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Death Stranding 2 elevates the humble postie to heroic status, and nothing – not bandits, ghosts or weird, oily tentacle-monsters – will stand in his way

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Death Stranding 2 (PlayStation, £69.99) 

Verdict: Out there and outstanding 

Never has a game celebrated the good ol’ postie as Death Stranding 2 does.

In this scenario, the individuals responsible for delivering our packages are held in such high regard that they’re akin to heroes. Even within a video game context, your character, Sam Porter Bridges, embodies this role by traversing various locations to make sure these deliveries are successfully completed.

It helps, though, that, in this case, the risks are greater than the occasional heel-snapping dog.

For those who’ve experienced the original Death Stranding (2019), you’re aware that the story unfolds in a future where the distinctions between life and death have been shattered dramatically. On Sam’s journey, he encounters bandits, spectral entities, and peculiar, slimy tentacle-beasts.

His job isn’t just to pop things through letterboxes — it’s to reconnect all human society.

If that makes Death Stranding sound weird, then good. It is.

In DS2, you’ll primarily traverse the harsh Australian landscape, moving one step at a time and frequently battling the challenging terrain. You’ll need to adjust your gear regularly, and more often than not, you’ll find yourself trying to avoid slips and falls. This game offers an unconventional gaming experience.

With Death Stranding 2 (DS2), series creator Hideo Kojima has kept his unusual pledge from the previous installment. It offers a wider variety of choices, not just in skills but also in equipment, empowering you to customize Sam (voiced by Norman Reedus from The Walking Dead) more extensively. The stealth and combat sequences are thrilling, rivaling even those found in Kojima’s Metal Gear Solid V (2015). The landscapes, both land- and skyscapes, are among the most breathtaking ever created digitally.

The narrative, brought to life by high-profile digital renditions of esteemed Hollywood stars like Elle Fanning, Léa Seydoux, and Guillermo del Toro, promises a journey unmatched by any other game. To put it simply, it explores realms never ventured before.

As a die-hard fan, I must confess that Dark Souls II is nothing short of audacious, bordering on the insane, and it doesn’t shy away from a touch of self-indulgence. Yet, just like our steadfast hero, it manages to pull through, delivering an unforgettable journey.

 

System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster (PC, £23.99)

Verdict: Still shockingly good

An unexpected issue has arisen onboard the Von Braun, a ship capable of traveling faster than light, which was dispatched in 2114 to explore beyond the boundaries of our solar system. While exploring a remote planet, it detected an urgent message or call for help.

Currently, a large portion of the crew have been transformed into zombie-like beings due to factors such as alien spawn, mind-altering parasites, and faulty computer systems – the sort of issues one might encounter in an ordinary day aboard a spaceship.

Except now, in this year 2025, something has finally gone right aboard the Von Braun.

Twenty-six years after the initial release of System Shock 2, where the catastrophic tale of the spaceship was initially unfolded, we now have a beautifully updated version. Enhanced visuals, contemporary control options, and numerous quality-of-life improvements… just the typical upgrades you’d expect.

Re-experiencing System Shock 2 is an absolute thrill. Despite countless other games following in its footsteps with enhanced gameplay, it still stands as one of the best ever made.

Its blend of first-person shooting and character-building mechanics is still extremely compelling.

The sense of dread it inspires is still overwhelming.

As a devoted fan, I must say that the stunning plot twist – one could even hint at it involving the menacing AI character, SHODAN, from the initial game – remains just as startling to me now as it did then.

Speaking about the remastered version specifically, it’s been handled by Nightdive Studios, one of the top game preservation teams in the industry. They’ve done a fantastic job, putting care and skill into every aspect of it. It’s System Shock 2 as you recall it, but with a significant upgrade – not as visually stunning as the latest Call of Duty titles, but it’s been given a substantial shine to reflect the modern touch, while still retaining its ’90s charm.

The potential issue here, if you’d like to label it as such, is that System Shock 2 has undergone significant improvements since its initial launch, thanks to enthusiasts creating and sharing their own upgrades online.

To clarify, this updated version doesn’t offer the same level of innovation as Nightdive Studios’ complete remaster of the original System Shock, released in 2023.

Still, if you want to play the best version of one of history’s best games, this is it.

SHODAN is waiting for you, pathetic creature of meat and bone.

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2025-06-27 01:48

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