Visuals: Breathtaking detail, subtle limitations The Decima Engine delivers stunning environments, from Mexico's dry plains to Australia's stormy coasts. Facial animations convey emotion down to the smallest details. Yet, despite the graphical power, much of the terrain consists of wide open spaces with minimal micro-detail. It's breathtaking—but less visually dense than other titles. Still, Death Stranding 2 stands among the most visually accomplished games of this generation. Technical performance: Smooth, seamless Technical performance: Smooth, seamless Performance on PlayStation 5 is nearly flawless. Thanks to the SSD, loading times are negligible. Even during heavy combat or severe weather, frame rates remain stable. Dynamic effects—snow, sand, rain, fog—are immersive and cinematic. Storms and BT encounters are punctuated by striking visuals and soundscapes. Conclusion: Familiar shores, new reflections Conclusion: Familiar shores, new reflections Death Stranding 2: On the Beach refines rather than reinvents. It builds on the first game's emotional core while introducing tighter storytelling, improved mechanics, and smarter worldbuilding. While it reuses some elements, the result is a more focused, satisfying journey that rewards both introspection and exploration. Pros: • Emotionally resonant narrative with poignant moments • Beautifully designed environments • Improved navigation and infrastructure systems • Flexible combat with multiple playstyles • Immersive audio and standout performances • Polished, near-flawless technical execution Cons: • Some narrative elements are recycled from the first game • Certain new characters lack depth • Combat feels less dangerous than before • Asynchronous multiplayer is less innovative Raouf Belhamra – Esports and Gaming Writer
News18
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
S.S. Rajamouli Joins Hideo Kojima's Death Stranding 2: ‘A Magical Experience'.
S.S. Rajamouli features in Hideo Kojima's Death Stranding 2 after being scanned during his Japan visit. A rare India-Japan crossover in gaming and film. S.S. Rajamouli, the visionary director behind cinematic blockbusters like Baahubali and RRR, is now making headlines not just for his films but for a surprising cameo in one of Japan's most anticipated video games—Death Stranding 2: On the Beach. The game, helmed by legendary game creator Hideo Kojima, is known for pushing the boundaries of storytelling in interactive media. Rajamouli's presence in the game marks a unique cultural crossover between Indian cinema and global gaming. During a promotional visit to Japan for RRR, Rajamouli met Kojima, who scanned the filmmaker to potentially create a digital character for the game. Kojima later confirmed this via a social media post, writing, 'Director S.S. Rajamouli visited KJP!!! We have scanned him. RRR🔥🔥🔥🚀🚀🚀👍🐯" The post was accompanied by behind-the-scenes photos of Rajamouli being scanned inside Kojima Productions. Director S.S. Rajamouli visited KJP!!! We have scanned him. RRR🔥🔥🔥🚀🚀🚀👍🐯 — HIDEO_KOJIMA (@HIDEO_KOJIMA_EN) October 20, 2022 Reflecting on the experience, Rajamouli shared, 'When we were in Japan for RRR promotions, I visited Kojima-san's office. He scanned me there, and honestly, I had no idea how or where he'd use it. I just sensed something magical was in the making. To now see myself featured in Death Stranding 2 is a true honour. Kojima-san is a visionary, and I'm humbled to be even a small part of his extraordinary world." Rajamouli's inclusion in the game highlights the growing bond between Indian and Japanese entertainment cultures. His film RRR achieved monumental success in India and was warmly embraced by Japanese audiences as well. The film was later released in Japan on physical formats, including Ultra HD Blu-ray and standard Blu-ray, further cementing Rajamouli's popularity in the country. As Death Stranding 2 continues to build anticipation among gamers worldwide, Rajamouli's cameo adds an unexpected layer of intrigue and excitement. Whether through cinema or virtual worlds, Rajamouli continues to expand his creative influence globally, proving once again that storytelling transcends mediums. First Published: July 12, 2025, 21:21 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
New Indian Express
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
SS Rajamouli features in Hideo Kojima's upcoming game ‘Death Stranding 2' after surprise visit to Japan
