Hideo Kojima Unveils Emotional, Expanded 'Death Stranding 2' Sequel

Three months ago, Japanese game designer Hideo Kojima unveiled the latest installment in the 'Death Stranding' franchise, 'Death Stranding 2: On the Beach.' The sequel, set 11 months after the events of the original game, follows a new protagonist, Sam Bridges, as he traverses a post-apocalyptic Australia and connects survivors to the Chiral network.

Kojima explained that the game's development was influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic, as he rethought the notion of human connection. "In the 2000s, the internet became a normal thing, and we could now be connected in real time, anywhere, everywhere, and that connection was supposed to be a strength, but social media went in a different way," he said. 'Death Stranding 2' aims to explore a "loose connection" that is not about "headshots and shooting each other."

The game's art director and character designer, Yoji Shinkawa, also discussed his collaborative process with Kojima, noting that the director's initial word or "strange wording" provides the creative direction for his conceptual art. One of Kojima's favorite characters in the sequel is Fragile, played by Léa Seydoux, whom he describes as a "hidden main character" with exceptional acting and character development.

Composer Woodkid also played a significant role in the game's soundtrack, working closely with Kojima to create music that complements the emotional depth of the story and characters.