Kojima on Death Stranding 2: 'Thrilled to Complete the Game'

Video games have long transcended mere action-packed thrill rides, and Hideo Kojima's "Death Stranding" exemplified this shift by exploring the themes of division and connection in a pre-pandemic world. Its highly conceptual narrative and innovative delivery-centered movement mechanics opened up new avenues for gaming experiences. With the sequel, "Death Stranding 2: On the Beach," set to release on June 26, 2025, Kojima delves deeper into the question: "Should we have connected?" As global divisions continue to widen, we sought to understand Kojima's stance on this complex issue in crafting the sequel's story.

The development of "Death Stranding 2" occurred during the unprecedented times of the Covid-19 pandemic, which undoubtedly influenced Kojima's perspective on the concept of "connection." Faced with new challenges in technology, production environments, and the essence of human relationships, Kojima had to reconsider and reconstruct his understanding of connection. How did these factors shape his vision for the game?

In an insightful interview, Kojima discusses his philosophical approach to the game's production. He reflects on elements from the original "Death Stranding" that he chose to leave behind and those he carried forward into the new title. Additionally, he shares his thoughts on contemporary society and how it intertwines with the themes of his games, offering a deeper understanding of the narrative direction of "Death Stranding 2: On the Beach."