Starting Death Stranding 2: On The Beach can feel overwhelming—carrying heavy cargo, facing tough enemies, and lacking essential gear makes survival difficult. But as you progress, you’ll unlock powerful
APAS Enhancements, permanent upgrades that strengthen Sam and improve your gameplay experience.
This guide explains
how to earn APAS Memory, where to spend it, and the best strategies to maximize your upgrades for a smoother journey across the fractured world of Death Stranding 2.
How to Unlock APAS Enhancements
The
APAS system becomes available after reaching
Australia and meeting a representative from the APAS organization. Once unlocked, you’ll gain access to a skill tree-like upgrade system that enhances Sam’s abilities.
However, to activate these upgrades, you’ll need
APAS Memory, a resource earned by completing deliveries and building relationships with outposts.
Best Ways to Earn APAS Memory
Unlike other resources in Death Stranding 2,
APAS Memory isn’t found in the open world—it’s rewarded through
connection-building. Here’s how to farm it efficiently:
1. Deliver Cargo & Increase Outpost Stars
- Each time you raise an outpost’s star rating, you’ll receive APAS Memory along with new item blueprints.
- Higher star levels grant more memory, so focus on repeated deliveries to the same locations.
2. Prioritize Side Orders Over Main Missions
- While progressing the story is tempting, grinding side deliveries ensures a steady flow of APAS Memory.
- The more you connect outposts to the Chiral Network, the more upgrade opportunities you unlock.
3. Check Rewards in the Upgrade Menu
- After raising an outpost’s star level, check the APAS Enhancement screen to see how much memory you’ve earned.
- Some outposts provide larger rewards, so prioritize those for faster upgrades.
Where to Spend APAS Memory for the Best Upgrades
Once you’ve collected enough APAS Memory, you can spend it on permanent buffs for Sam. Here’s how:
Accessing the APAS Enhancement Screen
There are two ways to open the upgrade menu:
From the Map Screen- Open the map and press the left arrow key (on controller) to find the APAS Enhancement option.
Before Starting an Order- When selecting a delivery route, you’ll see an option to modify APAS upgrades before departure.
How the Upgrade System Works
- The APAS Enhancement screen displays a web of interconnected upgrades.
- You must activate connected nodes starting from the center.
- Each upgrade requires APAS Memory, and some provide stacking bonuses when combined.
Respec & Optimize Your Build
- You can deactivate a single upgrade by pressing X (or equivalent button).
- To reset all upgrades, hold the button for a full respec.
- Since you can change upgrades anytime, adapt them based on your current mission (e.g., combat boosts vs. stamina efficiency).
Best APAS Upgrades to Prioritize
While upgrades depend on playstyle, here are some highly recommended buffs:
✅ Stamina Efficiency – Carry more cargo without tiring as quickly.
✅ Combat Enhancements – Deal more damage against MULEs and BTs.
✅ Balance & Stability – Reduce stumbling on rough terrain.
✅ Chiral Bandwidth Expansion – Build more structures in the open world.
By focusing on these early upgrades, you’ll make traversal and combat much smoother.
Final Tips for Maximizing APAS Upgrades
🔹 Grind deliveries early – The sooner you raise outpost stars, the faster you unlock powerful upgrades.
🔹 Respec frequently – Adjust your APAS setup based on mission requirements.
🔹 Don’t ignore side content – Main story progress is important, but side deliveries provide crucial APAS Memory.
With these strategies, you’ll transform Sam from a vulnerable porter into a resilient survivor, ready to face the dangers of Death Stranding 2: On The Beach.
Platform(s): PlayStation 5 PS5
Genre(s): Action-adventure
Developer(s): Kojima Productions
Publisher(s): Sony Interactive Entertainment
Release date: June 26, 2025
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