Kojima tweaked Death Stranding 2 to increase tempo and flow of playing

The aim of Death Stranding 2: On the Beach was to ensure that players are engaged until the very end. It was an order given by Hideo Kojima himself. This was a feedback indicating that a majority of players felt that the game was too slow for their tastes.

The gameplay style used in the game was a feature that was included in the original Death Stranding game. However, not all players found this style very satisfying. This was especially true in the early stages of the game.

This was a challenge that the creators of the second installment of the game were looking to solve. One of the main goals they had was to make the game easy enough for everyone to understand without losing any of the character that the series has become known for. According to the lead level designer, Hiroaki Yoshiike, this was a top priority for Kojima, who wanted players to "enjoy the game all the way to the end." The original game had to be slow-paced and introduced a new world and gameplay style. Originally, it was meant that the second installment could get straight to the point without having to explain everything, thereby speeding up the gameplay.

This, however, does not mean that the game has lost its main characteristics, such as connection, exploration, and delivery-based gameplay. This has all been included, but the pacing has been adjusted to make the game a bit more interesting for new players.

Overall, the changes made point towards a different mindset for the creators of the game. In order for them to make the second installment enjoyable from start to finish, they had to make a choice between being creative and being accessible, even if that meant not being divisive.