Death Stranding 2 PS5 Review: Stunning Graphics & Dynamic Weather Shine Bright

"Death Stranding 2" catches the gaming world's attention with its remarkable graphics, fluid game performance, and groundbreaking dynamic weather effects. Kojima Productions sets a new benchmark for visual excellence, masterfully harnessing the power of the Decima Engine to deliver an extraordinary experience on the PlayStation 5. Check out our in-depth look at how this sequel elevates the standard for console gaming technology.

"Death Stranding 2" is among the most visually ambitious titles we've seen in the current console generation. As an aesthetic tour de force, Kojima Productions has crafted a game that impresses at every turn, from hyper-realistic character models to breathtaking environments that react realistically to dynamic weather conditions.

The Decima Engine has been pushed to new limits, offering vast improvements over the original "Death Stranding." Landscapes now exhibit significantly richer textures, with incredibly elaborate rock formations and lush, detailed vegetation. Each location is uniquely and convincingly alive, enveloped in the ever-changing beauty of the game's innovative weather system—which sees rainstorms, rivers swelling into powerful currents, sandstorms, and even changes in the consistency and behavior of terrain surfaces. For example, previously dry riverbeds can rapidly transform into hazardous rapids after intense rainstorms, beautifully rendered using advanced physics and particle simulation.

While "Death Stranding 2" eschews real-time ray tracing, the game's lighting and reflection effects remain astonishingly sophisticated. Reflections, in particular, utilize a clever combination of Screen Space Reflections and Heightfield Raymarching. For instance, visually stunning moments like fireworks explode in vivid colors and realistically reflect off nearby surfaces, something rarely seen in other AAA titles.

The graphical realism extends down to character models in "Death Stranding 2," raising the bar for lifelike representation. This attention to detail has resulted in noticeably improved skin textures, visibly refined micro-animations, meticulous hair simulations, and strikingly authentic eyes. Characters display pores, subtle skin blemishes, and strands of hair convincingly affected by wind and moisture effects, thereby deepening the immersive quality of the narrative experience.

Players have two visual modes to choose from, giving them control over their preferred experience balance. The Quality Mode locks visuals at an incredibly crisp 30 frames per second (FPS) giving unparalleled fidelity, while Performance Mode runs at a significantly smoother 60 FPS; an impressive feat given how graphically demanding the scene compositions are. Furthermore, for owners of TVs with 120Hz support, there's an extra advantage—the ability to play in Performance Mode with even smoother motion clarity.

For those lucky enough to have the new PS5 Pro, "Death Stranding 2" further proves its worth. The upgraded console delivers noticeably sharper images and increases resolution above 1440p compared to the base PS5. Additionally, draw distances and the rendering of distant objects become clearer, more defined, and overall more visually pleasing on the Pro system. Perhaps most importantly, while base PS5 owners will notice some minor trade-offs when selecting Performance Mode, the PS5 Pro ensures that no significant visual compromise is necessary, assuring players can have both top-tier visual fidelity and fluid gameplay.

Complementing exceptional graphics and performance, the game's robust dynamic weather system is perhaps the most immersive addition to the world of "Death Stranding." An interactive environment awaits, where elements such as tar buildup and thick smoke or dust storms materially impact player strategies and paths. Sorceries of GPU-driven effects are evident everywhere—the dense smoke, fiery explosions, and swirling storms are depicted with stunning realism and interact seamlessly with the environment, with protagonist Sam’s suit even accumulating dirt and grime realistically over time, subsequently washed off when wading through water.

In conclusion, Kojima Productions has clearly leveraged its commitment to perfection and artistic innovation with "Death Stranding 2," creating a game that's firmly planted at the pinnacle of current-gen gameplay visuals and interactivity. Without a doubt, it is among the finest visual showcases the PS5 and PS5 Pro have seen thus far.

"Death Stranding 2: On the Beach" officially arrives exclusively on PS5 on June 26th, 2025. Fans who pre-order the Digital Deluxe or Collector's editions will have access two days earlier, starting June 24th. Judging by the technological marvel and visual prowess shown already, gamers have every reason to eagerly anticipate stepping back into Kojima's compelling, mesmerizing universe.