Recent hands-on previews have finally lifted the veil further on Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, offering new insights into its story, gameplay, and expansive world. These previews largely focused on the environmental and gameplay aspects, providing fans with a deeper look at what awaits. According to these early impressions, while players will begin their journey in Mexico, the game will eventually transport them to Australia, a location where they are expected to spend the majority of their time.
Drawing a parallel to Todd Howard’s perspective on the Fallout series’ Wasteland, the setting of Australia in Death Stranding 2 already feels like a central character in itself, based on what the previews have revealed. Whether it’s the constant environmental hazards players must contend with or the innovative aerial camera feature providing a vast overview, Australia is clearly positioned as one of Death Stranding 2’s most crucial elements. Its prominence appears even greater than that of the open world in the first game, which is a notable statement given how central traversal was then and remains now to Death Stranding 2’s core gameplay loop.
The Environment as a Dynamic Force
It’s been known for some time that Death Stranding 2’s open world would be fraught with environmental dangers, even more so than its predecessor. This implies that while combat with hostile entities will certainly be a factor, players may find themselves battling the natural threats of the environment just as frequently. According to the recent previews, Death Stranding 2’s environmental hazards are designed to impact both Sam Porter Bridges and the world around him in highly realistic ways.
For example, rainfall can cause rivers to dramatically increase in width, forcing players to work harder to protect Sam and his precious cargo from getting wet. Earthquakes can cause Sam to lose his balance, sandstorms can severely limit visibility, and the dynamic day/night cycle directly influences gameplay conditions. Fortunately, Sam’s ability to navigate these challenges can be enhanced through the new Proficiency system; the more players traverse rough terrain, the better Sam becomes at doing so in the future. Nevertheless, these dynamic environmental elements collectively signal that Australia is front and center, actively participating in the action of Death Stranding 2.
A New Perspective: The Aerial Camera
If the increased environmental hazards weren’t enough to highlight Australia’s significance, the game’s new aerial camera feature provides further evidence that the landscape is demanding the spotlight in Death Stranding 2. This feature allows players to zoom out considerably, gaining a wide bird’s-eye view of the expansive open world and providing strategic insight into potential hazards Sam might be heading towards. It’s a perspective that truly emphasizes the scale of the environment, reinforcing the idea of Australia acting as a main character.
While its primary function is to aid navigation by helping players plan their routes and identify dangers, the aerial camera also serves as an excellent tool for simply appreciating the stunning and complex vista of the open world.
Ultimately, while Death Stranding 2 will undoubtedly revolve around Sam, Fragile, and the unfolding mysteries of the Beach, Australia is shaping up to be the true star of the show. Its ever-changing terrain, unforgiving weather conditions, and the suite of tools provided to help navigate it all point towards a world that isn’t just a backdrop. It’s an entity meant to be carefully studied, deeply respected, and strategically overcome, actively challenging players at every turn. With systems like the aerial camera underscoring its sheer scale and intricacy, Australia is far more than a mere setting in Death Stranding 2.
