Summary
Whenever video game maestro Hideo Kojima announces a new project, the internet rumor mill spins into overdrive. It happened with theMetal Gear Solidgames before his acrimonious split with Konami. It happened when he announcedDeath Stranding. And now, it’s happening with its sequel, the aptly namedDeath Stranding 2.
Very little concrete info on the game, expected sometimeduring 2025, has been shown, but Kojima loves to tease his fans. The man is driving everyone crazy with hints that are leading to major speculation. If half of these theories pan out to be true,Death Stranding 2is looking like an exciting step up from the original.
8Nicholas Cage In Death Stranding 2
Just A Tour Or Something More?
In July 2023,Nick Cagemade his first appearance in a video game when he appeared as himself inDead by Daylightas a playable character. Around the same time, Kojima posted a picture of himself posing with the actor beside aDeath Strandingstatue at his Japan-based studio.
Cage was reportedly just touring the studio, but was it really a hint that he’ll be appearing in Death Stranding 2? As theories go, it’s not that far out there. Kojima has a habit of hiring big names for his games, and Cage’s exuberant acting style would fit right in with Kojima’s unique approach to storytelling. Some fans have speculated that Nicholas Cage could be playing a secondary villain alongside Troy Baker’s Higgs in the sequel.
7Elle Fanning Is Playing An Adult Lou
A New Character Or An Old Friend?
In February 2024, Kojima Productions released a State of Playtrailer full of tantalizing clues. Towards the end of this trailer, American film and TV actressElle Fanningis seen in a room with Sam, Fragile, and a doctor, who are all examining the body of a deceased woman found inside a chrysalis.
The scene offers several hints as to how the two women might be connected. Ever since Fanning’s role was announced, fans have speculated that she is playing an adult Lou (Sam’s baby companion from the first game). Kojima is on record as saying he’s a massive fan of the actress and would have had to rework the game considerably if she had declined her mystery role. This suggests Fanning’s character will play a large part in the game’s plot.
6Death Stranding 2 Will Have Timed Exclusivity
It’ll Come To PC, At Some Point
It’s been confirmed that fans can expectDeath Stranding 2to be released on PlayStation 5 at some point during 2025. Unfortunately,no other platforms have been announced, implying the game will be a PlayStation exclusive, at least for a while.
There is hope, however, that the game will eventually come to PC. The original game launched as an exclusive for the PS4 on July 19, 2025, and PC on Jul 29, 2025. The game even appeared on PC Game Pass. This all means there’s a good chance PC gamers will eventually get to playDeath Stranding 2, they may just be waiting a while.
5The Gameplay Will Be More Action-Orientated
No Longer Just A Walking Simulator
Combat wasn’t a major part of the originalDeath Stranding. Instead, the gameplay focused mainly on traversal mechanics and stealth, emphasizing a more pacifist approach. There was combat, especially against BTs, it just wasn’t the game’s bread and butter. Some critics even dubbed the original a “walking simulator.”
Scenes from the sequel’s State of Play trailer, however, have fans speculating that this time around there will bea muchbigger emphasis on combat.In the trailer, Sam is seen walking into a room with plenty of weapons (compared to the original’s meager 4 weapon types). Later on, he’s shown firing at a group of NPCs, while dialog from Higgs implies this time Sam is going to need to use force to complete his mission.
4Is Sam Going To The Moon?
The Final Frontier
A big part of the originalDeath Strandingwas taking Sam from Point A to Point B. In fact, that was pretty much the whole game. Well, some fans think that in the second game Sam will be goingmuch further than ever before.
A piece of text at the end of the game’s trailer thanks NASA for a “CGI Moon Kit.” This has led some internet sleuths to conclude that the game’s protagonistwill be heading to the moonin the sequel. It might sound like a stretch, but going above and beyond expectations is just the kind of thing Kojima is famous for. Plus, his company’s mascot is a spaceman…
3Higgs Will Be A Playable Character
Higgs was one of the most memorable characters inDeath Stranding, which is saying something. For the sequel, he seems to have gone through a bit of a design change, sporting a much more aggressive look and wielding some fancy new abilities. He’s giving off major cyborg ninja vibes fromMetal Gear Solid.
This has led some fans to deduce that this timeHiggs will be playable. It’s just the kind of twist Kojima is famous for - players controlled Raiden, not Snake, for much ofMetal Gear Solid 2, andMetal Gear Solid 5’srug pull is infamous. Maybe players can look forward toplaying as Higgsduring the game’s more action-orientated sections.
2New Settings And A Massive Open World
New Lands To Explore
We already know, thanks to Kojima, thatDeath Standing 2will feature a new setting. He’s already confirmed thatthe game won’t be set in North America,and the images released so far seem to confirm this. We’ve seen a very Icelandic-like setting, as well as a red desert, vast canyons, and even snow-capped mountains.
More excitingly, it looks like we can look forward to traveling through large cities.Death Stranding 2could be about to give gamers one of thebiggest open-world mapsyet. If that isn’t enough, images suggest players will be spending more time indoors. Players spent a lot more time inside inDeath Stranding’sDirectors Cut and trailers for the new game show Fragile sneaking through corridors and vents, indicative of MGS-style stealth gameplay.
1Expect The Unexpected
Not Just Bigger And Better
So far, everything we’ve seen ofDeath Stranding 2suggests it’ll bebigger and better than the original- more guns, more action, a bigger map, an even more convoluted story, etc. It’s all very exciting. The trailers and press releases have also done a good job of confirming, and denying, many of the theories that have been circulating the internet since the game’s announcement way back in 2022.
However, this doesn’t mean Kojima doesn’t have any more tricks left up his sleeve. The opposite is likely true. He’s not a developer known for just doing “bigger and better,” he excels at surprising fans. Until players get their hands on the game in 2025, they really can’t know what to expect. That’s just part of waiting for a Kojima Productions game; there’s always another twist coming.
