Katarzyna Petru
Hideo Kojima is back with another, even more peculiar and emotional project. Death Stranding 2 has just had its first weekend after release and – although the reviews are great, and players praise the artistic and narrative direction – unsettling reports are beginning to flood the network. The PlayStation 5 console is starting to overheat… and that's just with one specific element of the game.
What is Death Stranding?
This is not a typical action game. Death Stranding is a unique experience that combines exploration, couriering, and deep symbolism about loneliness and the rebuilding of interpersonal relationships. We take on the role of Sam Porter Bridges – a man who, after the end of the world, tries to reconnect isolated enclaves. Kojima has created a world where every step matters, and the rain can... age you. This story balances on the edge of sci-fi and mysticism, while simultaneously addressing extremely relevant social issues.
What is the difference between Death Stranding 2 and the first instalment?
The sequel is not only a continuation of the story – it is a technological and narrative leap forward. Kojima Productions has refined virtually every aspect of gameplay: movement is smoother, the enemies are more interesting, and route planning has gained a whole new level of depth. Additionally, there are more familiar faces (including Norman Reedus, Léa Seydoux, Elle Fanning), more polished visuals, and an even more complex world where not everything is as it seems. The story also takes a turn towards new territories – more metaphysical, even more “Kojima-esque”.
Great game, but… PS5 may not hold up
Sounds like a success? Unfortunately not for everyone. There have been reports from gamers online who are experiencing serious technical issues – their PS5 overheats when launching... the map. Yes, the map in Death Stranding 2 apparently has no frame rate limit, which leads to a strange situation: the game itself runs smoothly, but as soon as you turn on the map screen, the fans kick into high gear, and some players even receive an overheating warning for the console.
One user on Reddit described the situation as follows:
“The game runs great, but as soon as I bring up the map, the fan starts screaming like a vacuum cleaner and shortly thereafter, an overheating warning appears. The console is placed in a well-ventilated area and is regularly cleaned, so it's definitely not a dust or airflow problem.”
Under the post, more reports of the same issue quickly began to appear. Players suspect that the lack of FPS limitation in the map menu causes a sudden load on the GPU, which leads to a spike in temperature. What's worse – the weekend game update did not resolve this issue.
It's better to wait for a patch...
For now, it is unknown when Kojima Productions will fix this bug. If you have a PS5 and plan to immerse yourself in the world of Death Stranding 2, you’d better equip yourself with patience or... don't touch the map too often. At least – keep an eye on your console’s temperature. One of the most atmospheric games of the year may also turn out to be... the hottest. Literally.
