Death Stranding 2: Unveiling the Epic Show, Thrilling Gamers Worldwide!

Highlights

Death Stranding 2 should focus more on showing the story rather than telling it through exposition-heavy storytelling.

To delve deeper into pivotal moments and characters in the Death Stranding narrative, it is essential to shift focus away from the main character.

By incorporating retrieved journals and letters, we can gain fascinating perspectives on secondary characters, creating a compelling storytelling technique.

The original Death Stranding's atmosphere and world are standout features of the game, but the storytelling, which relies heavily on exposition, could be improved in Death Stranding 2. By focusing less on revealing the secrets of the past and instead highlighting the present storyline and future outlook, the Death Stranding story can be shown rather than simply told.

One major enhancement that both the original game and Death Stranding 2 could benefit from is a reimagined version of Amelie's extensive monologue on the beach. However, this is just one example of the many moments that would be more impactful if they were visually presented, allowing for a deeper exploration of the Death Stranding storyline and lore beyond Sam's perspective.

Pulling the Perspective Away in Death Stranding 2

In one of its most compelling cutscenes, the original Death Stranding showcases the story of Fragile and her struggles, specifically when she gets drenched in Timefall. This scene also highlights the power of the secondary antagonist, Higgs. Fragile's moral stance is revealed as she willingly runs through Timefall to save South Knot City, despite later regretting her decision.

To enhance the themes in Death Stranding 2, it is necessary to shift focus from the perspective character and delve into other characters' stories firsthand. This is evident in moments where Deadman explores the nightmares without Sam, and through clips of backstory from the perspectives of Mama and Heartman. However, even in these instances, there are moments where a character monologues their past to Sam, requiring the player to patiently listen along.

With the multitude of characters possessing intricate backstories that players are meant to follow, these flashback scenes serve as a superior method for conveying information compared to a mere handful of lines. While Kojima Productions has already proven their ability in executing this technique, the challenge lies in the expansive world of Death Stranding. Given the vast ensemble cast in Death Stranding 2, providing each character with fully realized flashbacks would be expensive and potentially lengthen the overall runtime. Alternatively, employing a different form of perspective exchange could potentially narrate the tales of these characters.

More Recovered Journals and Letters, and Less Direct Reports to Sam

An additional standout aspect of Death Stranding was its exceptional storytelling, which was effectively delivered through various means such as messages and journal entries sent to Sam or found in data drives. One particularly noteworthy narrative unfolded through the journal entries of Lucy Strand, Sam's late first wife who tragically passed away while carrying their unborn child. By exploring her personal notes and intimate journal entries, players gradually uncover the truth behind Lucy's fate and are subtly introduced to the possibility that the BB, known as Lou, whom they guide throughout Death Stranding, may in fact be their own offspring.

While not as exhilarating as Kojima Productions' renowned cinematic cutscenes, these offer a captivating means of delving into the lesser-known characters who don't significantly influence the main storyline. These journals prove far more compelling than receiving an email from the Chiral Artist, detailing her tumultuous connection with the Junk Dealer. Thus, Death Stranding 2 has the potential to answer inquiries using a method that already proved successful in the preceding game. Currently, Kojima Productions is actively developing Death Stranding 2.