Critical Review of Death Stranding 2: Kojima’s Artist Game Turned Blockbuster is Harming It

A Controversial Sequel: Kojima’s Death Stranding 2 and the Legacy of Silent Hills Dispute

Hideo Kojima’s Death Stranding 2 presents a complex experience that, much like its predecessor, has generated strong, divided opinions among players. The sequel introduces significant changes while retaining elements of the original, leading to a contradictory reception upon completion. To understand Kojima’s artistic and technical decisions in Death Stranding 2, it is essential to recall the context of the first installment, launched in 2019. This project marked Kojima’s return after his contentious departure from Konami in 2015, where he served as Vice President. His exit, marked by difficult circumstances, led to the cancellation of major projects, including the highly anticipated Silent Hills, a collaboration with Guillermo del Toro and Norman Reedus. This fallout remains one of the most controversial episodes in Japanese gaming history.

The development of the original Death Stranding was undertaken under tight deadlines, supported by PlayStation and leveraging Guerrilla Games’ Decima Engine for its 3D environment. Creating such a massive open world in a short timeframe was an extraordinary feat, requiring immense skill, resources, and inevitably, some compromises on the depth of the game’s universe. The game’s world featured expansive, often empty, spaces where protagonist Sam Porter Bridges largely journeyed alone in a static environment. This design choice likely facilitated production from both a design and technical standpoint. Kojima transformed these limitations into opportunities, crafting a unique and forward-thinking game primarily through its “FedEx-like” side missions. This risky approach sparked considerable debate among players. The initial concept aimed to deliver an experience centered on themes of loneliness, mourning, and the imperative to mend a fractured world. However, this artistic stance proved divisive for audiences. Commercially, the game did not achieve blockbuster sales figures, moving 5 million copies within months of its PC release. This suggested that despite its artistic strengths, Death Stranding’s debut did not secure the expected commercial triumph given the substantial investment.

With this in mind, the concept for the sequel shifted towards a more approachable, and to some extent, mainstream game. It also aimed to reuse as much existing material as possible to minimize costs and development time. Consequently, Death Stranding 2 emerges as a remarkably similar successor, echoing its predecessor while paradoxically trading some innovation for broader commercial viability. The first game, released in 2019, received acclaim for its storytelling, gameplay, and uniqueness. Despite this, Hideo Kojima opted to create a new plot, adhering closely to the original’s structure. A primary criticism of Death Stranding 2 is its perceived lack of boldness and tendency towards repetition. Both the narrative and gameplay often feel like rehashes, featuring predictable characters and scenarios that can be less engaging than those in the first game. While the original tasked Sam Porter Bridges with reconnecting North America by delivering packages and restoring the Chiral Network—a post-apocalyptic internet—the sequel shifts its setting to Australia and parts of Mexico, with a mission led by Drawbridge and featuring Léa Seydoux’s Fragile.

The first game emphasized human connections, but the sequel, developed during the COVID-19 pandemic, poses an intriguing question: “Was it smart to reconnect?” This thought-provoking query about renewal remains unanswered in the storyline’s progression. Critics note that Kojima did not fully capitalize on this potential, failing to enhance gameplay or deepen Sam’s solitude with new characters or a more gripping plot involving betrayal and conspiracy. To achieve broader public appeal, Death Stranding 2 was designed to be easier and more streamlined. The more demanding aspects of cargo management have been toned down, making Sam Porter’s movement more fluid. The early availability of vehicles significantly accelerates travel, and the introduction of a monorail (unlocked after a few hours) simplifies large-scale deliveries. However, travel still feels somewhat rigid, as players must oversee the entire journey without shortcut options.

The Magellan, the game’s main base, allows Sam Porter to quickly travel to most outposts. This contributes to a quicker travel experience, akin to classic open-world games. However, using the Magellan redirects rewards to Drawbridge, meaning Sam does not gain experience points. While convenient for endgame situations or straightforward deliveries, this prevents direct character progression. Alternatively, a hot springs route offers teleportation for Sam, but not his cargo, presenting a less consistently convenient option. These choices highlight a design of compromise.

