Should you play Death Stranding before Death Stranding 2: On the Beach?

PlayStation confirmed that players can jump straight into Death Stranding 2: On the Beach without playing Death Stranding. A six-minute “Story So Far” recap video covers major beats —Sam Porter Bridges, the Chiral Network and the extinction threat—, but it skips key character moments and emotional arcs. Keep reading if you want some tips to have a better experience in Australia (the setting for the sequel).

Do players have to do a full playthrough?

As a direct sequel set 11 months after the first game, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach builds on:

• Returning characters like Fragile, Higgs and Die-Hardman
• Layered lore tied to the United Cities of America and BB connections
• Gameplay evolution, with sequel traversal tools that only shine against the original’s strand mechanics

Skipping the original risks losing the emotional and narrative payoff that makes Kojima’s world so compelling. A few language hickups can happens as well, as some of the game’s specific terms are not directly explained again in the sequel.

Recap video vs. Director’s Cut

The official recap is more mood piece than summary. If you’re not short on time, consider the Death Stranding Director’s Cut (PS5/PC). It offers:

• Streamlined deliveries and new riding-mech support
• Additional story scenes that deepen key relationships
• Quality-of-life tweaks for smoother traversal

Playing the Director’s Cut delivers enough context and polish to prep you for the sequel. But, if you are not prepared to spend some hours going through the first game, you can always search for a more complete recap on YouTube.

Rewards for returning players

Good news(?): your dedication doesn’t go totally unnoticed. While there are no guaranteed cross-save cosmetics, legacy outfits or special weapons unlocked by having Death Stranding save data, you do get one small nod:

• Birthday Carryover: If you set the same in-game date for both titles, visiting Sam’s birthday in Death Stranding 2 triggers a short celebratory cutscene and grants minor gift items (cosmetic decals and a couple of consumables).

Beyond this Easter egg, all pre-order and launch bonuses (artbook, soundtrack, weapon skins) are available to everyone, regardless of whether you played the original.

How to prepare for On the Beach

• Replay key missions: Focus on BB rescue runs, chiral bridge builds and Sam’s final UCA-linking push.
• Reconnect with characters: Side quests for Fragile and Deadman enrich their sequel roles.
• Master core gear: Ladders, ropes and blood grenades return, perfect your use now for a smoother start.

While not strictly required, playing Death Stranding, especially the Director’s Cut, unlocks the full emotional resonance and mechanical context of Death Stranding 2: On the Beach. And though rewards for returning players are modest, that birthday Easter egg is a sweet reminder of your journey so far. Ready to dive back in?

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