Death Stranding 2 is a meditative masterpiece for those who dare to deliver

Image source: Gamesplanet

I'm nearly done completing a hard journey, schlepping dozens of pounds of cargo on my back over rocky hills, rushing rivers, and slippery slopes. Every step is a struggle, and with one false move, I may fumble, drop all my packages, and fail my quest. Yet despite the stressful situation, I feel calm. The game’s camera is zoomed out, giving me a clean look at the serene landscape that surrounds me. A soothing song plays, further reassuring me everything’s going to be all right. And soon enough, the game’s confidence in me pays off. I make it to the dropoff point, relieved and satisfied with my successful delivery.

That experience is the core of Death Stranding 2, much like it was with the original Death Stranding. I go on long treks across vast landscapes to deliver ludicrous amounts of cargo. All the while, scenic cinematography and motivating music drive me forward. The game uses these tools, and others, to fill me with determination — making me feel like I’m the perfect person for the job, no matter how tough it gets.

There are typically a lot of obstacles between me and a successful delivery, as Death Stranding 2 turns everything into a threat. Age-inducing rain can weather packages and rust pristine metal containers in seconds. Earthquakes and other natural hazards routinely turn dangerous terrain into deadly terrain with virtually no warning. Pair these challenges with enemies ranging from bandits to agitated poltergeists, and there’s no shortage of ways the game can make my life hard. Even just tripping while walking might mess things up really badly — the game's meticulous attention to basic movement is no joke.

Image source: Gamesplanet

But through it all, Death Stranding 2 always reminds me that my struggles are worthwhile. When I deliver a package, its recipient drowns me in praise. When I’m en route, I sometimes get cheered on by in-game pals or see other players’ supportive signposts encouraging me to keep going. And the game itself routinely breaks the fourth wall to tell me I’m doing great, rewarding me with chill music and breathtaking landscape shots whenever a special delivery nears its climax.

Some deliveries don’t pack music of their own, at which point I like to play a podcast or my own tunes in the background. It’s the perfect kind of game for folks who like to consume multiple sources of content at once. Just like a real delivery driver, maybe I want to digest an audiobook while transporting packages for hours on end. And all the while, I get a fascinating look at a profession that rarely gets the spotlight in blockbuster media.

Since Death Stranding 2 packs in-game ROG gear, I can even be an ROG-themed delivery driver if I want to further immerse myself in the game’s world. Of course I did exactly that, suiting up in an outfit emblazoned with “for those who dare” and a baseball cap sporting the Fearless Eye logo. I get a bizarre hit of meta glee watching my character sport a digital version of a cap I own in real life, all while doing dangerous deliveries I would never attempt with my own clumsy feet.

Image source: Gamesplanet

Beyond just the fun of it, this little Republic-themed inclusion also helps blur the line between the game’s pervasive sense of realism and reality itself. When I inevitably trip and fall in-game, my character’s ROG hat really cements that it was I who tripped and fell. And by the same token, it was I who picked myself up and got the job done.

Those little victories are what makes the game worth it. I’m not doing superheroics or reveling in power fantasies — I’m serving virtual communities as a realistically limited mailman who relies on hiking boots and a boatload of determination. And that’s why each delivery is so fulfilling. Death Stranding 2 celebrates basic human perseverance in a grounded, authentic way few other games can, making it a uniquely rewarding experience for those who dare to deliver.

Any ROG gamers out there who want a AAA title like no other ought to check this game out (after playing the first one, of course). And if you’re already a superfan of KOJIMA PRODUCTIONS, be sure to peep the ROG Flow Z13-KJP. It features a special KOJIMA PRODUCTIONS design and comes with a copy of Death Stranding 2: On the Beach. Also take a look at the bevy of KJP-themed ROG peripherals currently on offer, including the ROG Delta II-KJP gaming headset and ROG Keris II-KJP gaming mouse. Beyond looking great, these gaming-tuned gadgets provide an unparalleled in-game experience that’ll help you pull off incredible deliveries every single time. Learn more about all this specialty ROG x KJP gear here.

You can grab Death Stranding 2: On the Beach right now over on Gamesplanet.