"Death Stranding 2: Bosses Bypassed, Not Beaten"

Death Stranding 2 introduces a unique gameplay feature that allows players to bypass boss fights entirely, opting instead for a visual novel-style narrative summary. Learn more about this innovative design choice and the latest updates on the game's development progress.

Death Stranding 2 Development Updates

New Feature Lets Players Clear Bosses Without Combat

In Death Stranding 2: On The Beach (DS2), players will have the option to clear bosses without engaging in combat. During the April 14 episode of the Koji Pro radio broadcast, DS2 Director Hideo Kojima revealed that the game includes a new accessibility feature aimed at helping less experienced players progress through challenging encounters.

According to Kojima, if a player fails a boss fight, they can choose the “continue” option on the game over screen. This skips the battle and advances the story by displaying illustrated scenes and descriptive text—mimicking the style of a visual novel. This ensures players still receive the full narrative context of the encounter without needing to master the combat mechanics.

Death Stranding 2 is Approximately 95% Complete

Hideo Kojima recently confirmed that Death Stranding 2 is currently around 95% complete. He elaborated with a time-based analogy: "It’s at about 95% now… It feels like it is 10 o’clock PM, speaking in terms of a 24-hour day. Koji Pro’s DS2 is at 10 o’clock PM, with about two hours left."

Set directly after the events of the first game, Death Stranding 2 continues the mysterious and cinematic journey introduced in its predecessor. At the recent South by Southwest (SXSW) event, Kojima Productions and Sony showcased a 10-minute trailer that gave fans a deeper look into the game’s storyline and introduced several intriguing new characters.

Among the many highlights of the panel was the appearance of a character resembling Solid Snake—an iconic figure from Kojima’s past work—sparking excitement among longtime fans. Alongside fresh story elements and gameplay features, the presentation also unveiled details about the collector’s edition and pre-order bonuses for the upcoming title.

For more information on Death Stranding 2 pre-orders, DLC content, and exclusive in-game items, check out our dedicated article below!