Should I Play Death Stranding 1 Before 2?

When It Makes Sense

• Good fit: You value story continuity and want to understand the returning characters, factions, and central mysteries. Death Stranding is heavily narrative-driven, and the sequel builds on events, relationships, and lore established in the first game.
• Good fit: You enjoy methodical, atmospheric gameplay where traversal, planning, and asynchronous multiplayer are core mechanics. Playing the original lets you experience the design philosophy that shaped the series before moving on to any refinements in the sequel.

When You Should Avoid It

• Warning sign: You strongly dislike slow-paced or walking-simulator-style gameplay and worry the first game will burn you out. If the original’s deliberate pace would frustrate you, forcing yourself through it could make you abandon the series entirely.
• Warning sign: You only have limited time and the sequel’s quality-of-life improvements, visuals, or premise interest you far more. Skipping ahead may be reasonable, provided you accept that some plot references and emotional moments will carry less weight.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Playing the first game provides essential context for the world, characters, and terminology, making the sequel’s story more meaningful and easier to follow.
• You experience the full evolution of the gameplay, community-building mechanics, and themes, which can deepen your appreciation for any improvements or callbacks in the second game.

Cons

• Death Stranding’s slow, meditative pace is polarizing; some players find the early hours tedious and may not finish the game before the sequel releases.
• Starting with a years-old game may feel dated compared to a newer release, especially if the sequel offers better controls, visuals, onboarding, or quality-of-life features.

Decision Checklist

• Do I care about understanding the full plot, character arcs, and recurring references, or am I comfortable catching up through summaries?
• Am I genuinely interested in the first game’s traversal and social mechanics, or am I only considering it as homework before the sequel?
• Can I commit enough time to complete or meaningfully progress through the first game without feeling rushed or resentful?

Alternatives to Consider

If you are unsure about committing to the full first game, you can watch a reputable story recap or read a detailed plot summary before starting the sequel. Another option is to try the original for a few hours and stop if the gameplay does not click; you can always return later or use a recap to fill gaps. Some players also choose to wait and see whether the sequel includes a robust in-game primer for newcomers.

Final Recommendation

The best path depends on your priorities. If story investment and full context matter to you, play Death Stranding 1 before the sequel, ideally with Director’s Cut content if available. If the first game’s experimental pacing would likely turn you away, jumping into Death Stranding 2 with a recap is a reasonable compromise. Since spending money and time on games is a personal purchasing decision, base your choice on your own preferences, budget, and available time.