It's been a wild ride since Death Stranding 2: On the Beach dropped a month ago, and I've been completely immersed in Kojima's latest masterpiece. The game isn't just crushing it in sales—it's actually getting people to stick around and finish the story, which is pretty rare in today's gaming landscape where attention spans can be as fragile as a porcelain vase in a hurricane.
According to data shared by the maestro himself, Hideo Kojima, a whopping 79% of players have reached the end of the game's story and continued playing afterward. That's like convincing almost four out of five people to finish reading a complex novel and then asking for the sequel immediately—practically unheard of in modern gaming!
Kojima's message to those who finished the game really hit me in the feels: "The world today is in a difficult state. It might be hard to hold on to hope for tomorrow. But know that there is someone out there who would risk their life to protect you—Even if you don't notice, someone is connected to you, watching over you." In 2025, with everything going on globally, this message of connection feels more relevant than ever.
What Tools Are We Using to Rebuild America?
The Social Strand System (SSS) has been collecting our data (in a non-creepy way), and it turns out we porters are creatures of habit. The top three equipped tools across all players are:
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Ladder
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PCC (Portable Construction Device)
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Container Repair Spray
I'm not surprised to see the ladder at the top—it's like the Swiss Army knife of the post-apocalyptic courier. Simple yet infinitely useful, much like a good friend who always knows exactly what to say when you're down.
How We're Getting Around
When it comes to transportation, players seem to prefer:
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Pickup Off-Roader
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Tri-Cruiser
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On Foot
I personally love the Tri-Cruiser for its versatility, but there's something meditative about traversing the beautiful, haunting landscapes on foot. It's like choosing between a rollercoaster and a nature walk—both have their place in the experience.
Our Weapons of Choice
In the dangerous world of Death Stranding 2, players are arming themselves primarily with:
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Assault Rifle [MP Bullets] Lv1
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Blood Grenade Lv1
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Machine Gun [MP Bullets] Lv1
The preference for MP (Mule Pacification) bullets shows we're trying to be non-lethal when possible—a reflection perhaps of the game's underlying message about preservation rather than destruction.
The Animal Kingdom
One of my favorite aspects of the game is rescuing animals, and it seems I'm not alone. The top rescued creatures are:
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Kangaroo
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Emu
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Wombat
There's something profoundly satisfying about saving these Australian creatures in the midst of all the chaos. It's like finding a patch of wildflowers growing through concrete—a reminder that life persists despite overwhelming odds.
Building a Better Tomorrow
The community-building aspect of Death Stranding 2 shines through in the structures players are creating:
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Zip-Line
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Generator
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Timefall Shelter
The prevalence of Zip-Lines speaks volumes about our desire to connect the world, to create highways in the sky that bring us all closer together. In a game about isolation, we're collectively choosing to build bridges (sometimes literally).
Signs of Encouragement
Perhaps most heartwarming are the signs players are leaving for each other:
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Speed Up
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You Got This!
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Keep on Keeping On
In a virtual world as challenging and often lonely as Death Stranding's, these small gestures of encouragement are like lanterns in the dark—small but crucial beacons guiding fellow travelers.
People Also Ask
Is Death Stranding 2 worth playing if I didn't finish the first game?
Absolutely! While the story connects to the original, DS2 does an excellent job of bringing newcomers up to speed. The improved gameplay mechanics make it more accessible, too.
How long does it take to complete Death Stranding 2's main story?
Most players are reporting around 35-40 hours for the main story, but with side content, you're looking at 60+ hours easily. Time flies when you're rebuilding civilization!
Will Death Stranding 2 come to other platforms?
While Sony hasn't made any official announcements yet, industry trends suggest we might see Death Stranding 2 on PC by early 2026. With Sony's recent strategy of platform expansion, Xbox and Switch 2 versions aren't out of the question either.
As we continue our collective journey through Death Stranding 2, I'm struck by how the game mirrors our real-world challenges in 2025. The themes of isolation and connection feel like they were tailor-made for our current moment, like a prophet who somehow knew exactly what medicine we'd need years before we got sick.
These statistics will likely evolve as more players join the community and veterans continue exploring, but they provide a fascinating snapshot of how we're all experiencing this unique world together, yet apart—much like the game's central theme.
I can't help but wonder: in a world increasingly divided by technology, politics, and geography, are games like Death Stranding 2 actually bringing us closer together in ways that matter? When you place a ladder or leave an encouraging sign that helps a stranger you'll never meet, isn't that a small but meaningful act of human connection in our fractured world?
Keep on keeping on, fellow porters. Someone out there appreciates the bridges you're building. 🌈👶👍