Death Stranding is a game that manages to defy all genres and carve its own path. Although many of its elements, including stealth and even the strand-like features, have been found in other games, Hideo Kojima manages to bring them together to craft a unique experience. It appears that he is ready to do it again, as he has been dropping many clues that fans have been interpreting as signs of an incoming Death Stranding sequel.
Kojima's teases confirmed that Elle Fanning will feature in the upcoming game, which is expected to be a PlayStation title. This is not the only thing brewing over at Kojima Productions. In addition to the possible Death Stranding sequel, fans can also look forward to an Xbox game that will utilize Microsoft's cloud technology, as well as a VR game. Developers at Kojima Productions are busy, and it seems like all the upcoming projects will be breaking new ground.
All the Death Stranding 2 Hints
The earliest hint that a Death Stranding sequel may be on the game didn't come from Kojima. Instead, it came from Norman Reedus, who casually mentioned it during an unrelated interview with Leo Edit. According to Reedus, after the game came out and was well-received, they jumped into work on the second game. This suggests that Sam Bridges, who is played by Reedus, will return in the sequel. In response, Kojima sent a joking Tweet telling the actor to go to his Private Room.
More recently, Kojima has been dropping his own hints about a possible Death Stranding sequel. In September, around the time of the Tokyo Game Show, an image featuring the silhouette of a woman's face along with the words "Who Am I?" and the Kojima Productions logo was seen floating around the internet. During the PAX Aus gaming event in October, attendees spotted a QR code that, if scanned, leads to a poster hosted by Kojima Productions. The poster features Elle Fanning's face, along with the words "Where Am I?" and "A Hideo Kojima Game X Elle Fanning."
Later, Kojima Tweeted out both images, along with a cryptic puzzle that appears to suggest that a third image may be on the way. If it follows the established pattern, it will ask another question, and it should appear around the same time as another major gaming event. The next best candidate is The Game Awards, which take place in early December. Many fans are convinced that this will be the event where more is revealed about the Death Stranding sequel, as Kojima is quite fond of making his announcements at events hosted by his good friend Geoff Keighley.
Kojima has continued to stoke Death Stranding 2 rumors on Twitter where, in October, he posted a picture of himself with Eric Lempel and Craig Malanka, who are the top executives of PlayStation's marketing department. Many saw this as a hint that Kojima Productions may be partnering with Sony for something big. Not long after, he posted a picture of himself with the head of PlayStation Studios Hermen Hulst, and with Elle Fanning in a video call. Sleuthing fans noticed that Geoff Keighley was also part of the video call. In both images, he is wearing a shirt that features the same baby doll that often appears in Death Stranding.
To top it off, he also posted an image of him and Sony Interactive Entertainment CEO Jim Ryan. This has only gotten gamers more convinced that Kojima is letting fans know that something Death Stranding related is brewing. Most recently, Kojima posted a Tweet with the words "From 'WHERE' to 'HOW'," along with an image with that one of the cities of Death Stranding might use. The logo vaguely resembles an umbrella, which could also be a reference to Fragile and the Fragile Express delivery company. The mystery goes deeper, as on the first of November, Kojima Productions' site posted an image reading "How Come?" which eventually fades to reveal the face of Japanese actress Shiori Kutsuna, who is best known for her as Yukio in Deadpool 2. Across her face are the words "Where Am I?"
What To Expect From Death Stranding 2
With Kojima being the eccentric creator he is, it is quite difficult to predict what he will do with a Death Stranding sequel. It will likely build on the strand genre and introduce new ways for players to help each other and affect each other's game worlds. If Death StrandingDirector's Cut is anything to go by, gamers may also find that things are a little more fast-paced and action-packed, with less sloughing during the early hours of the game.
According to ResetEra user DuskGolem, who has a good track record, the upcoming game is codenamed Ocean. This suggests that players may encounter new terrain to traverse and that players may be looking at a very wet world. The user also claims that this game is part of Kojima Productions' multi-game deal with Sony. Death Stranding Director's Cut demonstrated just some ways the upcoming game may utilize the DualSense controller's features, including haptic feedback and adaptive triggers. Fans have also begun speculating about what role Fanning might play. Some have suggested that Fanning could play the adult version of Lou, which would be fitting, as the emphasis placed on her suggests she may be a central character of the upcoming game.
A very precise mixture of key elements went toward making Death Stranding the unique title it is. Kojima's ear for music helped craft a masterful soundtrack that accentuates the game's lonely atmosphere. Brilliant graphics give gamers a sense of awe when, at the end of a grueling climb, they can look over the horizon and drink in the gorgeous view. Its multiplayer elements also help gamers remember that they are never truly alone and that the things they do can make the journey easier for other players. For Death Stranding's sequel to be a winner, it will have to capture its predecessor's magic while still presenting new experiences to players. Although it is a tall task, there is perhaps nobody more qualified for it than Kojima.
Death Stranding is available on PC, PS4, and PS5.
