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Wondering if you need to play Death Stranding before Death Stranding 2? The 2 in the title and the implication that it is a direct sequel sort of gives it away. But we understand that it’s a question you might have if you’re caught up in the hype of playing a fresh Kojima oddity and missed out on the original.
The first game is steeped in opaque weirdness and is among the most peculiar AAA games we’ve seen in recent years. The sequel rekindles much of that oddness and a succession of flashy trailers have done well to position it as one not to miss. In this guide, we’ll walk you through whether you need to play Death Stranding before Death Stranding 2.
Should you play Death Stranding before trying out Death Stranding 2?
Yes, Death Stranding 2 is a direct sequel that picks up after the events of Death Stranding. If you want to get a firm grip on the story, world, context, characters, and an understanding of the basic gameplay loop, you’ll want to play through the original first before jumping into Death Stranding 2. It makes many references to Death Strandings and much of it won’t make sense unless you’ve played the original.
At a push, you might want to watch a sped-up playthrough that sticks to the main story. Going in blind is likely to leave you very confused. Death Stranding 2 also has a recap feature available from the title screen, but it’s a whistle-stop tour of the major story beats and omits many details and subtleties needed to fully understand and enjoy the second game’s story. That said, there’s no requirement to play Death Stranding first though, but you won’t enjoy it as much.
A word of warning: if you tried the original and didn’t get on with it, don’t expect the sequel to be any different. It’s a slow-burner of a game that centres around spending a lot of time traversing tough environments at a snail’s pace delivering cargo and completing deliveries. Not much has changed in that respect. It’s more of the same: an atmospheric, slow, and immersive delivery sim, but boundlessly rewarding for those that stick it out and can get into the right mindset.
If you do plan on playing Death Stranding 2, check out our guide on the DOOMS birthday effects, all the Mexico connection level rewards, and our primer on all things BTs, including all types and how to kill them effectively.
About the Author
Death Stranding 2 On The Beach
- Platform(s): PlayStation 5
- Genre(s): Action, Action Adventure, Adventure
