I’m completely obsessed with building and repairing roads in Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, and it’s had a huge impact on my playthrough, in the best ways, of course. But, admittedly, it’s also pulled me away from the main story a bit. Honestly, I don’t think that’s a bad thing. Death Stranding has always been a game meant to be taken slowly.
As I paved the way for new roads and kept them supplied with Ceramics and Metals, I started noticing something: everyone seems to be donating to the wrong structures. I keep getting notifications from players helping out Watchtowers and Generators, and while that’s not useless, it’s definitely not the most efficient way to optimize deliveries.
Yes, go ahead and grab your pitchforks, because I truly believe the real priority for every player in Death Stranding 2 should be reconstructing and expanding the road networks. And those who aren’t doing it? You’re playing the game wrong.
Focus on Building the Roads
If you’re not lounging around the DHV Magellan snapping photos of Tomorrow, Fragile, and Rainy, you need to get moving and start hauling a truckload of Ceramics and Metals. These are the materials required to construct the extensive road network that spans the entire Australian continent.
click to enlarge
+ 4It’s a long and grueling process, but it’s essential if you want to create optimized delivery routes in Death Stranding 2. Thanks to the game’s Social Strand System, players who donate to Auto-Pavers reduce the material requirements for others on the same Strand server. And in case you didn’t know, yes, Death Stranding features a light online system that allows players to share their tools and structures with others. Think of it like Dark Souls’ online system, but with more depth and cooperation.
Stock Up on Materials
Metals and Ceramics are the two main components for road construction. You can find them scattered across the Australian landscape, but the best sources are Mines, provided you’ve got Special Alloys to spare. A safer and more reliable method is raiding Preppers’ shelters. Don’t feel bad about it, just take their entire stock of Ceramics and Metals and load it all into your DHV Magellan.
click to enlarge + 4It’s a satisfying gameplay loop that ate up a huge chunk of my time, but it’s one of the most rewarding aspects of Death Stranding. I enjoyed this in the original, and I love it even more now.
READ: Should You Play Death Stranding 1 Before Death Stranding 2?
For Those Who Come After
The true joy of building roads comes from helping others traverse the vast and hostile Australian outback. There’s something special about seeing that notification pop up: “Someone used your road.” I felt like Gustave from Expedition 33, blazing a trail for others to follow.
click to enlarge + 4Of course, I’ll admit it wasn’t entirely altruistic. These roads are by far the most efficient method for making deliveries. I don’t want to waste my time watching Sam stumble over rocks while hauling half a ton of cargo. I’d much rather let the road take me and my Off-Road Hauler across the continent, far from the BTs, Brigands, and whatever else Australia throws at me.
click to enlarge + 4So, if you’re playing Death Stranding 2 and reading this, do the right thing. Build roads. Carve out a path for those who come after you.
Keep on keeping on.
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