Essential Tips for Completing Puzzles as New Porters in Death Stranding 2

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In Death Stranding 2: On The Beach, there’s a lot to take in. If you’ve played Kojima Productions’ earlier title, you’ll quickly remember the challenge of delivering everything from massive packages to the deceased. However, this sequel brings new characters, fresh mechanics, and a variety of foes to face.

Your journey spans Australia and Mexico, presenting a 40-hour adventure packed with deliveries, battles against sinister tar ghosts, and the inevitable slips down rocky slopes. To help you navigate this adventure, here are some key tips to get started.

Don’t Waste Your Time In Mexico

In Death Stranding 2, the campaign kicks off in Mexico, which serves as an extended tutorial where Sam Porter Bridges reconnects with familiar allies as he resumes his role as a delivery hero.

You could spend hours linking shelters to the network here, but it’s more beneficial to unlock the Plate Gate and head to Australia at your earliest convenience. Don’t worry; you’ll have plenty of chances to return to Mexico once you make progress.

Getting to Australia early allows you to advance the narrative while unlocking new gameplay mechanics and equipment that will assist in future deliveries. In Mexico, you’re limited to basics, and many of the tasks don’t have immediate consequences, so there’s no rush to complete every side mission.

Remember The Essentials

Sam poses with a wild kangaroo in Death Stranding 2.

Each order in Death Stranding 2 presents unique challenges, requiring you to adapt to different objectives and environments to succeed. As you prepare for your missions, it’s crucial not to overlook basic items. Even seasoned couriers can forget essential supplies like blood bags for healing, grappling hooks, and ladders for getting around, not to mention firearms for combat.

Sam walks along a recently paved road during a storm in Death Stranding 2.

It’s common to think you can rely on other players who leave behind resources, but I often found myself unprepared, searching for health supplies while facing a group of enemies. While Death Stranding 2 isn’t overly difficult, there’s no reason to make it harder on yourself.

Don’t Neglect The Needs Of Other Players

Sam Porter Bridges screams out in sadness in Death Stranding 2.

Death Stranding 2 is a primarily single-player game but incorporates elements of other players’ interactions. Once you connect parts of the map to the chiral network, you’ll notice contributions from others, including structures and items they’ve left behind.

When you see green circles from NPCs or other players requesting specific items, helping them out will earn you 100 likes and strengthen your connections with those players. These opportunities are everywhere, presenting a simple way to build relationships and earn rewards.

Never Stop Repairing And Building

Sam contributes resources to another player's structure in Death Stranding 2.

The world is filled with player-built structures, and you can contribute to these by providing materials like metal, ceramics, and resin. Carrying a few universal resources with you makes a big difference, allowing you to help build roads and shelters. Once you complete one part of a road, others will quickly follow.

Every time you contribute, you earn likes based on your input, which, while it mainly boosts your rank, is still gratifying.

Don’t Be Afraid To Fight

Sam engages in a firefight with enemy bandits in Death Stranding 2.

This time around, Sam is better equipped for combat and can absorb quite a bit of damage before going down. If you do get knocked out, you often have a chance to recover just before hitting the ground. Many enemies can be taken down with just a few hits, whether you prefer using a weapon or bare fists.

Of course, armored enemies and BTs can be more challenging, but with the right strategy and planning, you can take down entire camps while remaining in cover.

Take Off Your Backpack

Sam reaches the top of a snowy mountain and poses in triumph in Death Stranding 2.

Dropping cargo can be frustrating in Death Stranding 2. Before tackling large areas or engaging in fights, hold down the triangle button to remove your backpack. Once the situation stabilizes, you can always retrieve it later—but be cautious, as enemies might snatch your belongings if they spot them.

Private Rooms Are Your Best Friend

Sam does a seductive pose while sat on his bed in a private room in Death Stranding 2.

Sam often gets reminders to rest after completing deliveries, and while it might feel repetitive, private rooms are actually quite valuable. They allow you to replenish health and stamina, take showers, and access equipment upgrades or VR missions.

There are many private rooms throughout the game, particularly in major settlements, making them easy to access. They also provide unique interactions and dialogue that can’t be found elsewhere.

Take Your Time

Sam Porter Bridges dangles his baby off a cliff in Death Stranding 2.

While racing through Mexico to reach Australia is advisable, once you settle in the Outback, be sure to take your time. Don’t rush through the story, as there’s so much depth to explore. Accept every side quest offered by NPCs; the rewards can be significant.

Ultimately, experiment with various approaches before settling on strategies that work for you. The systems in Death Stranding 2 respond to your actions, so the best way to uncover everything is to slow down and explore all it has to offer.