Hideo Kojima Stays Up Over Death Stranding 2 Praise

Positive reviews for Death Stranding 2 are giving Hideo Kojima pause. Discover why the director is uneasy about the early acclaim and what his long-term vision is for his studio.

Early Acclaim for Death Stranding 2 Leaves Hideo Kojima Uneasy

Kojima Fears DS2 Could Become Just Another "Blockbuster"

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach (DS2) has garnered widespread praise, a reaction that surprisingly troubles its director, Hideo Kojima. In a June 12 video interview with Game Informer, he shared his complex feelings about the game's positive early reception.

Kojima's ambition is to create work that endures for decades. Historically, he notes, truly important art is often met with a mixed or negative response at first. He explained, "Anything that lasts 10 or 20 years has to be innovative. Most such works aren't immediately well-received. They persist for 20 or 30 years, and only then do people look back and say, 'This is a masterpiece.'"

This philosophy guided the creation of the first Death Stranding, a game he compares to the slow-burn legacy of Metal Gear, which took roughly a decade to be fully appreciated. In contrast, DS2's overwhelmingly positive initial feedback has him concerned.

"When I tested Death Stranding 2, it wasn't like that. Everyone enjoyed it. That made me think, 'Maybe this is a problem.' It was more favorably received than I anticipated, whereas opinions on the first Death Stranding were always a mix of pros and cons," Kojima stated. His worry is that DS2 might simply become another piece of "blockbuster entertainment" that fades from public memory over time.

While he acknowledges that DS2 deserves praise for building on its predecessor's success, Kojima's ultimate dream is to cultivate a dedicated group of followers who will themselves become the creators of tomorrow.

Kojima Aims to Ignite Creativity, Not Pass the "Baton"

Regarding his creative legacy, Kojima has no desire for others to merely mimic his style. In a June 10 interview with GQ Magazine, he explicitly ruled out the idea of "passing the baton" to a successor.

He elaborated, "I'm not going to pass the baton to anyone. I'd rather break it. There's no need to hand over 'Hideo Kojima' to someone else. If I simply passed my methods to my staff and told them to replicate my work, the company would fail and go out of business." Instead, Kojima wishes to spark a creative fire in others, inspiring them to forge their own artistic paths rather than imitate his.

Nevertheless, he has taken practical steps to ensure his studio's survival. As reported by VGC on May 15, Kojima revealed in the latest Edge Magazine that he has given his staff a USB drive containing a trove of his video game concepts, to be used in the event of his death.

This decision stemmed from a serious illness he suffered during the pandemic, coupled with approaching his 60s, which prompted him to reevaluate his priorities and secure Kojima Productions' future.

"I gave my assistant a USB stick with all my ideas, almost like a will. Perhaps they could continue creating after I'm gone... My fear is, what becomes of Kojima Productions without me? I don't want them to just manage existing intellectual property," he said.

Fans can rest assured, however, that Kojima is far from finished. He is deeply involved with the upcoming release of DS2, as well as other projects like PHYSINT with PlayStation and OD with Xbox.

New Death Stranding 2 Trailer Showcases Core Tenets: Explore, Connect, Survive

Following DS2's gameplay reveal at the June 8 PlayStation State of Play, a new three-minute trailer has been released. The trailer highlights the game's expanded features, reinforcing its core mission to "Explore. Connect. Survive."

While retaining the deep, intricate narrative of the first game, DS2 promises more intense action sequences and greater freedom in tackling enemies. With a wider array of environmental hazards and dynamic landscapes, players must constantly adapt their strategies to succeed.

Kojima is currently embarking on the Death Stranding World Tour 2, visiting 12 global locations to celebrate the game's launch. Death Stranding 2: On The Beach is scheduled for release on PlayStation 5 on June 26, 2025. For the latest updates on the game, explore our dedicated article below.