Kojima Productions' Death Stranding 2 has a big challenge to overcome: topping the original's music. The original Death Stranding was a strong debut from the studio, named after its legendary creator, Hideo Kojima, of Metal Gear Solid fame. A big part of the reason that the first game was so good is that all the different aspects of the experience were cohesive, creating a unique experience that belongs to a genre of its own. While little is known about Death Stranding 2 at this time, one thing is certain: the game will need a strong soundtrack and score to match the original if it hopes to have the same impact on fans.
One of the most memorable moments of Death Stranding is the first time players leave Central Knot City on a mission and "Bones" by Low Roar begins to play. The song's minimal production matches the barren landscape, and the lyrics, which repeat the phrase "I'm a long way from home," are relatable to the player in this place that feels so alien. This is the first of many times that the player will hear Low Roar in the game, and already the band's sound feels central to the game's identity. Ludvig Forssell's score becomes just as integral as the game goes on. Death Stranding's music is as core to the experience as it is excellent.
Death Stranding 2 Needs To Approach Its Music Differently
Death Stranding 2's soundtrack needs to be just as effective in capturing and controlling its tone with music as its predecessor, and doing so will not be easy. While the obvious answer would be to bring Low Roar back, this will not be an option. While Ludvig Forssell is returning to score the game, Low Roar will not be able to reprise their appearance, at least with new music, after Ryan Karazija sadly passed away in 2022 due to medical complications. The result of this is that Death Stranding 2 will have to forge its own path sonically.
While topping the original's soundtrack will be difficult, Kojima Productions could be the perfect studio to make it happen. Death Stranding 2 will feature Elle Fanning, and the previous entry did an excellent job of attracting big stars as well. Kojima Productions has the reputation necessary to court serious talent, and there is no reason this wouldn't extend to the game's music. Since the team could have access to world-class musicians, the quality of the soundtrack and score will not fall to the question of who is making it, but rather or not it stands out from the first and forms its own identity.
How Death Stranding 2's Soundtrack Could Change
While the Death Stranding 2 trailer was filled with some hints, the content of the game and its tone still remains largely a mystery. The trailer ends by questioning "Should We Have Connected?" This indicates that the game could deal more with isolation. While the trailer plays, the viewer can hear "BB's Theme 2022" by Ludvig Forssell and Troy Baker. The song is, like many of those in the first game, minimal and eerie with swelling electronic textures.
In order to top the music in the first game, Death Stranding 2 needs to not only nail the same things the original did, but it also needs to break new ground. Rather than bring in musicians that sound like Low Roar, Kojima Productions needs to find an artist that can capture this new game's tone and themes differently. The music could utilize louder sounds or organic instrumentation such as pianos more often to stand apart sonically from the original. Hopefully, the next trailer will answer of some the questions about Death Stranding 2's gameplay and the music too.
Death Stranding 2 is in development.