MUMBAI: Filmmaker S S Rajamouli has forayed into the world of gaming with a cameo in Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, the highly anticipated title from acclaimed Japanese video game creator Hideo Kojima. The director, best known for mega-blockbusters like the Baahubali franchise and RRR, revealed that his likeness was scanned for the game during a visit to Japan to promote his last directorial RRR in 2022. Kojima later confirmed the cameo through a social media post, sharing behind-the-scenes images of Rajamouli's visit to Kojima Productions. 'Director S S Rajamouli visited KJP!!! We have scanned him. RRR,' Kojima posted on X (formerly Twitter). Rajamouli said he was unaware of how the scan would be used, but was excited to see the final result. 'When we were in Japan for RRR promotions, I visited Kojima-san's office. He scanned me there, and honestly, I had no idea how or where he'd use it,' the filmmaker said in a statement. 'I just sensed something magical was in the making. To now see myself featured in Death Stranding 2 is a true honour. Kojima-san is a visionary, and I'm humbled to be even a small part of his extraordinary world,' he added. Rajamouli's RRR, a period action drama starring Ram Charan and Jr NTR, enjoyed remarkable success in Japan, receiving widespread acclaim from audiences and critics alike. Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, slated for release worldwide later this year, is the sequel to the 2019 video game Death Stranding, and is expected to feature an ensemble of global talent. Kojima is celebrated for his genre-defining work on titles like Metal Gear, Snatcher, and Zone of the Enders. Death Stranding 2: On the Beach will feature returning cast members Norman Reedus, Léa Seydoux, and Troy Baker, with new additions like Elle Fanning and George Miller joining the universe. The game follows Sam Porter Bridges in a post-apocalyptic Australia, where he and his team must reconnect isolated communities through a communication network in an effort to save humanity.
Japan Times
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Japan Times
Is Japanese skin really ‘too smooth' for Hideo Kojima's games?
They say beauty is only skin deep, but does that also apply to the world of video games? Released on June 26, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is the latest action-adventure game from Japanese auteur Hideo Kojima and his studio, Kojima Productions. The follow-up to 2019's Death Stranding, the game sets players in a postapocalyptic Australia, where they must deliver supplies to and establish communications between remote colonies of survivors — all while unwrapping the mysteries of the cataclysm that brought humanity to the brink of extinction. Kojima's games are more an acquired taste than mass-market hits, but even accounting for this niche appeal, the game currently sits at a 90 rating on Metacritic and is measuring up to be one of the best games the 61-year-old developer has ever made. Aside from critical acclaim, Death Stranding 2 also includes a relative rarity for a Kojima game: a Japanese cast member. Japanese Australian actress Shioli Kutsuna's casting as curiously afflicted survivor Rainy prompted IGN Japan to question why this isn't a more common occurrence in Kojima's games. 'It's hard to make Asian people look accurate in (computer-generated imagery),' Kojima said. 'Especially young women or those with flawless skin, they end up looking too smooth. It's not just Japanese people, but many Asians have beautiful, fine skin that makes them look artificial in CG.' Kojima added that language skills also influence casting decisions: Though Kojima Productions is based in Tokyo, it releases English-language games with performances recorded in Los Angeles. Still, the untranslatable quality of Asian complexions was taken by the internet to be perhaps the only blemish on Death Stranding 2's release, with multiple threads on Reddit criticizing both the technical and cultural merits of Kojima's claims. Many of these criticisms take for granted an understanding of how digital faces are created, though. Some developers, like Kojima Productions, work with real-life actors, whose likenesses are digitally scanned and then blended with facial animations. Other studios create character models by digitally melding different facial features together, with or without inspiration from an actual person. The Assassin's Creed franchise, for example, has for years featured historical figures, but with no Leonardo da Vinci available to come into the studio for a face scan, the only alternative is to re-create a digital visage that evokes his personage instead of replicating it entirely. That East Asian skin remains beyond the technical capabilities of modern game development is, on its face, a laughable proposition. The number of Japanese or ethnically Asian characters from major hits in the last few months and years alone — Lune in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 ; Naoe in Assassin's Creed Shadows ; Jin in Ghost of Tsushima ; and the 20 years of yakuza gangsters and Tokyo lowlifes in the Like a Dragon series — should tell you that even if the faces in these games failed to capture the spark of real-world likenesses, it did nothing to hamper their success. The question, therefore, isn't whether East Asian skin looks good in games. Rather, it's whether it looks good to Kojima. Kojima has long prized casting not just real-life actors but A-list celebrities in his games. In the Death Stranding series, Norman Reedus plays the main character, while