How Long Does It Take to Complete Death Stranding 2? Insights from the IGN Team

Exploring the Length of Death Stranding 2: An Overview

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach has recently launched on PS5, taking players on an epic expedition across the diverse landscapes of Australia. As Sam Porter Bridges strives to reconnect a fractured continent to the Chiral Network, many wonder just how extensive this adventure really is. To give you a clearer picture, we’ve gathered timing insights from several members of the IGN team, sharing how long it took them to complete the main story and what gameplay choices influenced their experience.

Time Spent by IGN Editors: A Closer Look

Simon Cardy – Senior Editor

After finishing the main storyline of Death Stranding 2, I clocked in just over 34 hours. I mainly focused on the core missions, only doing about a dozen optional objectives along the way. Interestingly, this streamlined approach didn’t make the game significantly easier, as optional side tasks do provide helpful tools and upgrades. The game itself has been designed to reduce some of the frustration from the original, making the journey smoother—though toward the end, a few combat encounters and long-distance deliveries did give me pause.

Since completing the story, I’ve spent another ten hours connecting Australia and Mexico to the Chiral Network. I’m still motivated to upgrade all facility connections to five stars and leave no stone unturned. As someone who loves completing every aspect of a game, I’ll be returning to take on additional missions and explore what else Death Stranding 2 has to offer.

Matt Kim – Senior Feature Editor

It took me roughly 38 hours to reach the credits of Death Stranding 2. Notably, about half of that time was spent playing, with the other half dedicated to cinematics. Hideo Kojima intentionally trimmed down cutscene durations to keep players immersed in the gameplay itself, which I appreciated. My focus was primarily on the main missions, although I did complete a handful of side quests that added a couple of hours to my total runtime. There’s still a lot I haven’t explored, and I look forward to returning for a more comprehensive, near-100% completion run. Maybe I’ll even aim for the platinum trophy!

How Does Death Stranding 2 Compare to Other Kojima Titles?

While Death Stranding 2 offers a sprawling, continent-crossing adventure, how does its length stack up against previous Kojima games? Based on data from How Long to Beat, here are the average main story completion times for Kojima’s major titles and the first Death Stranding:

• 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 – approximately 37.7 hours (average from IGN)

Player Perspectives: How Long Did It Take to Finish?

Nick Limon – Executive Producer

I wrapped up my playthrough of Death Stranding 2 in about 41 hours. I took my time exploring Mexico and Australia thoroughly, appreciating the sights and sounds while listening to my portable music player. I managed to connect most of Australia to the Chiral Network, leaving only a few stubborn areas for future visits. My main focus was improving my standing with the Preppers by using items and upgrades tailored to my preferred playstyle. Unlike the original game, Death Stranding 2 features more diverse side content, which I’m eager to dive into further. I plan to complete every available side mission and upgrade everything I can!

Which Approach Suits You Best?

Are you planning to take your time, exploring every nook and cranny, or do you prefer rushing through the story to see the ending? Whether you aim for a full completion or just want to experience the narrative, Death Stranding 2 offers a flexible gameplay experience suited to different play styles.

Simon Cardy is a Senior Editor at IGN, often found wandering open-world landscapes, indulging in Korean cinema, or lamenting the state of Tottenham Hotspur and the New York Jets. Follow him on social media at @cardy.bsky.social.