Hideo Kojima, the legendary creator behind Metal Gear and Death Strandingis back in the spotlight with her latest interview discussing her creative approach to Death Stranding 2: On the Beach. In the interview, Kojima said that he is not interested in creating games that are solely aimed at the mass market.
Quoted from EurogamerInstead of following industry trends, Kojima chooses to explore unique and original ideas that may not necessarily appeal to everyone. According to him, a true work of art is one that challenges, encourages discussion, and doesn't always please everyone.
Not a game for everyone, but still popular
Although it is not made for the mainstream market, Death Stranding 2 was met with a very positive response in internal playtesting sessions. Many playtesters reported satisfying and meaningful gaming experiences. Interestingly, Kojima expected more controversy or debate.
"I hope there will be more people who hate it," Kojima said in his interview. For him, mixed reactions indicate that a game has managed to trigger deep thoughts. He believes that works that are 'liked by everyone' run the risk of becoming forgettable.
Gameplay Innovation in Death Stranding 2
In terms of gameplay, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach comes with a number of significant improvements. Kojima introduced new elements that made the experience more dynamic and challenging:
- Natural disasters such as earthquakes and sandstorms will be part of the new challenges that players will have to face.
- New transportation systemThis, like the monorail, will make it easier to deliver goods on a large scale.
- New weapons and loose backpack features gives freedom in battle tactics as well as exploration.
- Social support and asynchronous gameplay is back to reinforce the theme of player connection.
All of these elements are designed to not only expand the game world, but also deepen the narrative meaning that Kojima offers.
Between Idealism and Industry Reality
Although Kojima stated that he was not explicitly pursuing commercial success, he was realistic. He realizes the importance of keeping Kojima Productions afloat, both financially and in terms of its creative team.
Therefore, even though Death Stranding 2 While Kojima's game looks very experimental, he still pays attention to important elements such as production quality, distribution system, and player experience.
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is not just a sequel to the original game released in 2019. It's a reflection of Kojima's creative philosophy of always putting story and experimentation at the forefront. It's not made for everyone, but that's precisely why it's a work to look forward to.
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach will be released on June 26, 2025 exclusively on PlayStation 5. Check out the full release information here: New Trailer and Release Date of Death Stranding 2.
