With Death Stranding 2: On the Beach finally here, a lot of players are wondering: Do you really need to play Death Stranding 1 before Death Stranding 2? The short answer? Yes, absolutely. And here’s why.
The Story Is a Direct Sequel
Death Stranding 2 isn’t just a spiritual successor; it’s a direct continuation of the story that started in the first game. While Kojima Productions added a basic recap and glossary (“Corpus”) to help newcomers, it’s not enough to truly grasp the emotional depth or the complex lore that defines the already confusing world.
If you skip the original, you’re missing key relationships, motivations, and world-building. Fragile, Lou, Amelie, Die-Hardman, their entire development depends on what happened in the first game. Without that context, DS2’s biggest moments will feel flat.
Lore and World Mechanics Need Context
Yes, Death Stranding is weird. It throws around terms like BTs, BBs, Beaches, and Chiral Networks like you’re supposed to know what they mean. In DS2, these terms return fast with very little hand-holding.
Playing Death Stranding 1 before Death Stranding 2 gives you that critical foundation. You’ll understand the world, how it works, and why things like “the extinction factor” actually matter. Even the gameplay systems (like traversal, cargo balance, and Bridge Links) evolve from what you learned in DS1.
The Emotional Payoff Won’t Hit Without It
Here’s the thing: Kojima doesn’t just tell stories, he tries to make you feel them. The ending of DS1 is a major emotional gut-punch. DS2 builds on that emotional weight from the very first hour. If you skipped Death Stranding 1, you’re basically starting a second season of a show without watching season one. Sure, you can technically follow it, but the best parts won’t land.
Players who’ve completed DS1 will notice callbacks, scars, character changes, and subtle emotional beats that newcomers will completely miss. And that’s a shame, because DS2 was made to reward longtime fans.
So Should You Play Death Stranding 1 Before Death Stranding 2?
Yes, you should definitely play the first game before starting the second. It’s not just background, it’s the emotional core of the sequel.
You’ll appreciate the story, characters, and worldbuilding way more. Even the gameplay feels more rewarding when you’ve grown with the systems from DS1.
If time is tight, you could watch a deep recap, but if you want the full Kojima experience, don’t skip the original.
Death Stranding 2 is made for returning players. You’ll miss a lot by skipping the first game. So yes, you should absolutely play Death Stranding 1 before Death Stranding 2.
