Discover the self-referential Easter eggs in Death Stranding 2 that even the developers found cringeworthy, and learn how the sequel transforms its protagonist's world.

Unveiling Death Stranding 2's Easter Eggs and Storyline

Hideo Kojima's Personal Easter Eggs Spark Cringe Reactions

Death Stranding 2 surprises players with numerous cameos and Easter eggs, including several personal touches from director Hideo Kojima that might make players cringe. In a June 26 interview with GameSpark, Kojima shared that his team was reluctant to include these references.

As the visionary behind the series, Kojima's influence permeates DS2, seen in details like featuring his favorite VTuber Usada Pekora as a Prepper character. He also included other personal elements, acknowledging they might cause secondhand embarrassment.

Kojima has a track record of inserting himself into his games. He made multiple appearances throughout the Metal Gear series - as a ghostly presence in Metal Gear Solid, through a portrait in Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes, and as an operative in Metal Gear Solid: Ground Zeroes, among others.

When requesting his team to add these personal references to DS2, staff would often jokingly respond "Huh?" as if they couldn't believe what they were hearing. Kojima also teased players: "If you gaze at the night sky from the hot spring, you'll see a beautiful view. Zoom in there to discover various surprises - have fun exploring."

Within the first week of release, fans have already spotted numerous celebrity appearances beyond the main cast, including Ghost in the Shell director Mamoru Oshii as The Pizza Chef and Train to Busan actor Ma Dong-seok as Samson Hook. Kojima likely has more hidden surprises waiting to be discovered.

Exploring "Loneliness Within Community"

Beyond celebrity cameos and Easter eggs, DS2 introduces a new narrative direction reflecting protagonist Sam Porter Bridges' changed circumstances. Unlike the solitary journey of the first game, Sam now returns to a mothership called "Magellan," enabling deeper character interactions and relationship building.

Kojima noted that while technical limitations restricted gatherings to 3-4 characters in the original Death Stranding, the sequel allows 5-6 characters together, creating more opportunities for dramatic storytelling.

"Creating a shared living space with diverse characters introduces complex human dynamics. I'm exploring a new form of loneliness that emerges within groups - the tension of disagreements and conflicts among people," Kojima explained.

Death Stranding 2's Launch Day Trailer

Coinciding with the June 26 release, PlayStation unveiled a final trailer showcasing the game's essence. The video opens with Sam interacting with BB-28 against the nostalgic backdrop of "Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head."

The trailer highlights the game's narrative depth and diverse gameplay elements, emphasizing Kojima's distinctive creative vision. It also introduces the star-studded cast featuring Norman Reedus, Lea Seydoux, Elle Fanning, Troy Baker, and Luca Marinelli, among others.

Despite Kojima's initial concerns about the game's mainstream appeal and reviews, he expressed great satisfaction with DS2's launch. Death Stranding 2: On The Beach is now available for PlayStation 5. For ongoing updates, check our comprehensive Death Stranding 2: On The Beach coverage below!