What can you do as a free member?

Member benefits illustration

Create your free account today and unlock all our premium features and tools to enhance your gaming experience.

Member benefits illustration

Create your free account today and save articles to your watchlist and get notified when they're updated with new information.

Member benefits illustration

Create your free account today and save your favorite games for quick access later, synced across all your devices.

Member benefits illustration

By creating a Game8 account and logging in, you'll receive instant notifications when someone replies to your posts.

Comment rating feature illustration

By creating a Game8 account and logging in, you can make use of convenient features in the comments section, such as rating and sorting comments.

Premium archive feature illustration

By creating a Game8 account and logging in, you can access Premium articles that are exclusively available to members.

Site Interface

Guest
Free Member
Article Watchlist
Game Bookmarks
Cross-device Sync
Light/Dark Theme Toggle
User Profiles
Direct Feedback
Comment Rating

Game Tools

Guest
Free Member
Interactive Map Access
Interactive Map Pins
Interactive Map Comments
Interactive Map Pins Cross-Device
Check List
Event Choice Checker
Deck Builder Cross-Device
Message Board Notification
Message Board Cross-Device
Build Planner
Stat Calculator
Diagnostic Tool
Weapon/Armor Wishlist

Want more information?Learn more

Death Stranding 2 On the Beach (DS2)

Beginner's Guide to Death Stranding 2

Add to Watchlist

Death Stranding 2 - Beginner
This is a beginner's guide to Death Stranding 2 On the Beach. Discover tips and tricks to help you get started on your journey as a porter in a new world.

Beginner's Guide to Death Stranding 2

Death Stranding 2 Beginner Tips
Set the Appropriate Difficulty Setting
Learn the Cargo and Traversal Mechanics
Keep Track of Your Orders
Plan a Good Route
Utilize Combat and Stealth Mechanics
Set Up Your APAS and Build Properly
Passive Stats Increase With Your Playstyle
Use the Social Strand System

Set the Appropriate Difficulty Setting

All Difficulty Settings
Story Allows you to focus completely on the story. Recommended for those who struggle with action games but want to play all the way to the end.
Casual Gameplay remains relatively effortless, allowing you to enjoy the story. Recommended for those who want to enjoy a few moderate challenges along the way.
Normal Mixes challenging gameplay with an enjoyable story. Recommended for those who are familiar with action games and want to experience everything this title has to offer.
Brutal Recommended for those who want a real challenge to accompany the story. Completing the game at this difficulty level will test all your skills, and provide a true sense of accomplishment. Your reputation will be legendary, and your standing as a porter unmatched.

Death Stranding 2 will come with 4 difficulty options to choose from. Choose based on your preference for what type of gameplay experience you would like.

On easy, traversal mechanics are more forgiving and combat will be much easier to manage, while harder difficulty levels will need a bit more methodical planning in the routes and fights you take.

Difficulty Settings and Differences

Learn the Cargo and Traversal Mechanics

Traversing Terrain

For newcomers to Death Stranding and its unique mechanics, the early hours can feel a bit challenging. Always keep in mind how your movement, weight distribution, and balance affect traversal as you make your way through the terrain.

Balance Your Packed Cargo

Cargo Management

Maintaining a well-balanced pack is essential for smoother traversal, so try to distribute your cargo evenly to reduce wobbling. A stable load makes walking easier, especially across uneven terrain, helping you avoid stumbles and falls.

Scan the Environment Frequently

Scanner

To move more efficiently, use the Scanner to plot a clear path ahead. This helps ensure a smoother and more effective journey through the terrain.

How to Use the Scanner

Keep Track of Your Orders

If you're unsure where to go next, check your Orders to see your current destination and delivery objective.

Plan a Good Route Ahead of Time

Plotting Route

Plan your next path carefully. Don’t forget to plot your route to ensure a smooth and efficient journey to your destination.

Learn the Terrain

Terrain Hazards

Learn the various terrains you are scanning to plot better routes in the future. Stumbling through hazardous terrain can damage or even destroy your goods.

Utilize Combat and Stealth Mechanics

Combat Shooting

You will occasionally be in combat scenarios, so having the right weapons and equipment is essential. As you unlock more items like firearms and skeletons, they become another customizable option for how you choose to approach your obstacles.

Use Sneaking to Your Advantage

Stealth Mechanics

Sneaking can give you the upper hand when navigating areas with hostile enemies. Stealth can be the safest way forward, or help you incapacitate hostiles without getting scratched.

