Death Stranding 2: On The Beach

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach introduces new forms of progression for improving Sam’s capabilities, rewarding players for performing routine actions while adding fun layers of customization and flexibility. 

The centerpiece is Automated Porter Assistant System, or APAS, Enhancements, a new skill tree offering perks tied to three proficiencies: combat, stealth, and serviceship (i.e., delivering packages). These skills include making Sam move silently when sneaking, charging his battery when it rains, auto-aim for firing weapons, a warning system for blindside attacks, and more. 

APAS Enhancements are unlocked by spending points from a memory pool. Some skills require more memory than others to open, so you won’t be able to have all of them active at once. Completing missions expands your available memory bandwidth (the amount gained depends on your post-delivery Porter Grade), allowing you to equip more skills. Best of all, you can deactivate an APAS Enhancement and refund its points at no cost. This will enable players to create specialized builds of Sam to best deal with a given situation.

When I focused on deliveries, I activated APAS Enhancements tailored towards exploration and packing, such as a perk that made it easier for Sam to carry heavy loads without toppling over and another skill that added weather updates to the map overlay. If I knew I needed to infiltrate an enemy camp, I would turn on all of my combat skills. Each enhancement feels useful, and I love how the freeform approach encouraged me to strategically tinker with my loadout on a regular basis. 

Sam also now gains permanent stat upgrades simply by doing things. In a page out of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion’s book, performing ordinary actions can raise attributes such as endurance, stealth, and carrying capacity, improving Sam’s aptitude in those areas. If you prefer to lay low and sneak through every hostile situation, for example, Sam will gradually become better at it. This system is a great addition that’s well-suited to the experience, and it adds another layer of reward when I’m delivering goods, from chemicals to a hot pizza, across the dangerously unstable environments. 

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach launches on June 26 for PlayStation 5. You can learn more about the game by following the links to the following features:

Death Stranding 2 Hands-On Impressions – Building a Stronger Connection

Death Stranding 2’s Improved Combat Channels Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain In The Best Way

How Death Stranding 2’s Interactive Encyclopedia Helps Players Make Sense Of The Lore And Narrative

Meet The Strange And Powerful Members Of Drawbridge

Death Stranding 2 Lets You Create Monorails And Transport Animals