Death Stranding 2: The Ultimate Boss Battle

The Death Stranding games are undeniably bizarre, with trailers that are misleading and vague, and a gameplay experience that requires extensive exposition via cutscenes, dialogue, and in-game text. Even after completing the first game, there are still numerous unexplained events that leave players clamoring for a sequel to shed light on the mysteries. However, it is precisely this strangeness that makes the franchise so alluring to some fans. With the freedom to be as weird as they desire, Hideo Kojima and Kojima Productions have created a shared world where players can collaborate and explore, and a game that delights in surprising its audience, such as when Norman Reedus' character Sam Bridges explores his Private Room. Nonetheless, Death Stranding 2 must deliver an exceptional boss fight to surpass the first game.

The Boss Fight Against Higgs Is The Epitome Of Death Stranding's Strangeness

In Edge Knot City, Sam finally comes face to face with Higgs after overcoming multiple obstacles and defeating a massive humanoid BT. Players are eager to take down the troublesome ex-porter and unleash their full arsenal on the Troy Baker lookalike. However, in all three stages of the boss fight, players are forced to rely solely on their trusty Strand rope as their weapons are taken away. The first stage is reminiscent of the stealth sections in the Metal Gear franchise. Players must use scattered cargo to distract Higgs and bind him with the rope, allowing them to kick him multiple times while he struggles to break free. This tactic is repeated until the boss progresses to the second stage of the fight.

In the second part of the boss fight, Sam channels his inner Snake and engages in close-quarters combat using his CQC skills. Armed with his trusty Strand rope, Sam must deftly parry Higgs' new knife attacks. Fortunately, Death Stranding's generous parry windows and slow-motion assist feature make this section of the fight much more manageable than the first.

Moving on to the third and final part of the battle, Sam and Higgs engage in a one-on-one brawl. This section of the game takes on the perspective of a 2D fighting game, complete with assigned life bars and movesets for both characters. While not as challenging as traditional fighting games like Tekken or Street Fighter, players must still be mindful of techniques such as blocking and attack spamming to come out on top.

Death Stranding 2 Needs To Match Or Outdo This Level Of Weird

The battle against Higgs in Death Stranding is a memorable experience, with the three-part fight offering a unique twist on the game's mechanics. While the first two stages are more straightforward, the unexpected 2D fighting game scuffle against Higgs provides a cathartic moment for players who are able to defeat him three times. The final fight, which zooms in on the battered and bruised faces of Sam and Higgs, allows players to feel the damage they take and inflict. With Higgs set to return in Death Stranding 2, it would be exciting to see new and creative ways for players to defeat him, such as incorporating bullet-hell segments or Easter egg references from other games. As we eagerly await news on the sequel, Hideo Kojima has the opportunity to surprise and subvert player expectations once again.

Death Stranding 2 is now in development for PS5.