Death Stranding 2: Balancing Accessibility and Innovation – Critical Analysis of Its Familiar Tone

In summary, Death Stranding 2 aims for a wider audience by being more accessible. While it offers an intriguing narrative, critics note it suffers from familiarity in setting and repetition, which many find disappointing after the original game’s innovation. The game’s stunning visuals, featuring diverse desert and mountainous landscapes alongside impressive meteorological effects, do not entirely mask the feeling of revisiting a familiar universe. Death Stranding 2 introduces new updates and incorporates player feedback but remains largely in the shadow of its original. While it offers smoother routes for transporting items between outposts and quicker travel options like monorails, the inability to skip these trips maintains realism but can slow down progression. Consequently, delivery missions, while less challenging, also feel less exciting. The game attempts new technology and responds to players but struggles to evolve beyond its predecessor. Kojima’s game, with its themes of connection and existential questions, feels less unique due to predictable storylines and gameplay that lacks evolution. This reflects how, when trying to attract more players, the core essence of the original work can sometimes be diluted. Critiques of Death Stranding 2

Sam Porter Bridges returns in Death Stranding 2 with an expanded arsenal, including assault rifles, shotguns, grenades, and spectral blades. While most of these weapons remain non-lethal, adhering to the original game’s premise that human death results in “erasures,” Death Stranding 2 does not strictly enforce this rule. Players can eliminate numerous enemies without significant repercussions, leading some to suggest that Hideo Kojima has compromised his original principles for mainstream appeal. A notable issue in Death Stranding 2 is the ease of boss fights. They often become mere formalities—protracted, unstrategic, and repetitive. Standard soldiers and spectral mechs exhibit similar combat patterns, which is a considerable letdown given the lack of enemy diversity. Despite introducing new mechanics such as sandstorms and floods, the core gameplay loop largely remains unchanged. This is where Death Stranding 2 falters; the static nature of its systems, coupled with a diminished sense of novelty, results in a repetitive experience. The appeal of revisiting this unique universe is constantly undermined by a feeling of mechanical redundancy.

Critical Analysis: Death Stranding 2’s Narrative Flaws and Character Disappointments

Narratively, the game fares worse. Kojima appears to recycle the structure of the first installment, with similar progression, mission types, and sometimes awkwardly cryptic dialogues. Outposts remain underdeveloped, and secondary characters lack depth, with dialogues often feeling hollow. When the narrative attempts to delve deeper, it frequently falls flat, feeling artificial and incoherent. The pacing is miscalibrated, leading to prolonged periods of stagnation, particularly after the player crosses into Mexico. Players may find themselves undertaking repetitive deliveries without clear purpose, awaiting a plot that never truly takes off. Furthermore, Kojima seems to disrupt his own established world. Driven by a preference for creative freedom over internal consistency, he employs excessive retcons, altering the rules of the universe established in the first game. Higgs, once a compelling antagonist, devolves into a grotesque parody, akin to the Joker in both appearance and behavior. Even Neil, intended as a new narrative pillar, is criticized for unengaging writing and predictable plotlines. The narrative stakes diminish, dialogues extend without substance, revelations become shallow gimmicks, and characters, including Sam Porter, who was once a central figure, appear to stagnate or play reduced roles in their own story.

Death Stranding 2’s Stunning Visuals and Sonic Landscape Amidst Controversial Nostalgia Trips

Death Stranding 2 also features significant tributes to the Metal Gear Solid series. These include intentional callbacks, direct quotes, and an AI inspired by The Phantom Pain. Some interpret these elements, particularly through Neil, a character modeled after Solid Snake, as Kojima’s way of settling scores with Konami, asserting his continued ability to create Metal Gear Solid-caliber experiences. However, for some, at 60 years old, these references appear more like an obsession than a tribute. Despite these criticisms, Death Stranding 2 excels in two key areas: its graphics and soundtrack are exceptional. Technically, the game is polished. Characters are beautifully designed, achieving an almost unsettling realism. The environments, particularly the Australian and Mexican landscapes, are breathtaking and immersive. Performance is consistently smooth, with no slowdowns or frame rate issues, even during intense sequences. The Decima Engine demonstrates its capabilities convincingly. While some suggest the open world could be more dynamic, the visual and audio quality of Death Stranding 2 is widely praised.

The soundtrack for Death Stranding 2, like its predecessor, features a curated selection of music, highlighting Hideo Kojima’s skill in integrating independent artists from around the globe to enhance specific moments. Music cues are strategically placed at key story points, lingering until the next objective, especially during wide camera shots revealing stunning scenery. While French artist Woodkid’s unique score is widely acclaimed, the discovery of Mongolian group Magnolian is a standout, drawing comparisons to Low Roar from the 2019 game.

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