Choose the Right APAS Enhancements

APAS

To grow stronger and more efficient, upgrade your APAS and skills to match your playstyle. Unlocking better enhancements as you progress will steadily improve your capabilities.

Passive Stats Grow Through Your Gameplay

Sam

Your stats will level up based on how you traverse the world and the weapons you use. Repeating certain actions will gradually improve related stats, allowing your playstyle to evolve as you progress naturally.

How to Increase Stats

Use the Social Strand System

Death Stranding 2 Online Features

Death Stranding 2 features the Social Strand System, enabling players to connect across their game worlds. You can utilize structures that other players left behind to help on your journey.

Multiplayer Features

All Tips and Tricks Guides

Setting Guides
Best and Recommended Settings All Difficulty Differences and Best Difficulty
Language Settings List of Controls
How to Skip Cutscenes Quality or Performance Mode
Gameplay Guides
How to Claim Deluxe Edition Items How to Get S Rank
How to Fast Travel Aid Requests
How to Increase Porter Grade How to Use the VR Training Room
How to Increase Memory Rock Paper Scissors Guide
How to Restore Stamina Sneaking Guide
How to Rest How to Increase Stats
How to Place Signs How to Take a Shower
How to Heal How to Save
How to Use the Scanner How to Increase Connection Levels
How to Use Photo Mode How to Cross Rivers
All Environmental Hazards How to Kill MULEs
How to Double Jump How to Get Likes
Motherhood Door Code Solution Brutal Difficulty Tips
How to Capture BTs How to Mark Enemies
How to Kill and Defeat BTs How to Charge Vehicles
How to Dispose Corpses How to Piss and Its Effects
Zipline Range and Best Placements How to Deal with Bats
How to Build Roads How to Play the Harmonica
How to Use Monorails Effects of Sunburn
How to Destroy Tar Drugs How to Move the DHV Magellan
How to Unlock and Use Instant Camera -
FAQs
How to Check and Soothe Lou How to Go Back to Mexico
How to Capture and Transport Animals Why is the Ammo Pouch Not Working?
What is a Magellan Evaluation? New Game Plus Explained
Are There Missable Trophies? How to Make the Giant Moon Appear
Equipment Guides
MP Bullets Explained How to Take Off Backpack
How to Get Ammo How to Repair Cargo
How to Play Music -
Combat Guides
How to Dodge -
Farming Guides
How to Farm Chiral Crystals How to Farm Metals
How to Farm Ceramics How to Farm Special Alloys
How to Farm Chemicals How to Farm Resins
Explainers
What is DOOMS? Voidouts Explained
Pretend You Won Explained Bridge Link Explained

Death Stranding 2 Related Guides

Death Stranding 2 Wiki

Death Stranding 2 Walkthrough Wiki

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach Wiki

List of OrdersOrders Death Stranding 2 Beginner GuidesBeginner Guides
Death Stranding 2 - Interactive MapInteractive Map Death Stranding 2 - SkillsSkills
Death Stranding 2 - WeaponsWeapons Death Stranding 2 - ToolsTools
Death Stranding 2 - SkeletonsSkeletons OutfitsOutfits
Death Stranding 2 - BootsBoots GlovesGloves
Death Stranding 2 Backpack AttachmentsBackpack Attachments StructuresStructures
CharactersCharacters Death Stranding 2 BossesBosses
Death Stranding 2 - VehiclesVehicles Death Stranding 2 - Vehicle AccessoriesVehicle Accessories
Death Stranding 2 ChoicesChoices Latest News and Game InfoNews and Game Info

Recommended Guides

Recommended Guides
All Celebrity Cameos and Preppers What Does Your Birthday Do?
All Unlockables List of All Songs
Where to Find Usada Pekora The Artist Location
Coffin Easter Egg -
Meta Guides
Best Stats to Upgrade Best Backpack Setup
Best Weapons Best Unlocks and Upgrades
Best Skills Best Skeleton
Best Boots -
Trophy Guides
Platinum Trophy Guide So You’re the Pizza Chef Trophy Guide
Written in the Stars Trophy Guide Dollman Dance Easter Egg
How to Find Golden Chiral Creature Emergency Worker Trophy Guide

Author

    Please participate in our site
    improvement survey
    12/2025
    Would you assist in
    improving Game8's site?
    ×
    This survey will take about 1 minute.
    Your answers will help us to improve our website.
    We are listening to our users' valuable opinions and discussing how to act on them.
    The information collected through this survey will be used for the purpose of improving our services. In addition, the information will only be disclosed a part of a statistic in a format that will not allow identification of personal information.
    Begin Survey

    All rights reserved

    Guide Index