Death Stranding 2 Beginner's Guide

Do I need to play Death Stranding 1?

DS2 is a direct sequel with returning characters and story threads from the first game. You can jump in without playing DS1, but you'll miss a lot of context — especially around Sam, Fragile, Amelie, and the Beach concept.

If you have time: Play DS1 first. It's available on PC via Steam and Epic, and the Director's Cut adds extra content.

If you're short on time: Read our DS1 → DS2 Story Recap to get up to speed in 10 minutes.

Difficulty & Pacing

DS2 offers multiple difficulty settings. The game is not a traditional action game — the core loop is about planning routes, managing cargo, and building infrastructure.

You can change difficulty at any time from the pause menu — no penalty.

What to Do First

1. 1

   Follow the main story early on

   Don't try to explore everything immediately. The early chapters unlock key tools and mechanics you'll need.

2. 2

   Build roads as soon as possible

   Roads dramatically speed up travel. Prioritize connecting facilities with road segments early.

3. 3

   Deliver lost cargo on the way

   Lost cargo found near your route gives free Likes and boosts facility connection levels with minimal effort.

4. 4

   Upgrade your APAS early

   Check the APAS menu and unlock Proximity Scanner and Cargo Stabilizer first — they make a big difference.

5. 5

   Manage your Chiral Bandwidth

   Don't place structures randomly. Plan your bandwidth allocation — ziplines cost 500 points each. Use our Bandwidth Calculator.

PC Version vs PS5

The PC version is the definitive edition. Key additions over PS5: