Kojima Productions revealed thatDeath Stranding 2is in development, but after the first title’s unique gameplay and eccentric storyline, it is almost impossible to predict what the sequel will bring. All fans have to work off of currently is a few cryptic clues from Hideo Kojima, as well as a brief reveal trailer. The trailer has raised more questions than answers, as it seems thatDeath Stranding 2may be undoing a lot of the themes established by the first game.
Death Strandingwas centered around themes of isolation, and how connections between humans can mend the darkest situations. However, it seems this sequel might be questioning whether connections can lead to more dystopian events. Depending on how the theme is handled, it could cleverly expand the first game’s themes, or it could make them feel irrelevant.
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Death Stranding’s Themes of Connection
Death Strandingis an odd title that seems to defy common gaming conventions. Instead of focusing on action-packed combat, it focuses on traversal through troublesome terrain to make deliveries in aworld overcome by deadly BTs. In doing so, players start connecting with a fragmented society, and the United Cities of America is re-established. Since the game’s release, it found increased relevance as the COVID-19 pandemic put much of society into quarantine. The widespread isolation seemed to mirrorDeath Stranding, making players appreciate how important connections are.
It appears thatDeath Stranding’s sequelwill also focus on connections, though taking on a different tone. The reveal trailer ends with the question, “Should we have connected?” It is a counterintuitive idea that seems to go against everythingDeath Strandingstrove to establish. However, with a creative mind like Kojima working on the game, players could find that the counterintuitive approach ends up being the best one.
What Death Stranding 2 May be Trying to Do
The first game illustrated how connections help build a stronger society, benefiting everyone. This was partially influenced byKojima’s experiences following his departure from Konami, and illustrated how poisonous loneliness and isolation can be when taken to extremes. Nevertheless, there are negative aspects to human connections that may be what drives people to isolation in the first place. With greater connections comes more opportunities for negative influence to spread, as can be seen in real life where the Internet and social media has aided global interconnectivity, but also helped propaganda and extremist ideologies propagate.Death Stranding 2could explore this risk that is an inherent part of increased connections.
Such a game would not need to leave players feeling as though all connections are inherently dangerous. Instead, it could show that all ideas which are seemingly utopian on the surface tend to have complex inner workings, which makes them difficult or even impossible to adequately implement in the real world. Though some ideas may be promoted with the greatest of intentions, they can lead to unintended negative consequences.
Thus far, not much has been revealed about the sequel’s plot, though Kojima mentioned that hereworkedDeath Stranding 2’s story after the COVID-19 pandemic. Fans also know that Elle Fanning’s character will play an important role in the upcoming game, though it is not known who she will be playing. With many mysteries still hovering about,Death Stranding 2can go in several directions. Fans may attempt to make predictions, but it seems a fool’s mission to guess what Kojima Productions has in store.
Death Stranding 2is in development.
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