Death Stranding 2 arrived on PC this week, and while it still serves up Hideo Kojima’s signature story and a strangely satisfying delivery sim, a lot of players had one consistent gripe: the game can feel easy. Vehicles, upgrades, and community-built infrastructure can turn tense runs into casual commutes.
New difficulty for PC: To the Wilder
In response, Kojima Productions added a new difficulty option for the PC release called To the Wilder. The studio developed this mode after hearing player feedback that the game needed a tougher edge.
What changes in To the Wilder
- Timefall is harsher. The weather that ages and damages equipment affects things more noticeably in this mode.
- Resource management matters more. You can no longer treat supplies as optional; they become central to survival and success.
- Planning is required. Players will need to consider loadouts and tools before rushing into missions.
According to the developers, these adjustments push the game toward a more demanding experience. Instead of relying on conveniences and shared player resources, To the Wilder encourages careful decision making and experimentation with gear combinations that might have been irrelevant on lower settings.
Developers tested it from start to finish
The team at Kojima Productions said they played through To the Wilder from beginning to end while making the mode. They also mentioned there are some items that are essentially required to unlock if you want to get through the campaign on this setting. The studio declined to give specific examples, preferring that players discover the limits themselves.
If you felt Death Stranding 2 was too forgiving, To the Wilder is their answer: tougher Timefall, stricter resource rules, and a nudge to plan every move. For delivery sim purists who like their routes risky, this should be more satisfying than the standard options.
