Kojima Stunned by Death Stranding 2 Praise

Hideo Kojima finds himself in an unusual predicament - the overwhelmingly positive response to Death Stranding 2 has left the legendary game designer deeply unsettled rather than celebrating. Discover why early acclaim for DS2 makes Kojima question whether he's created something truly enduring.

Death Stranding 2's Early Praise Alarms Its Creator

Kojima Fears DS2 Might Become Just Another Forgettable Hit

The universally warm reception for Death Stranding 2: On the Beach has unexpectedly troubled visionary director Hideo Kojima. During a candid June 12 discussion with Game Informer, the creator revealed how DS2's immediate praise contradicts his artistic philosophy about lasting cultural impact.

Kojima's creative compass has always pointed toward crafting experiences that evolve public perception over decades, not just please contemporary audiences. "True masterpieces," he reflected, "those works that endure 20 or 30 years - they're rarely loved immediately. People need time to understand groundbreaking art." This was precisely his ambition with the original Death Stranding, much like how Metal Gear Solid took years before receiving proper recognition.

However, the playtesting results for DS2 unsettled him. "Everyone liked it immediately. Too much," Kojima admitted. "With Death Stranding 1, opinions were divided. But this...it worries me we might have made just another disposable blockbuster." While acknowledging the game deserves its praise, he dreams of inspiring future creators rather than chasing temporary acclaim.

Kojima Wants to Spark Creativity, Not Create Successors

The legendary designer has unconventional views about preserving his legacy. During a June 10 GQ interview, Kojima rejected traditional succession planning: "I'm not passing any baton. I'd rather break it completely." He laughed before continuing, "If I teach my team to think exactly like me, we'll fail. I want to ignite creative fires, not create clones."

Nevertheless, Kojima has made concrete plans for his studio's future. Following a serious health scare during the pandemic, the 60-year-old director shared with Edge Magazine that he's prepared a "creative will" - a USB drive containing game concepts for his team. "My assistant has it, like an insurance policy," he explained. "I don't want them just maintaining existing IPs after I'm gone."

Fans needn't worry about Kojima slowing down though. Beyond DS2's upcoming release, he's deep in development on multiple ambitious projects including Physint with PlayStation and OD with Xbox.

New DS2 Trailer Showcases Enhanced Gameplay Dynamics

The latest three-minute trailer reinforces DS2's core pillars: exploration, connection, and survival. Building on its predecessor's foundation, the sequel promises more dynamic combat options and environmental challenges that demand quick adaptation. Kojima's currently embarking on a 12-city world tour celebrating the game ahead of its PlayStation 5 launch on June 26, 2025.