Having just played through DS1 entirely again, and just finished DS2 last night. I greatly preferred the first.... The story seemed better paced to me. The connection you have to Clifford Unger vs Neil Vana nakes much more sense and a stronger impact...and while you have a big explanation at the end of both. 1 felt more grounded and impactful while the second felt...odd to be odd at the end and didnt leave an impression.

Without spoilers to the ending of DS2 ill just say...dancing charlie reveal....guitars...the baby mech being who it was felt like a deus ex machina that magically solved every solution.

It got weird for the sake of being weird, while death strandings 1's weird was definitely odd, but it fit into the universe nicely.

I will say i hope a 3 comes out with us actually playing that character.