It's still a long way off, but Death Stranding 2 is on its way. Currently operating under the title DS2, this game is the sequel to the hit Kojima Productions title released in 2019. That's all that can be said for sure regarding Death Stranding 2 right now, as Kojima is once again taking the approach of previewing the game through CG trailers. Only one trailer has been released, and while fans can glean some details from it like the return of an older Sam Porter Bridges, many things will remain mysterious until after the game is released.
Death Stranding's slightly fantastical and futuristic world looks to become even denser with oddities now that its basic formula has been established. Not only will the new adventure likely contain the previous assortment of rival organizations, terrorists, and ghosts, DS2 could also contain interplanetary or interdimensional travel, cults, and giant robots. Some of this is guesswork, but at least one massive, manned machine rose into view during the teased trailer. Right now, the biggest questions regarding it are how many of these will be present, and whether the player will get to take full advantage of them.
Giant Robots Open a World of Possibilities for Death Stranding 2
Even though it's on-screen for less than a minute, there is a fair amount of information that can be gleaned about this large vehicle. It is owned and presumably operated by members of Drawbridge, an organization facilitating connections and protection for humanity in the Death Stranding world. This colossal metal beast looks to be capable of both, as it appears to be using the oily realm of the Beached Things to warp between bodies of water. When it emerges, it does so in its entirety, appearing to float several meters above the water.
Humanity was advanced in Death Stranding 1, but this is a whole new level of technology. The machine does need to be operated by a crew, which Fragile implies to belong to her. In this way, Fragile could still enable fast travel between Sam's resting points, but using vessels like these instead of her own powers. These submersible crafts could also serve as mobile bases for Sam, but it's too early to say for sure. At any rate, the player will almost certainly board and make use of at least one giant machine, but how much use is another matter entirely.
Players Should Get Full Use Out Of Death Stranding 2's Machines
Hideo Kojima is no stranger to introducing giant robots to his work, although it sounds like Death Stranding 2's biggest machines will require more operators than his past mecha. Kojima's famous Metal Gear series is named after an in-universe line of machines, and a variety of piloted and automated ones have been introduced. Of these, only Metal Gear Rex was directly playable, and just for a setpiece late in Metal Gear Solid 4. Based on how Metal Gear used its giant robots, it feels inevitable that the Death Stranding protagonist -- possibly still Sam -- will have to fight at least one in addition to the giant BTs and the occasional human-sized foe.
However, Sam has a considerably different relationship to vehicles than Metal Gear's protagonists did. Death Stranding players will be well acquainted with automated methods of travel in their long delivery journeys, and Death Stranding 2's robots could be used in the same way. It's possible for Sam to take over the piloting or weapons systems of one of these metal hulks. Using one, DS2 players may explore an ocean of oil or repel enemies. Metal Gear held out on players getting some time in the cockpit, but Death Stranding 2 could set up multiple stretches where Sam has personal access to this level of firepower. Anything could happen, and hopefully it will make for a great time.
Death Stranding 2 is in development for PS5.
