Death Stranding 2: On the Beach (PC)

When does a game transcend mere entertainment to become a work of art? Is it through its daring eccentricity, which, despite a certain apparent complexity, resonates deeply with the player? Or is it through a harmonious, accessible, and captivating experience, even for a casual player? While the latter is rare, I wouldn't hesitate to apply this label to Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, Hideo Kojima's masterpiece. On PC, this title truly reveals its full splendor.

Few exclusive additions have been made to the PC version, but the overall enriched content is much more substantial than what is typically found in other PlayStation ports, which is noteworthy. Kojima and his development team have reintegrated originally cut scenes, and these additions benefit both the PC and PlayStation 5 versions. This is an excellent initiative, as these sequences enhance Kojima's unique and characteristic ambiance. Those familiar with his previous titles will recognize the ingenuity and depth he infuses into his game worlds—a blend of fantasy, sometimes even childishness, but always imbued with undeniable charm. These additions are akin to the extended editions of The Lord of the Rings, deepening the world and intensifying the experience.

A new difficulty level is also available, aimed at masochistic players for whom the original wasn't challenging enough. Having struggled with the normal difficulty myself, I didn't delve deeply into this mode, but my brief attempts quickly revealed the imperative to master all of the game's mechanics to hope to survive. Without this mastery, a crushing defeat is inevitable, a lesson I learned the hard way. It's excellent that game veterans can now take on an increased challenge in this fractured world. Furthermore, the ability to replay boss fights is a welcome feature, as they are beautifully designed, acting as genuine puzzles, and Sam 'Porter' Bridges' improved ability to defend himself compared to the first game makes them all the more enjoyable.

Let's now turn to the features exclusive to the PC platform. While not always the most revolutionary, this is where the experience takes a different turn. Let's explore what PC brings to this fantastic title.

The first thing that strikes you is the plethora of customizable graphics options. Frame generation and limited ray tracing are available for those with a compatible graphics card—fortunately, my system can handle it, though my cooling system becomes audible when everything is set to maximum. That said, I have rarely witnessed a game as visually stunning as Death Stranding 2: On the Beach. The first installment was already magnificent, especially its landscapes, but this sequel achieves an almost photorealistic level of realism when traversing arid zones, evoking a sense of isolation and a strange calm amidst the surrounding destruction. The appearance of shadowy BTs is a pure festival of particle effects, absolutely astounding. Even when reducing the settings, the game maintains remarkable visual quality. It's a true demonstration of the potential of modern hardware when developers have a clear vision.

Other advantages of the PC version, compared to any other platform, lie in its support for high resolutions, high refresh rates, and scaling. Death Stranding 2: On the Beach supports all of these, allowing the game to be pushed very far if the appropriate equipment is available. Mouse and keyboard are an option, though I'm not entirely convinced of their superiority over a controller. The adaptation clearly seems designed for a controller, particularly because many actions require holding buttons down for extended periods, a less intuitive setup with the numerous keys on a keyboard. This peculiarity made getting accustomed to the PC controls a bit difficult initially, and I often made mistakes by pressing the wrong buttons in tense situations. The experience improved over time, but I think the menus could be better optimized for players using a mouse and keyboard.

It is precisely on this point that the port shows its greatest weakness. We observe what I would describe as 'control bloat,' where the same buttons are assigned to various functions depending on the context. This implies the need to perform very precise actions at the most critical moments, which can lead to frustrating and avoidable errors. Therefore, I strongly advise prioritizing the use of a controller, even on PC. It's a regrettable aspect, as greater intuitiveness could certainly have been achieved.

However, once the settings are configured and the controls are mastered, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach proves to be a true delight on PC. Traversing an almost desolate desert, evocative of a lunar landscape, is an immersive experience in itself. While this was already notable in the first installment, the intensity is amplified here. Sneaking through BT-infested areas, observing their ghostly handprints in the ground and holding your breath as they approach, is a source of tension rarely equaled in the world of video games. Later, the arrival of snow radically transforms the atmosphere, giving the landscape a new dimension of life and hostility. The depiction of snow is superb, and its varying depths introduce new challenges that must constantly be anticipated.

The cutscenes are also of exceptional quality on PC. One clearly perceives the attention and care that Kojima Productions dedicated to them. Characters appear with even greater sharpness than on the PlayStation 5, and I have rarely felt such an emotional connection with the numerous secondary characters encountered throughout the adventure. One can almost distinguish every pore of their skin, and their facial expressions are impressively expressive.

In conclusion, for players equipped with a controller and a capable PC, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach represents the ultimate version currently available. If the opportunity arises to discover this iconic title, it is undoubtedly the edition I recommend. Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is a masterpiece, a video game work of art. It's one of those games where you sometimes forget your position as a player to be fully immersed in the experience. Absolutely fantastic.