Death Stranding 2: On the Beach – 10 New Details You Should Know

As a seasoned gamer with over three decades of experience under my belt, I must say that the latest tidbits about Death Stranding 2 have me positively thrilled! The return of Heartman and his new exoskeleton is an intriguing twist to the storyline, and I can’t help but wonder what new mysteries await us on the Upper Beach.

At this year’s Tokyo Game Show, Kojima Productions hosted a Special Stage event for their upcoming sequel to Death Stranding, titled “Death Stranding 2: On the Beach.” Although we didn’t get to see exploration, combat, or stealth gameplay, the 90-minute panel shared valuable insights about the game, such as introducing both familiar and new characters.

Just like every project Hideo Kojima is involved in, there were numerous subtle hints and clues that could help unravel the storyline. Let’s explore ten significant revelations from the event, and here’s what fans can anticipate when it releases next year. Proceed with caution if you don’t want minor spoilers for the initial game.

Tarman

Though we’ve seen him before, we finally learned more about Tarman, voiced by Marty Rhone and portrayed by George Miller of Mad Max fame. He’s not only a doctor (as seen when working with Fragile in a previous trailer), but also a geophysicist and the pilot and captain of the DHV Magellan. Furthermore, just like Fragile and Sam, he suffers from DOOMS (level currently unknown). How exactly he’s manipulating the Tar – if that’s what he’s doing – is a mystery. However, a tar cat perches on Tarman’s shoulder, which is somewhat cute.

Traveling Through the Tar With the Magellan

In the initial game, Tar appeared more often when Sam was trying to flee or fight Beached Creatures. But the DHV Magellan’s navigation console provides a direct link to this entity, enabling the ship to glide through waterways, hovering just under the Earth’s surface. Despite its usefulness, there’s a catch – the crew is exposed to Chiralium.

Is it possible that prolonged contact with this substance could lead to Chiralium pollution? This may be a concern for characters other than DOOMS sufferers such as Fragile, Sam, and Tarman. For instance, Ellie Fanning’s character appears in some images to stay away from the helm, possibly to prevent contamination, although there might be alternative methods to handle it. It’s uncertain, but it’s worth keeping in mind.

As a gamer, I’m always on the lookout for new adventures in this virtual world, and Tar, being likened to the beach, certainly seems like an intriguing place to explore. Could Magellan stumble upon unique spots while journeying through it or maybe even cross paths with BTs? The possibilities are endless, and I can’t wait to see what surprises await us!

Dollman

It’s not common for Chiralium Contamination to impact puppets, especially one like Dollman. In the upcoming sequel, Dollman is voiced by Jonathan Roumie and played by Fatih Akin as a second new character. We learn that Dollman was once a mystic who got stuck in his current form and lost his powers. While details about his past are unclear, he joins Sam on their adventures and has an encounter with Higgs, which is hinted at in the previous trailer. From his reaction, it seems that Dollman isn’t fond of Higgs, as he contorts his face into frightening shapes when they meet.

Tomorrow

At the Tokyo Game Show Special Stage event, we got our initial glimpse of Tomorrow, who’s brought to life and voiced by Ellie Fanning. Her character originates from the realm of the dead as suggested in Dollman. Reminiscent of Episode 15’s title from the first game, “Tomorrow is in your hands”, some fans speculate that she might be an adult version of Lou. The question remains, how did Tomorrow manage to break free from the world of the dead? Could it possibly be connected to Higgs’ return?

Rainy

In the latest cast addition, we meet Rainy, played by Shioli Kutsuna. Besides her pregnancy, there’s not much known about her character yet. When she sings “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head” alongside Tomorrow, Sam, and Dollman, it brings to mind the Timefall – rain that accelerates aging. It seems plausible that Rainy shares some connection with this anomaly through her name, despite its sunnier connotation. The identity of the child’s father is another mystery, much like other elements in Kojima’s work; we’ll only discover the truth as it unfolds.

Heartman Returns

One intriguing twist from the unveiling is that Heartman makes his comeback, this time adorning heart-shaped spectacles. What else could one wish for? Previously, actor Darren Jacobs hinted he wouldn’t be part of the sequel, but it appears this was a red herring, as he reappears alongside Nicolas Winding Refn, who contributes his likeness to the character. This installment showcases Heartman with a backup team – essentially an exoskeleton that enables him to stand while “dying,” remaining in a secure state before being revived again.

Previously, Heartman ceased visiting the Beach, but now he’s talking about a viewpoint above the Beach and offering coordinates, suggesting a possible reason for his return. It’s also clear that it’s been a while since he last met Dollman.

Photo Shoot Event

In the peculiar occurrence within Death Stranding 2 titled “Photo Shoot,” character Sam uses a Polaroid-like camera to snap pictures of Fragile, Rainy, and Tomorrow at distinct locations. They’re simply striking poses and enjoying some Cryptobiote stuffed toys. Although it appears to be mere amusement, creator Kojima hinted that it could influence the plot. The quality of the animation, lighting, and shadows in this Photo Shoot is truly exceptional.

Separate Photo Mode Confirmed

Absolutely, the game will feature a standard Photo Mode, which is exciting since the previous installment didn’t get it until several months after release as a post-launch update. More specifics haven’t been disclosed yet, but there are pictures showing Sam and Dollman with Tomorrow, Fragile, and Rainy, which might be related to the Photo Shoot event.

“Horizon Dreamer” and the Dancing Dollman

At a Private Room, performing a specific action will bring about an event featuring Dollman and singer Daichi Miura. In this scenario, a group of Dollman will appear behind the singer, synchronizing their dance moves to the rhythm of “Horizon Dreamer.” Notably, this song was crafted exclusively for Death Stranding 2 and is currently accessible on various streaming platforms. Although its role in the game might seem enigmatic given other elements, it can be seen as an enjoyable interlude, if nothing else.

Release Date Announcement in 2025

Eventually, you might find yourself questioning: When can we expect it? Director Hideo Kojima clarified this point, explaining through Gematsu’s translation, “Although we haven’t publicly announced a release date, one has indeed been determined. Our plans are in place. Despite the production moving forward towards that goal, there could be factors that influence the timing of the release.

Although the specific release date hasn’t been disclosed yet, Kojima emphasized that the project is still scheduled for 2025. He also hinted that a definite date would be revealed sometime in the next year. Back in March, Kojima mentioned that the filming and recording stages were completed, and the production is now in the fine-tuning stage. At TGS, he expressed confidence in the project, stating that it’s shaping up to be even stranger than its predecessor. He also hinted at a sense of wonder, asking if such a game truly exists. Given what we’ve seen so far, it seems clear that Kojima Productions has achieved their intended goal.

2024-10-02 17:41

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