Death Stranding 2’s Scoring Well With Test Reviewers, But Kojima Isn’t Satisfied

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Initially, Death Stranding sparked mixed reactions upon its debut, but the anticipation for its sequel, Death Stranding: On the Beach, has garnered generally favorable previews and early reviews. In a recent conversation, game director Hideo Kojima expressed joy over the positive response to the sequel but also shared his feelings of being torn about it.

In a conversation with Edge Magazine (via VGC), Kojima expressed his satisfaction but also shared a desire for something more provocative. He mentioned that just as blockbuster movies require an 80% approval rating, he doesn’t want to create games in the same vein. Instead, he’s not drawn to appealing to the masses or selling huge quantities. Rather, his focus lies elsewhere.

Kojima admitted there’s a conundrum with this strategy: while he isn’t targeting a large gaming audience with Death Stranding 2, it still needs to sell well enough to keep Kojima Productions running and pay the team. On the bright side, mixed reviews can offer constructive criticism that Kojima can use to make improvements in the game and potential sequels. However, he insists that the themes and story won’t be changed based on player feedback.

Director’s Cut enhances the original game by introducing new content and user-friendly adjustments while preserving its narrative. Similarly, Death Stranding 2 seems to have paid attention to player feedback, as it appears to be moving towards a more action-oriented style to attract a wider range of gamers.

In Dan Ryckert’s TopMob’s Death Stranding 2 preview, he mentioned that after learning to play it like a stealth-action game, his experience significantly enhanced and he eagerly anticipated encampments of enemies. Similar to the original game, it offers a calming, introspective experience during its peaceful moments as you explore the environment. However, when the game decides to get intense, it certainly doesn’t shy away from doing so.

In an update, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is set to release on June 24 exclusively for PS5. If you want to elevate your gaming experience, consider pre-ordering a special edition DualSense controller, designed with Death Stranding 2 in mind. Hints about a potential Death Stranding 3 have been dropped by Kojima, but he’s open to handing over the development responsibilities for the possible sequel to another creative team.

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2025-05-15 16:12