Hideo Kojima Rewrote Death Stranding 2 After Too Many People Liked It

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Hideo Kojima, a renowned video game developer known for his unique vision, made adjustments to the storyline of “Death Stranding 2” following an overwhelmingly positive response to the game. Kojima is one of the few auteurs in the gaming industry who can create both surreal and high-concept games that are commercially successful despite their strange elements. This success is largely due to the trust placed in him, as he personally brandishes his name on all his creations. He takes an active role in every aspect of his games, even editing trailers for promotion, which are eagerly awaited just as much as the games themselves.

In an unusual turn, Death Stranding marked his most out-there project to date, featuring a richly layered universe that might initially seem overwhelming. Unlike its predecessor, Metal Gear Solid V, which was packed with action, this game focuses on walking, climbing, and package delivery. This shift in gameplay has been met with mixed reactions; some found it dull and awkward, while others were captivated by it. However, the upcoming sequel, Death Stranding 2, appears to be more action-oriented, potentially addressing criticisms of the original game.

Death Stranding 2 Was Changed After Hideo Kojima Was Put Off By Positive Feedback

While it may seem surprising, Hideo Kojima’s primary objective with Death Stranding 2 isn’t about pleasing everyone. Instead, he is striving to maintain its controversial edge. In a recent interview, Hideo Kojima expressed his desire for more people to dislike Death Stranding 2. This polarizing aspect, according to him, fosters debate and could contribute to a more intriguing legacy. Furthermore, Woodkid, one of Kojima’s collaborators and musicians, shared that Kojima revised the script for Death Stranding 2 and made changes to the game after receiving too much positive feedback during internal tests.

In the course of our game development, there was a pivotal conversation between us, approximately midway through the process. At this point, he approached me and expressed concern, saying, “We have an issue.” Lemoine continued, “I’m going to be straightforward; we’ve been testing the game with players, and they’re enjoying it too much. This suggests there’s something amiss; we need to make changes.” He subsequently altered parts of the script and key game sequences, as he felt his work wasn’t provoking enough contrasting reactions and emotions. In essence, he wanted to create a product that wouldn’t be instantly liked but would grow on people, stirring feelings they didn’t initially anticipate. This experience served as a valuable lesson for me: creating content not merely to please people, but to challenge them and stimulate change in their perceptions.

Lemoine further expressed his admiration for Hideo Kojima’s unwavering commitment to his creative vision, emphasizing that this doesn’t make him insensitive to suggestions from others. It is true that Kojima modifies his games based on input from various sources, but he will not alter the game in a way that contradicts his own beliefs just to boost its commercial appeal. Interestingly, Norman Reedus hinted that the narrative of Death Stranding 2 might be more straightforward compared to the original, as Reedus found it easier to comprehend.

What do you think of Kojima’s approach to Death Stranding 2? Let me know in the comments.

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2025-06-16 23:39