Summary
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach’s level designer, Hiroaki Yoshiike, has confirmed that the game will emphasize combat in new ways. In the first installment, combat was just one of several obstacles in the player’s journey to deliver cargo. But that appears to be changing inDeath Stranding 2, following a request from game director Hideo Kojima.
Death Strandingwas praised for its unique gameplay, which encouraged players to find the most efficient way to complete tasks. Its creative level design kept combat as an option, but rarely the most practical one. While this approach was largely appreciated by fans, many suspected the sequel would take a different direction. One hint was the announcement thatDeath Stranding 2would let players skip boss fights. It was later also revealed that players could drop and retrieve their cargo at will, a quality-of-life feature aimed at making combat more manageable.
As the release date forDeath Stranding 2approaches, more details about its revamped combat mechanics are emerging. In the May issue of Edge magazine (via GamesRadar+), level designer Hiroaki Yoshiike revealed that the game’s combat will be “clearer.” Yoshiike explained that players will have three distinct options in combat: engagement, stealth, and avoidance. In other words, they can choose to confront enemies directly, take them down silently, or bypass them entirely. What makes this system particularly interesting is the improved andadvanced enemy AI, which, as Yoshiike noted, will adapt to the player’s chosen approach.
Death Stranding 2’s Enemy AI Intensifies Combat
The new enemy AI inDeath Stranding 2will be more alert, capable of detecting suspicious activity from greater distances and reacting more intelligently to sounds. Enemies will also have more tactical options when responding to the player, rather than simply initiating a chase. It also seemsDeath Stranding 2’s nods to theMetal Gearfranchisego beyond visual references. Yoshiike hinted that players will be able to eliminate enemies using a stealth approach reminiscent ofMetal Gear, a strategy that wasn’t quite practical in the first game.
One key detail is thatDeath Stranding 2has been scoring higher in audience testscompared to the first game. This suggests that fans may already be responding well to the sequel’s more action-focused approach and that Kojima’s vision for clearer combat is resonating. Still, players will have to wait until the game’s release to see whether the revamped combat truly enhances the overall experience.
