Death Stranding 2: On the Beach officially launched on Tuesday (24) for players who picked up its special editions. As expected, critics had early access, and now that the review embargo lifted on Monday (23), the verdict is in: Hideo Kojima’s latest project is a hit.
The game is currently sitting at an impressive Metacritic score of 90, based on over 100 reviews, placing it fourth among the best-reviewed titles of 2025 so far. It trails only Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (93), Blue Prince (92), and Split Fiction (91). Notably, the rankings exclude the re-released Switch 2 editions of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom for fairness.
Over on OpenCritic, Death Stranding 2 performs even better, ranking third overall, ahead of Blue Prince and Kingdom Come: Deliverance II.
Kojima’s ambitious sequel continues to impress both fans and critics, reaffirming his reputation for delivering bold, genre-pushing experiences.
Who wins GOTY in 2025?
This year’s The Game Awards is shaping up to be one of the most competitive yet. With Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Blue Prince, and Split Fiction already drawing critical acclaim, the battle for Game of the Year (GOTY) is heating up.
Leading the pack—at least for now—is Expedition 33, a debut RPG from French studio Sandfall Interactive that’s captivated both players and critics. But don’t assume the race is over—far from it. The second half of 2025 still has several major titles on the horizon that could easily shake things up.
Nintendo is coming in strong, thanks in large part to the momentum behind the new Nintendo Switch 2. The upcoming releases of Donkey Kong Bananza and Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, both set for later this year, are generating serious buzz and could emerge as late contenders.
Fans of long-awaited sequels are also watching Hollow Knight: Silksong closely. After years of silence, developer Team Cherry has confirmed the game is still on track for 2025. If it delivers, it could be a major contender.
Another dark horse is Silent Hill F, the first entry in the iconic franchise to be set in Japan. Scheduled for release on September 25, it might surprise many with its fresh setting and psychological horror roots.
And then there’s Crimson Desert from Pearl Abyss, creators of Black Desert Online. With promises of deep systems, rich storytelling, and stunning open-world visuals, it’s poised to make a strong impression if it lives up to expectations.
In short, the year is far from over—and the Game of the Year crown is still very much up for grabs.
About Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is a PlayStation 5 exclusive that deepens the mysterious, post-apocalyptic world crafted by Hideo Kojima following his departure from Konami. This time, players will accompany Sam Bridges on a new mission that spans across countries like Mexico and Australia, once again placing the fate of humanity in his hands.
The game officially launches this Thursday, June 26, and is currently available for pre-order at a discounted price—a great opportunity for fans to dive in early.
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