Kojima Stays Up Over Death Stranding 2's Praise

The overwhelmingly positive response to Death Stranding 2 has left Hideo Kojima feeling unsettled. Discover why the director is troubled by the game's early acclaim and what his future vision is for his studio.

Hideo Kojima is Concerned by Death Stranding 2's Early Acclaim

Kojima's Fear That DS2 Could End Up as Just Another "Blockbuster"

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach (DS2) has received universal praise, a reaction that has director Hideo Kojima concerned. Speaking with Game Informer on June 12, he shared his thoughts on the game's warm early reception and why it troubles him.

Kojima aims to create experiences that stand the test of time. Historically, he notes, truly groundbreaking art often receives a mixed initial response before being recognized as important years later. He explained, "Anything that lasts 10 years, 20 years, it has to be new. And most of those are not received well at the start. That exists for 20 or 30 years, and then looked back [on], with people saying ‘This is great.’"

This philosophy guided his work on the first Death Stranding. He reflected that even the groundbreaking Metal Gear took nearly a decade to be widely appreciated. In contrast, the immediate positive reception for DS2 makes him worry that it might not achieve the same long-term cultural significance.

"So for Death Stranding 2, when I tested it, it wasn’t like that. Everyone liked it. That’s why I said, ‘Maybe this is a problem’. It was more [liked] than my prediction because in Death Stranding, everyone had pros and cons," Kojima stated. His concern is that DS2 might simply become another piece of "blockbuster entertainment" that is ultimately forgotten.

While he acknowledges that the sequel deserves praise for building on the original's foundation, his ultimate dream is to cultivate a new generation of creators, inspiring them through his work.

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

When it comes to his legacy, Kojima has no interest in having others simply imitate his style. In a June 10 interview with GQ Magazine, he clarified that he does not plan on "passing the baton" to a successor.

"I am not going to pass the baton to anyone. I will rather crush the baton… [Laughs.] I don’t need to give ‘Hideo Kojima’ to anyone. If I pass the baton to my staff and tell them to make things the same way I do, the company will not succeed and will go out of business," he elaborated. His goal is to ignite a creative spark in others, encouraging them to find their own artistic voice rather than copying his.

Despite this, he has taken practical steps to ensure his studio's survival. As VGC reported on May 15, Kojima revealed in the latest issue of Edge Magazine that he has given his staff a USB drive containing his game concepts, a resource they can use if he is no longer able to lead.

This decision was prompted by a serious illness he experienced during the pandemic and a reevaluation of his priorities as he approaches 60. He is determined to secure the future of Kojima Productions.

"I gave a USB stick with all my ideas on it to my personal assistant, kind of like a will. Perhaps they could continue to make things after I’m gone at Kojima Productions… This is a fear for me: what happens to Kojima Productions after I’m gone? I don’t want them to just manage our existing IP," he said.

Fans, however, need not be concerned about his immediate plans. Kojima remains deeply involved with the upcoming release of DS2, alongside other projects like Physint with PlayStation and OD with Xbox.

New Death Stranding 2 Trailer Focuses on Core Principles: Explore, Connect, Survive

Following DS2's gameplay debut at the Game Premier event on June 8, the developers have released a new trailer for the highly anticipated sequel. The three-minute video highlights the game's features, distilling its core concept into three words: "Explore. Connect. Survive."

The sequel maintains the deep, complex narrative of the original while introducing more dynamic action sequences and strategic options for engaging enemies. With increasingly varied environments and shifting terrain, players must constantly adapt to overcome new challenges and achieve their goals.

Kojima is currently embarking on the Death Stranding World Tour 2, a global journey across 12 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 most current news and details, be sure to read our dedicated article on the game below!