Death Stranding 2 tech review: one of the best-looking games of this console generation

When it comes to Kojima Productions, the unexpected is almost expected. Their games may not resonate with everyone, but titles like Death Stranding explore concepts and ideas in ways that few big-budget games dare to attempt. KojiPro also tend to unerringly fuse striking art direction and top-tier technical execution.

Death Stranding 2 is no exception, building on its predecessor’s unconventional foundation to create something so compelling, the original almost feels like a proof-of-concept by comparison. I also think it’s one of the most visually impressive games of the current console generation, and benefits from being a straight PS5 release in a sea of cross-generation projects.

In this analysis, I’ll break it all down – from the environments and character rendering to visual effects, image quality and performance. I also have some thoughts on how the gameplay itself has evolved.

Crossing the vast expanse, one foot in front of the other, the world stretches out before you – the sky and land mingle at a distance as the sun arcs across the sky above. There are no other games that quite captures this specific feeling of existing alone in this vast space – it’s special and central to the very core of Death Stranding. The original game took players across an Icelandic-inspired take on a ruined US, while the sequel introduces players to Mexico and Australia. The mission to connect one another remains constant, but the experience as you journey through the game is greatly enhanced by increased variety and improved technology.