Death Stranding 2 PC review — Kojima's trek across Australia: is it worth a month of rental
October 31, 2026 · 7 min read
What Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is, how critics and Steam players rated it, how many hours it takes, whether you need the first game, whether it has Ukrainian — and whether a month of rental is enough.
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is Hideo Kojima's sequel, set 11 months after the first game. Sam is back on the road, this time to connect Australia to the Chiral Network. It came out on PS5 in summer 2025 and on PC on 19 March 2026, ported by Nixxes Software together with Kojima Productions.
Below is a spoiler-free overview: what has changed, what critics praise and criticise, how long it takes, and whether it is worth renting for a month.
Account rental · SteamDEATH STRANDING 2: ON THE BEACHfrom 70 грнRentWhat kind of game it is
It is still a game about delivering cargo across a hostile open world. You plan the route, balance the weight, build roads and other structures, and the world fights back: a day and night cycle, earthquakes, sandstorms, forest fires and Timefall — rain that instantly ages whatever it touches.
There is more combat this time. You can fabricate machine guns, shotguns and grenade launchers, or go quiet with decoy holograms, silent takedowns and long-range gear. Through the APAS system Sam learns new skills, such as a faster fire rate or quieter movement. Enemies include Mech soldiers, BTs and new bosses.
Scores and reviews
| Source | Score |
|---|---|
| Metacritic (PS5, at launch) | 88 out of 100 |
| OpenCritic (at launch) | 88, recommended by 92% of critics |
| Steam (PC) | about 94% positive English reviews, over 6,000 ("Very Positive") |
| IGN | 9 out of 10 |
| VGC | 5 out of 5 |
| TechRadar | 5 out of 5 |
| Game Informer | 8.8 out of 10 |
| GamesRadar+ | 4 out of 5 |
| Eurogamer | 4 out of 5 |
| GameSpot | 7 out of 10 |
Press scores refer to the PS5 version. According to the German site PCGames, the PC version scored 91 on Metacritic, two points higher. Steam players praise the optimisation, though some report crashes and save issues.
What critics praise
- Less friction than the original. IGN says the sequel removed nearly everything that was frustrating in the first game, and Inverse calls it more cohesive and polished.
- The world and the freedom. VGC highlights the expanded gameplay and choice of approach; GamesRadar+ the spectacle and the sense of community with other players.
- Combat and the finale. TechRadar praises traversal, improved combat and a strong ending.
What critics criticise
- Muddled ideas. GameSpot (the lowest of the big scores, 7 out of 10) says it is unclear what the game is trying to say.
- Playing it safe. VG247 wanted bolder gameplay evolution, and some critics miss the sense of novelty the first game had.
- More Metal Gear. GamesRadar+ summed it up as more Metal Gear Solid, "for better and worse". If you came for quiet deliveries, there may be too much fighting.
Do you need the first game
Strictly, no: the main menu has a short recap of the first game's events and characters. But most guides recommend playing the original first, because the recap only gives a broad outline and the sequel's story leans on it heavily. The first game is in our catalogue too — Death Stranding Director's Cut.
How long it takes and whether a month is enough
It is a long game. According to HowLongToBeat (as cited by Dekudeals): main story about 35 hours, with side content about 63, completionist over 110. A PowerPyx guide puts one playthrough on Normal at roughly 50 hours, or about 40 without side content.
| How you play | Hours |
|---|---|
| Story only | 35–40 |
| Story plus some side deliveries | 50–65 |
| 100% with achievements | 110 and more |
Ukrainian, DRM and online
- The game has no Ukrainian: no interface, subtitles or voice-over. Full audio is available in 11 languages, including English, Polish and Russian; text in 18. There are many cutscenes and dialogues, so the subtitle language matters.
- The game is single-player (Steam lists only "Single-player"). The Social Strand system is asynchronous: other players' structures, signs and "likes" appear in your world. The Steam page does not say whether it works without a connection; in offline mode, expect that other players' structures may be missing and plan to build your own.
- The Steam page mentions no Denuvo; according to Insider Gaming, it appears to have none. Linking a PlayStation Network account is offered only for bonuses and is not listed as required. Still, do the first launch online, then switch to Steam offline mode (see how it works).
- Full controller support, including DualShock and DualSense.
PC requirements
| Minimum | Recommended | |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Intel Core i3-10100 / AMD Ryzen 3 3100 | Intel Core i7-11700 / AMD Ryzen 7 5700X |
| GPU | GTX 1660 / RX 5500 XT 8 GB | RTX 3070 / RX 6800 |
| RAM | 16 GB | 16 GB |
| Storage | 150 GB, SSD | 150 GB, SSD |
OS: Windows 10 (1909 or later) or Windows 11. An SSD is required. DLSS, FSR, XeSS, frame generation and an unlocked frame rate are supported. TheSixthAxis and One More Game are generally happy with the port, though they noticed minor stutters. On Steam Deck, TheSixthAxis measured only 15–25 FPS.
Who it suits and who it does not
It suits you if you liked the first game or enjoy long, calm journeys where the road is the main enemy — and if you want more, and better, combat this time.
It does not suit you if you want a non-stop action game: the core is still route planning and delivery. It is also not the best pick if you have not played the first game and are not ready to dive into it.
Verdict: is it worth a month of rental
Yes, if you are here for the story: 35–50 hours fit comfortably into a month. Before renting, make sure you are fine with English or another available subtitle language and have 150 GB free on an SSD. And if you have not seen the first game, start there.
Sources
- Steam store page — description, languages, requirements, reviews
- Steam API: game data
- OpenCritic — average score and reviews
- The Game Post: review round-up
- PCGames: PC version score
- Players.com.ua: PC release and player reviews
- Insider Gaming: Denuvo on PC
- Dekudeals: length per HowLongToBeat
- PowerPyx: how long to beat
- Gfinity: should you play the first game first
- TheSixthAxis: PC and Steam Deck
- One More Game: PC review
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