Death Stranding 2: Duration Revealed

*Death Stranding 2: On the Beach* is now available on PS5, offering players an expansive adventure across the vast landscapes of Australia and Mexico as Sam Porter Bridges continues his mission to connect continents through the Chiral Network. But just how long does it take to complete this surreal journey? We gathered insights from members of the IGN team to break down their playtime, focus areas, and overall experience with the game.

Simon Cardy – Senior Editor

Simon completed the main story of *Death Stranding 2* in just over **34 hours**. He followed a mostly linear path, focusing on core missions and completing only around a dozen optional side tasks. While he acknowledges that additional side content can provide helpful tools, he found the sequel significantly smoother than its predecessor, reducing much of the original’s logistical challenge without compromising depth or engagement.

After finishing the story, Simon spent an additional ten hours connecting regions like Australia and Mexico to the Chiral Network. However, he still feels drawn back to improve facility connections to five stars—a testament to the game’s compelling systems and progression loops.

Matt Kim – Senior Feature Editor

Matt wrapped up the main campaign in approximately **38 hours**, noting that while cutscenes are present, they’ve been trimmed down compared to the first game. Hideo Kojima seems to have prioritized gameplay over narrative exposition, resulting in a more focused experience.

He concentrated mainly on the story, completing only a few side quests that added a couple of extra hours to his total. Despite finishing the credits, Matt remains eager to return for a near-complete or even platinum run—proof that *Death Stranding 2* leaves a lasting impression beyond the final mission.

How Does Death Stranding 2 Compare to Other Kojima Games?

While *Death Stranding 2* spans a continent and delivers a rich, atmospheric journey, how does its runtime stack up against other titles in Kojima’s portfolio? Based on average completion times:

• Metal Gear Solid – 11.5 hours
• Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty – 13 hours
• Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater – 16 hours
• Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots – 18.5 hours
• Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain – 45.5 hours
• Death Stranding – 40.5 hours
• Death Stranding 2: On the Beach – 37.7 hours (IGN average)

This places *Death Stranding 2* slightly shorter than its predecessor but still among the longer experiences in Kojima’s library—especially when factoring in post-story exploration and side content.

Nick Limon – Executive Producer

Nick reached the end credits after **41 hours** of gameplay. His approach was more exploratory—he took time to absorb the environment, enjoy the music, and explore hidden corners of both Mexico and Australia. While he didn’t fully reconnect all of Australia to the Chiral Network, he connected most of it and plans to finish the remaining links soon.

A significant portion of his time was spent improving his standing with Preppers, selecting gear and upgrades tailored to his personal playstyle. He also noted that *Death Stranding 2* offers much more refined and engaging side content compared to the original—an enticing reason to keep playing even after the credits roll.

Whether you're aiming for a full 100% completion, chasing every side delivery, or simply here for the story-driven journey, *Death Stranding 2: On the Beach* offers a unique and immersive experience. With varied playthrough lengths and deep systems rewarding exploration, it's a game that adapts to your pace and priorities.