Lea Seydoux, Elle Fanning, Margaret Qualley, Mads Mikkelsen and others also appear not merely as voice talent for other characters with different appearances but as you might expect them to for any role on the silver screen. Norman Reedus leads a largely A-list cast of Hollywood celebrities in Death Stranding 2: On the Beach — a reflection how Hideo Kojima wants his games to look, play and feel. | KOJIMA PRODUCTIONS Sometimes, Kojima's Hollywood-first approach leads to consternation among fans. For decades, voice actor David Hayter played the iconic character of Solid Snake (and some of its derivatives, but no time to get into Kojima's labyrinthian plots now) of the Metal Gear Solid franchise. As the series grew in popularity, Kojima would try to recast Snake's voice actor more than once, including an unsuccessful attempt to rope in Kurt Russell — whose character in the 1981 film 'Escape from New York' was its original inspiration. In 2015, Kojima would finally get his way, shunting Hayter aside in Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain in favor of Keifer Sutherland. Kojima is an admitted and unabashed movie buff, and he often casts his games like a film director. Look no further than Death Stranding's world-record, 71-minute-long cutscene (in addition to the game's 10-plus additional hours of nonplayable runtime) as proof of what informs his artistic approach. He envisions a character and finds a famous face that he feels fits. When it comes to Kojima's visuals, art imitates life. And it's more often Hollywood's version of life — with all its inherent biases — that his games try to imitate.
Time of India
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
10 most downloaded games on the PS5 in June 2025
GTA 5 is still one of the most sold PS5 games in June 2025. | Image via Rockstar Games. Image via Kojima Productions. GTA 5 is still one of the most sold PS5 games in June 2025. | Image via Rockstar Games. Image via Kojima Productions. GTA 5 is still one of the most sold PS5 games in June 2025. | Image via Rockstar Games. 1 2 June 2025 saw a number of substantial gaming releases on PS5 in the forms of Rematch, FBC: Firebreak, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, and many more. The last month might not have unleashed gaming titles like May 2025, but still fans managed to up the ante with an array of games on the PlayStation 5 - from new releases to OG titles, everything was there. Top 10 games on PS5 in June 2025 GTA 5 is still one of the most sold PS5 games in June 2025. | Image via Rockstar Games. In this article, we are going to list down the top 10 most downloaded games on PS5 in June 2025 for both US/Canada and EU regions. The diversity in those lists is quite astonishing, keeping in mind the blast of the newly released titles as well as spark from old titles as well. Here are the top 10 games on PS5 in June 2025 in US/Canada and EU: Rank US/Canada EU 1 Death Stranding 2: On the Beach Rematch 2 Grand Theft Auto 5 EA Sports FC 25 3 Elden Ring: Nightreign Grand Theft Auto 5 4 Rematch Death Stranding 2: On the Beach 5 Forza Horizon 5 Forza Horizon 5 6 Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Elden Ring: Nightreign 7 EA Sports FC 25 Minecraft 8 Minecraft Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 9 Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 10 MLB The Show 25 Resident Evil Village It was quite surprising to see that it took just 4 days in June for Death Stranding 2: On the Beach to claim spots for both regions, including the no 1 rank in the US/Canada, as it was released on June 26. On the other hand, Rematch also held positions in both lists, including the top spot in the EU region. It was actually seen coming because of the fresh approach of soccer simulation in Rematch as compared to its contemporaries, despite keeping the core intact. FC 25's inclusion in the list proves its worth yet again, signifying its undying popularity among the fans. Elden Ring Nightreign also achieved the same feat in June despite being released in May. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Secure Your Child's Future with Strong English Fluency Planet Spark Learn More Undo However, it was quite evident keeping in mind its various Nightfarer classes and multiplayer fun. Talking about old games, how can we forget GTA 5. Despite the unreal anticipation regarding GTA 6, its predecessor still makes the cut, after more than a decade. Minecraft needs no introduction as it is the most played video game ever, so it got to be in the list. Call of Duty Black Ops 6 is in those lists as well, and Season 4 played a major role in this. Forza Horizon 5 and Clair Obscure: Expedition 33 were among the other titles. Only MLB The Show 25 and Resident Evil Village were the two titles which made it into the single lists only, in the US/Canada and EU regions respectively. Read More: New Upcoming games releasing in July 2025 Catch Manika Batra's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 3. Watch Here!
