Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is now available for PS5, offering players an epic odyssey across Australia as Sam Porter Bridges works to link another continent to the Chiral Network. But how long does this adventure take? Below, we’ll break down the exact playtimes of IGN’s team members, along with how they chose to spend their hours in-game.
Simon Cardy - Senior Editor
I completed Death Stranding 2's main story in just over 34 hours. Captivated by its intricate narrative, I focused primarily on core missions, tackling only a handful of side objectives. While optional tasks reward useful tools, the sequel streamlines many of the original’s challenges—making progress smooth without sacrificing difficulty. Late-game combat encounters and grueling deliveries still demanded careful planning.
Post-credits, I’ve invested another 10 hours into uniting Australia and Mexico under the Chiral Network. Yet the compulsion remains to max out every facility’s connection rating. As a completionist, I’ll inevitably return to sweep up Death Stranding 2’s remaining side content—this world is too compelling to leave unexplored.
Matt Kim - Senior Feature Editor
My playthrough clocked in at 38 hours to reach the ending. Contrary to expectations, cinematics didn’t dominate—Hideo Kojima noticeably refined cutscene pacing, prioritizing gameplay. I largely ignored side content, though a few detours added modest runtime. With so much left undiscovered, I’m eager to revisit for a more thorough run—perhaps even chasing the Platinum trophy.
How Does Death Stranding 2 Compare to Other Kojima Games?
While Death Stranding 2 delivers a vast continental trek, how does its duration measure against Kojima’s legacy titles? We sourced average completion times from How Long to Beat for comparison:
Metal Gear Solid - 11 ½ HoursMetal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty - 13 hours
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater - 16 hours
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots - 18 ½ hours
Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain - 45 ½ hours
Death Stranding - 40 ½ hours
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach - 37 ⅔ hours (IGN average)
Nick Limon - Executive Producer
My journey concluded at 41 hours—relishing every detail of Mexico and Australia’s landscapes while reconnecting most regions. Though some outposts remain isolated, I devoted hours to upgrading Prepper relationships through tailored gear. Compared to the original, the sequel’s side missions feel more unique—an aspect I’m excited to delve into further. Keep on keeping on!
Are you diving into Death Stranding 2? Do you plan to savor every side quest or rush the main story? Share your approach in the comments!
