I've been making deliveries across the fractured landscape of America for what feels like a lifetime now. When Death Stranding 2 dropped last month, I wasn't expecting the small quality-of-life improvements to have such a profound impact on my porter routine. But here I am, genuinely excited about ladders. Yes, ladders.
Remember those frustrating moments in the original game? You'd carefully measure a gap with your eyes, deploy your precious ladder with confidence, only to watch it fall just short of the ledge you were aiming for. The sinking feeling as you realized you'd need to find another route or risk losing your cargo to a rushing river below. Those days are thankfully behind us.
The Double Ladder Revolution
Yesterday, I encountered a canyon that would have been impossible to cross in the original game without constructing a proper bridge. But with Death Stranding 2's new ladder mechanics, I simply combined two ladders into one extra-long unit and bridged the gap with ease. The feeling of satisfaction was immense - like Kojima Productions had been listening to my frustrated curses from 2019.
The ability to double up ladders transforms how I approach terrain navigation. Valleys and crevasses that once required lengthy detours are now direct paths. Rivers that would have swept me away are merely minor obstacles to overcome.
I've actually started collecting ladders more deliberately than any other equipment. They've become my most prized tool in a way they never were in the first game.
Escaladders: Climb Without The Grind
The innovation doesn't stop with length. Remember the tedium of climbing rung by rung in the original game? Those slow, methodical climbs that seemed to take forever?
Last week, I approached a cliff face with my newly combined double ladder. After placing it, I braced myself for the long climb - only to be pleasantly surprised when Sam automatically ascended the entire length without my input. I just sat back and enjoyed the ride.
These "escaladders" (not my term, but I wish it was!) have transformed vertical traversal. What once was:
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Deploy ladder ✓
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Begin slow climb ✓
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Mash button repeatedly ✓
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Finally reach the top ✓
Has become:
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Deploy ladder ✓
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Enjoy automatic ascent ✓
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Continue journey ✓
It's such a small change, but it respects my time as a player in a way I deeply appreciate.
Reusable Resources
The most practical improvement might be the reusability factor. In the original Death Stranding, ladders were essentially single-use items in practice. Yes, theoretically you could go back for them, but the game's momentum rarely made that worthwhile.
Now, I find myself actually retrieving ladders after use. Last night, I scaled a mountain using my trusty ladder, completed my delivery at the isolated prepper station, then collected my ladder on the way back down to use at the next obstacle. While uses are still limited, this change has made me feel less wasteful and more resourceful.
My equipment management has completely transformed as a result. I carry fewer ladders overall but get much more utility from each one. It's changed how I plan routes and approach difficult terrain.
Beyond Ladders: The Evolution Continues
These ladder improvements reflect Kojima Productions' attention to player feedback. They've taken one of the most fundamental tools from the original game and refined it to be more useful, more versatile, and less frustrating.
The birthday celebrations are another example of this evolution. Last year in the original game, I received a simple birthday greeting. This year in Death Stranding 2, I was treated to an elaborate celebration that genuinely made me smile. These small touches demonstrate how the developers have doubled down on the game's humanity amid its post-apocalyptic setting.
I find myself wondering what other subtle improvements I've yet to discover as I continue my journey across this fractured America. The ladder changes weren't prominently featured in marketing materials or trailers - they were something to be discovered through play.
Sometimes I think about those early days of the original Death Stranding - the frustrations, the limitations, the workarounds we all developed. The sequel hasn't just expanded the story and world; it's refined the experience in ways both significant and subtle.
So if you're just starting your journey in Death Stranding 2, pay attention to the little things. The real revolution isn't always in the grand narrative or new mechanics - sometimes it's in the humble ladder that finally, finally reaches where you need it to go.
Have you discovered any other subtle improvements in Death Stranding 2? Share your porter tips and experiences with the community! Let's connect the world not just in-game, but through our shared discoveries. Keep on keeping on! 🌧️👶👍