Summary
- Death Stranding 2 features two continents for players to visit: Mexico and Australia.
- Players can build relationships with NPCs in bunkers for rewards like custom colors and weapons.
- Unlockable items include a custom Twin Rod, Assault Rifle Lv2, and a Sticky Gun to enhance gameplay.
Hideo Kojima is known for putting twists in his games, even in the beginning. One early example in Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is that there are two continents players will visit with Sam to reconnect them to the Chiral Network. First, Sam will go through a quick run-through of part of Mexico, and then Australia will be a bigger mission.
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Are there more places to visit in Death Stranding 2: On the Beach? That will not be revealed now, but let's go through all of the bunkers and NPCs that players can build relationships with. Who has the best rewards, and who will leave players wanting more? These unlocks will be based on usefulness.
8 Former Geophysical Research Lab Level 5: Custom Hologram Deadman
A Brief Cameo From Deadman
The Former Geophysical Research Lab is the end of the road in Mexico, and it is run by Alex Weatherstone. When players get to the max level of each bunker, the rewards tend to be holograms of the leader and some patches for Sam’s backpack.
Among the many early hologram players can find early, Deadman’s is the coolest. Deadman has such a brief cameo in Death Stranding 2: On the Beach compared to the first game, so it’s just great to immortalize him and the director he is based on, Guillermo del Toro, in such a fun way.
7 The Artist Level 5: Cosmetic Colors: San Tan And Rose Pink
Color Your Gear In Style
The Artist is an optional bunker that players can visit in Mexico, which is run by Lauren Tsai. She’s an inventive painter, but not in a dark way like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’s Paintress. Each level will reward players with new colors to decorate Sam’s outfits, Dollman’s clothes, vehicles, and so much more.
Reaching level 5 will get players San Tan and Rose Pink, which are great colors, but perhaps Navy Blue and Volcano Orange on level 2 will be cooler for some players. Overall, to get new custom colors, players need to level up Lauren’s bunker.
6 Villa Libre Level 1: Watchtower
Watch Enemies From Afar
A returning mechanic from the first game allows players to build structures so long as they have enough Chiral Bandwidth. For example, when players reach their second main bunker in Mexico, Villa Libre, which is run by La Madre, they will get the Watchtower structure.
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A Watchtower can be used to observe any area, but it’s most useful when players want to go full stealth and infiltrate a bandit camp. Players just need to make sure to build the structure at a high elevation and far enough away from a bandit camp to make them not suspicious.
5 Ciudad Nudo Norte Level 4: Big-Bore Handgun (MP)
Up Close And Personal
Ciudad Nudo Norte is the first main bunker players will unlock in Mexico, which is run by the charismatic Norberto Puente. Most of the social levels will unlock weapons and new gear at this bunker, with the fourth level containing one of the most devastating early pistols called the Big-Bore Handgun (MP).
The distance is not great with this weapon, but up close, it can absolutely destroy enemies and even break through armor. This is useful for bandit camps and big boss battles against some of the wilder mechanical foes in the game.
4 Villa Libre Level 4: Custom Twin Rod
Become Your Inner Darth Maul
There’s another cool unlock tied to Villa Libre, and players just have to get to level 4. The Custom Twin Rod will extend itself and shock enemies from both ends as players whip it around. Players can pretend Sam is Maul from the Star Wars series when wielding the Custom Twin Rod.
Someone within Hideo Kojima’s team had to have been thinking about Star Wars when testing out the Custom Twin Rod in Death Stranding 2: On the Beach.
3 C1 South Distribution Center Level 4: Assault Rifle (MP) Lv2
A Better Starting Rifle
The C1 South Distribution Center is the third main bunker players will bring back online, and it is run by Benjamin Rivera. Players will unlock tons of guns across the various bunkers in Death Stranding 2: On the Beach or pick up some weapons from bandits.
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Among the many in Mexico, at least, the Assault Rifle (MP) Lv2 will not let players down. Once players unlock the Anti-BT Bullets at the Former Geophysical Research Lab, this weapon can even take BTs down, which is a much better solution than lobbing countless Blood Grenades.
2 The Bokka Level 2: Sticky Gun
Snatch And Grab From A Distance
The Bokka is an optional bunker in Mexico, like The Artist, which is run by a man simply calling himself The Bokka. The second level unlock will be a game changer as it will keep Sam from falling off cliffs to his death or really going any place that he shouldn’t.
The Sticky Gun will release a cord that can stick to packages, which players can then reel in. It’s like a fishing mechanic in other games, except with more on the line.
1 Former Geophysical Research Lab Level 1: Tri-Cruiser
Vroom Vroom
Technically, the Tri-Cruiser is not tied to a social level, but it is tied directly to a mission related to bringing the Former Geophysical Research Lab back onto the Chiral Network. The Tri-Cruiser is such an important piece of early equipment/vehicle in Death Stranding 2: On the Beach that it’s hard not to talk about.
This vehicle changes how players will engage with the game, making the trek between bunkers much faster. Plus, packages can be stored on it, so yes, this is absolutely the best unlock in Mexico tied to getting the Former Geophysical Research Lab back online and safe from nearby BTs.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 90 /100 Critics Rec: 95%
- Released
- June 26, 2025
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ // Violence, Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Strong Language
- Developer(s)
- Kojima Productions
- Publisher(s)
- Sony Interactive Entertainment
- Engine
- Decima
- Franchise
- Death Stranding
- Number of Players
- Single-player
WHERE TO PLAY
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5
