We’re less than a week away from the release of Death Stranding 2: On the Beach. Very exciting, and once we finish our re-play of the first game, we’ll be hoping to dive in.
But, it’s started to occur to me. There’s a very real chance it isn’t able to follow-up on the unique experience of the first game.
Much like my fears for Tears of the Kingdom. Death Stranding is a unique, original and thought-provoking IP. Can anyone repeat that magic?
Think about it. What’s original this time around?
Originality
This will be the kicker for Death Stranding 2. What is it going to do differently?
Quality of life stuff is great. Sure. But in a world so unique, and now well-established. How does a sequel expand upon it without either taking massive leaps or undoing lore?
Returning to the world of Death Stranding will be excellent, for sure. New locales, new environments and biomes. Likely new enemies and better combat. But what makes Death Stranding so memorable, is the world, the story and everyone in it.
Will taking all of that and just adding more, be as good as experiencing the first one for the first time? How can it be? Sure, we’re talking about Hideo Kojima here that made Metal Gar games that only got better and better.
Death Stranding is different, though. What was a story and a world delivered in isolation. When the world had seen nothing like it at all. Is now established, understood and loved.
Will anything in Death Stranding 2 be as original or unique?
Does it matter?
Death Stranding, the world and its inhabitants are all now a story told. A universe understood.
Does it matter if we just get more of that good stuff? You know what? Probably not. I’m certainly after more of it. Will it be original again? Perhaps so.
I just wonder what expectations are when looking at a follow-up to one of the most unique gaming experiences that there is.
I have no doubt it’ll be a good game. If it was just an expansion, I’d be made-up, because I want more of it. But I just don’t know if it’ll quite hit us in the same way.
I referenced Tears of the Kingdom previously. That’s because I had very similar hesitations, that were ultimately destroyed when the game came out.
It isn’t impossible to do a better job. It isn’t impossible to create more unique experiences. Mostly, it doesn’t even matter if it’s good overall.
I can’t see Death Stranding 2 having the same “woah” moments as you take it all in, from a world building perspective. But I have no doubts that the story, the stakes and the world will up the ante in every way.
Death Stranding
To be clear, it’s still exciting and interesting to see what’s coming. I just can’t see it hitting everyone in the same way, because so much is now established, it isn’t new.
There’s a new slew of characters, with no doubt batshit back stories, which will be excellent. I’m certain the game will be asking questions about the world that’s been created. There will be improvements and changes all over the place.
If it’s on par in terms of production and polish. Death Stranding 2 will be a major hit. But if Hideo Kojima can work his magic again, he might be elevate what we all think Death Stranding is, and show us a new perspective.
Here’s hoping it’s excellent!