‘Death Stranding 2’s skip boss battle feature is already dividing the fanbase

Gaming fans are divided over a new mechanic that lets you skip boss battles in Death Stranding 2: On The Beach.

• READ MORE: ‘Death Stranding 2: On The Beach’ review: arty masterpiece sequel is loads of fun

Set 11 eleven months after the events of the first game, Death Stranding 2: On The Beach reunites players with courier Sam Porter as he sets out to connect more communities to the chiral network.

Along the way, there are several boss fights but a new feature will let you skip them if they prove too challenging. Death Stranding 2: On The Beach officially launched today (June 26) after two days of early access, and players are already split over the new mechanic.

One gamer shared a screenshot of their “order failed” screen, and the options they were offered. These include the standard “return to title screen” and “load latest save data” but they were also given the choice to “pretend you won”.

There is a “Pretend you Won” option if you fail at boss fights in DEATH STRANDING 2 pic.twitter.com/tRllo6W8q6

— Pyo 5⃣ (@mrpyo1) June 25, 2025

According to creator Hideo Kojima, if players do select the “pretend you won” option, they will be presented with a text description of the battle alongside relevant images so they don’t miss out on any of the experience.

“I like that games are becoming more accessible. Also, it makes sense because bosses aren’t the main gameplay of Death Stranding,” wrote one fan. “Honestly I love that. I wish more games had it, especially story driven games. What if I don’t wanna get stuck on a boss for 5 hours and I just wanna get back to delivering cargo,” added another.

“Funny but fair fucks, if I was a filthy casual normie who paid full price for a video game and couldn’t finish it I’d be pretty pissed off,” said a third. “Finally. A game designed for people who suck at games as much as I do,” added another.

Finally. A game designed for people who suck at games as much as I do. https://t.co/4RhBLOxd61

— Quid Pro Ho (@_andrewmartin_) June 25, 2025

However other fans are less excited about the “pretend you won” option. “That is hilarious but also no game should ever have skip to combat or a core game mechanic. If someone can’t handle it then they shouldn’t play and that shouldn’t be a divisive thing to say,” wrote one player. “What’s next, pretend you played?” asked another.

Earlier this year, it was reported (via Rolling Stone) that halfway through the development of Death Stranding 2, creator Hideo Kojima approached composer Woodkid and told him they had a problem because “players liked it too much.”

“That means something is wrong; we have to change something,” he added. “If everyone likes it, it means it’s mainstream. It means it’s conventional. It means it’s already pre-digested for people to like it. And I don’t want that.” However, Death Stranding 2: On The Beach already has a Metacritic score of 90, making it one of the best reviewed games of the year.

In other news, Marvel Mystic Mayhem also launched today but fans are already writing off the new mobile game as “trash”.

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