Death Stranding 2 - Stream 1

Hideo Kojima's sequel to his 2019 delivery-sim-meets-existential-sci-fi epic is a bolder, weirder beast—think more Metal Gear Solid stealth-action layered over those hypnotic treks across vast, gorgeous open worlds. You play as Sam Porter Bridges (Norman Reedus) again, hauling cargo through a fractured post-apocalypse, but now with expanded tools like skill trees, dialogue choices, and even delivery bots that make the grind feel less punishing (and sometimes too easy, robbing some tension). The story dives deeper into themes of connection, isolation, and human folly, with a 35-hour main path packed with bizarre setpieces (talking dummies? Puppet hot springs? Yes, please) and a stellar cast including Elle Fanning and Shioli Kutsuna. It's emotionally charged, cinematically ambitious, and justifies its massive map like few open-world games do—every hike feels purposeful. Pros: Evolved gameplay (better combat, prep loops), unforgettable narrative twists, and Kojima's unrestrained weirdness that hits harder post-pandemic. Cons: Assumes you've played the first (recaps suck), some mechanics feel tacked-on, and it's uneven if walking/delivering isn't your jam.