PlayStation had one of the weirdest months this year, with Bungie delaying Marathon indefinitely after a wave of backlash, and Sony re-releasing the same games like The Last of Us for what feels like the billionth time. They even announced a remastered version of Days Gone, which is a great game, but not exactly what players were hoping to see brought back.
Now, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach has arrived, and it’s already being touted as a Game of the Year contender. And being the only PlayStation 5 Exclusive so far this year, it's now Sony's best game of 2025.
The game has received critical acclaim from major gaming outlets and legacy media, with many calling it a “masterpiece” and “Hideo Kojima’s best work yet.” It’s been earning perfect scores and others nearly hitting perfect marks, and is shaping up to be one of Kojima’s finest works since Metal Gear Solid.
The success of Death Stranding 2: On the Beach was almost inevitable. Fans of the series have been waiting for this sequel since the first game launched six years ago. While Kojima himself expressed a desire for the sequel to be polarizing, players seem to be embracing it more than expected.
It currently holds the top spot as the highest-rated PlayStation 5 exclusive of the year. That’s not entirely surprising, as it's the only major PS5 release so far. Most of Sony’s recent releases have been PC ports, including The Last of Us and Stellar Blade.
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is essentially carrying the torch for both Kojima Productions and Sony this year. While sales numbers are still unknown with the official launch just around the corner, early reviews and player impressions are overwhelmingly positive, even from those who once mocked its “walking simulator” mechanics.
There aren’t many PS5 exclusives confirmed for the rest of the year. Most upcoming titles are third-party releases, and with Ghost of Yotei and Lost Soul Aside still months away, Kojima’s latest sci-fi epic is the only real spark to ignite PlayStation 5 sales again.
As of now, it’s unclear whether Death Stranding 2: On the Beach will remain a PS5 exclusive. If Kojima Productions follows the same path as the first game, we might see a PC port a few years down the line.
This may very well be Sony’s strategy moving forward: release fewer exclusives each year, but make sure those few offer the best experience possible, complete with compelling narratives, unique gameplay, and visuals and performance that truly showcase what the PlayStation 5 can do.
(As for Gfinity’s review, we’re still playing through the game as Kojima Productions provided us with a copy after the embargo lifted. We’re not rushing the story and want to take our time, so stay tuned for our full review soon.)
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach launches on June 26 exclusively for the PS5.
For more news, guides, and coverage, stick with us at GfinityEsports.com, the best website for all things Death Stranding.