Death Stranding 2, according to Hideo Kojima, brims with strategic covert operations, causing concern amongst his own team that it might veer too close to the plotline of Metal Gear.

Death Stranding 2, according to Hideo Kojima, brims with strategic covert operations, causing concern amongst his own team that it might veer too close to the plotline of Metal Gear.

Title: Death Stranding 2 - A Return to the Past, or a Step Forward? 📜🎮

Hey folks, let's dive into Hideo Kojima's latest scoop with IGN about Death Stranding 2, hitting PlayStation 5 in June! Here's hoping it won't take another eight months to make it to PC!

In this juicy chat, Kojima just can't help comparing Death Stranding 2 to good ol' Metal Gear. You know, the franchise that made him a legend. And let's face it, it feels like Kojima's comfy with his legacy now, even sneaking in some Metal Gear references without official ties.

You might have noticed this in the a-maaazing 10-minute long trailer we got in March, where new character Neil donned an updated version of Snake's bandana-tying, and a mech that looked suspiciously like Metal Gear Rex. No big deal, eh? Just some casual stealing of iconic Metal Gear elements! 💁‍♂️

Now, Metal Gear is still owned by Konami, so these references aren't official, but it sure feels like Kojima is embracing his past work more confidently. If you remember, back then, he even delayed the weapons introduction in Death Stranding to prevent players from running around guns blazing,mirroring his design choices in the original Metal Gear Solid.

"I'd like to ask you to think back to the beginning of Metal Gear Solid," Kojima told IGN. "No weapons appear at first, and you only acquire them after going up the elevator. Placing weapons at the very start will cause players to pick them up and start killing enemies, so we consciously decided to not do that. But that part turned out to be unpopular, with some people saying they couldn't get up the elevator."

Nice throwback, right? Now, Death Stranding 2 is all about providing players more freedom to fight, but Kojima assures us it's not some Metal Gear resurgence. "It's not that I'm simply pushing combat," says Kojima. "The game is still fundamentally about cargo delivery, but combat has become more flexible."

On a different note, let's talk about the world expanse. Kojima brings up the day and night cycle, reminiscing about bygone times from Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain. He wants to include proper day/night transitions in Death Stranding 2's open world, whereas time modifications in The Phantom Pain were based on the epoch of the game's timeline.

"We included the option to go to bed and wait for the morning before leaving," finishes Kojima. "This is something we've been sure to include because I imagine there will be players that don't want to travel at night."

One thing I found intriguing is Kojima's focus on a more natural time progression system, like going back to bed in a private room after waking up once. I must admit, the Phantom Cigar's "woooah-oooh" music and fast-forward effects always brought a smile to my face, but it's great to know we'll have some control over our actions in Death Stranding 2!Lastly, let's talk combat. Kojima assures us it's not an all-out Metal Gear fest, but there's a heavier emphasis on combat this time around. As one of the game designers worked on the Metal Gear series, Kojima's team sought to create more enjoyable combat. He added that while stealth is still an essential element, it won't force players into stealth-only gameplay ("I don't even use stealth myself," Kojima quipped).

So, here's to another exciting Kojima adventure! Whether you're a fan of the Metal Gear series or Death Stranding, Death Stranding 2 looks set to deliver another unique and engaging experience. Can't wait to see how this merges the best of both worlds!🎮✨✨

1. Hideo Kojima shared his insights about Death Stranding 2, stating that it won't be a simple revival of the Metal Gear series, although it features elements reminiscent of the titan mech, Metal Gear Rex.
2. Kojima discussed the game's improved combat system, which adds gadgets and technology to enhance the player's experience, a departure from the initial Death Stranding's focus on cargo delivery.
3. In the 10-minute trailer for Death Stranding 2, new character Neil was seen wearing an updated version of Snake's iconic bandana, adding to the collection of unofficial Metal Gear references in the game.
4. Kojima recalled his design choices in the original Metal Gear Solid, such as delaying the introduction of weapons to discourage players from over-relying on them, a practice that is echoed in Death Stranding 2's approach to combat.
5. The day and night cycle in Death Stranding 2's open world is inspired by Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain, with Kojima aiming for a more natural progression of time, allowing players to rest in private rooms and wake up at their own pace.
6. Despite the increase in combat emphasis, stealth in Death Stranding 2 won't force players into exclusively stealth-based gameplay, according to Kojima, who jokingly mentioned that he himself doesn't even use stealth.
7. With the official release of Death Stranding 2 in June 2025, movie and TV enthusiasts eagerly anticipate another unique and engaging adventure from Hideo Kojima, blending the best aspects of the Metal Gear series and Death Stranding.

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