wIs the hat on a path to oblivion? This is a question that often crosses my mind while experiencing the second installment of Kojima Hideo’s hypnotic, enigmatic, and patiently paced cargo management simulator series. It’s due, in part, to the lengthy, tranquil treks that transcend the surreal landscape of Mexico and Australia, granting ample time for reflection on that small yet significant detail and to ponder the intricacies of what you just witnessed. Additionally, such questions often illuminate deeper truths.

The ability to engage in prolonged contemplation is a hallmark of the artistry embedded in this game. No one is scribbling notes to uncover Doom. The Middle Ages scrutinizes the cutscenes of Marvel’s counterparts for insights. It’s uncommon for any game to invite this level of examination. However, Death Stranding 2 diverges from convention, excelling in both atmosphere and narrative delivery, while maintaining a tactile storytelling quality that enriches its extensive gameplay system. The tension between these elements renders it compelling. Initially, each aspect demands courage, but over time, you’ll savor both experiences.

For those who missed the inaugural Stranding, yes, this is indeed the sequel in a series that revolves around transporting cargo between waypoints, whether on foot or via vehicles. Like a post-apocalyptic Amazon delivery driver, it provides essentials, technology, and luxurious packages. The first game introduced a mystical shift that allowed the deceased to return as spectral entities known as Beach Things (BTS). When a BT claims a human life, it results in a tragic event termed a “void-out.”

With humanity divided and isolated in subterranean bunkers, the protagonist, Sam Porter Bridges (Norman Reedus), is tasked with connecting the remaining enclaves of American civilization to a global technological network known as the “chiral network,” thereby restoring hope for a brighter future. He accomplishes this by traveling across the continent with Lou, a supernatural infant carried in an artificial womb. At the start of this sequel, he enjoys a secluded existence in Mexico with Lou, who has now grown into a toddler.

And believe me, these are significant cliff notes. Death Stranding 2 opens with an impressive six-minute cutscene aimed at immersing players in the peculiar sci-fi universe and poetic metaphors crafted by the Isle. Unraveling this mystery constitutes half the enjoyment (the other half is cargo shifting), but even if you’re not fully invested in the world, it operates on a dreamlike logic that feels intuitive. It’s uncertain whether this environment resembles something we recognize or if it has always been a blend of Icelandic tundra, snow-capped mountains, and colorful deserts, or perhaps it once resembled the Australian landscapes of Death Stranding 2. The crucial point is that it feels coherent throughout.

While it is contemplative, this is not a game about watching Sam retire for 50 hours and revel in fatherhood. He is inevitably drawn back into action, reconnecting Mexican and Australian populations to the Chiral Network for a venture named Ngubridge, a logistics company backed by an enigmatic benefactor and featuring returning character vulnerabilities (Rare Saidoo). If that sounds rather dull, consider it a quirky scenario with fragile Greta Garbo gloves around her neck!

A colorful cast surrounds DHV Magellan, a ship featuring more A-listers than the Cannes red carpet, aiding Sam in his missions. Seydoux, George Miller, Guillermo Del Toro, Nicolas Winding Refn, Elle Fanning, and Shioli Kutsuna deliver equally stellar performances alongside veteran voice actor Troy Baker as Chief Villain Higgs. The principal characters function mainly as poetic devices and unique metaphors. Rain (Kutsuna) is an optimistic outcast who summons rain each time he steps outdoors. Tarman (Miller) sacrificed his hand to supernatural tar and now guides the boat through its mysterious waters. Hartman (Darren Jacobs) faces death and rebirth every few minutes. Though they ought to be too peculiar to elicit sympathy, rare moments link their stories with human emotions in a poignant manner. If you don’t feel a lump in your throat watching Rain and Tomorrow (Fanning) sing together, then it’s not only Deadman who’s lost their humanity.

Interestingly, package delivery is showcased at the pinnacle of gameplay standards. It may sound mundane, but the intricate workings of these detailed systems easily draw you in. In the previous installment, combat felt secondary, but this time, missions clash not only with BTS but also other humans, benefitting from a fluid mechanic that fires hand-held bullets and executes neck snaps. You can craft ladders, climbing ropes, and other gear when the risk of attack is heightened. The joy resonates as much in preparation as in action. It feels rewarding to impose order on a chaotic world that might otherwise seem disordered. It’s likely why many of us baked countless loaves of banana bread during the lockdown.

The Isle originally drafted a story for Death Stranding 2 before the Covid-19 crisis but restructured it entirely after enduring lockdown alongside the rest of the world. The effects are evident. We promise to shield you from the profound loneliness embodied in Sam’s role as a porter who traverses desolate landscapes.

Effectively, you can interact with other players, albeit at a distance, sharing equipment, constructing structures, and leaving holographic signs and commendations for others in your game. This feature serves as a satirical commentary on entrapment. Over time, the world becomes cluttered with flickering icons and increasing structures, leading to a constant bombardment of “like” symbols. It feels akin to the attention spans dulled by social media, but it’s likely no coincidence.

The first game presented a surprising advantage. The two sequels do not. Many of the thrilling and tedious elements that defined the first are also present here, yet they have been refined, rendering the gameplay mechanically rich and meaningful. Combat feels more impactful, the world maps exhibit greater craftsmanship, and the missions offer enhanced variety. Tasking them with recreating the same gameplay in an entirely new narrative could feel like a jest, but it presents layers of mechanical depth that are anything but trivial.

Among the many themes Death Stranding 2 seeks to convey, the most prominent is that you are never truly alone. Global calamities, vast technologies, and even the specter of death may abstract the ways we connect, yet they can never fully sever our bonds. Not bad for a game centered on delivering packages.