I don’t really have any complaints aboutDeath Stranding 2: On the Beach; I think it’s a masterpiece, but there is a pretty obvious opportunity that was overlooked. It’s very much a direct follow-up to its predecessor, both in narrative and gameplay. Most of the game is spent trekking across Mexico and Australia, delivering cargo to the scattered remnants of humanity in the wake of the eponymous cataclysm.
There’s plenty of opportunity for relaxation and recreation along the way, though. You can soak in hot springs (and see Sam and Dollman perform a song while doing so) and ride an unladen Floating Carrier down a slope like a sort of snowboard. But the game sets up one activity that never has a gameplay pay-off.Death Stranding 2is sorely missing something that has become increasingly popular in games of all genres: a fishing mini-game.
Death Stranding Already Has Plenty Of Fishing Imagery
Whales, Crustaceans, You Name It
It’s a bit odd thatDeath Strandinghasn’t more prominently featured fishing before, or even constructed a fishing mini-game already.From the series' earliest images, it was heavily associated with images of the sea: whales, crabs, and, of course, the Beach, among other things. There’s even a giant BT boss fight that takes the form of a whale in the first game.
Rivers are also a popular obstacle in both games, where wading for too long or too deep may cause Sam to topple, sending your cargo downstream. There are plenty of locations for fly fishing specifically, butDeath Stranding 2offers an even better alternative in tar fishing.
Tarman’s Backstory Reveals Tar Fishing Is A Canonical Activity
The DHV Magellan Was A Tar Fishing Vessel
Shortly after being introduced toTarman inDeath Stranding 2, he reveals to Sam how he lost his hand, which still exists out in the tar currents that the DHV Magellan travels through.Tarman and his son were tar fishers, pulling all manner of creatures out of the black sludge to help stimulate research into the Death Stranding. There, unfortunately, is not much elaboration on the subject, but it’s enough to convince me thatDeath Stranding 2needs a fishing mini-game.
you may already unlock the Sticky Gun, which is closer to a grappling hook used to grab cargo from a distance, but demonstrates that similar gameplay physics are already at work in the game. The DHV Magellan has been retrofitted for Drawbridge’s purposes – and by the end ofDeath Stranding 2is loaded with weaponry instead of fishing equipment – soa purpose-built item for Sam would likely work better.
Fishing in tar puddles, tar lakes, or Voidout craters could reward you with any manner of things. It could be another way to retrieve lost cargo, which is essentially randomized anyway.It could also be a means to acquire more Chrial Crystals: the fishing line could be manufactured with Sam’s blood or the anti-BT substitute discussed multiple times throughoutDS2so that any BT caught could be neutralized instantly. Chiral Crystals aren’t necessarily in short supply, but without spoiling some of the fun, there are certain items that use Chiral Crystals in abundance in the endgame.
Fishing mini-games are found all over the place nowadays, and people tend to enjoy them as a relaxing reprieve. It would fit right intoDeath Stranding 2, which has world-ending stakes, but also emphasizes the need to take your time and enjoy the adventure.Expanding the Chiral Networkis already a meditative experience, with Sam spending hours away from everyone except Dollman. With all the oceanic imagery, it’s kind of surprising thatDeath Stranding 2: On the Beachdoesn’t have a fishing mini-game, but maybe one can be added post-launch if it gets a definitive edition like the first game’sDirector’s Cut.
