Tomorrow is in your hands now

Hideo Kojima has always made sure his games had deep meaningful messages while tying into themes and concepts from the real world to create a player experience like no one else could ever match. I have studied not only his work but his development mindset and process. With Death Stranding part 1 the biggest theme was ropes, using ropes helps bring people and things together. This was a concept Kojima used to design gameplay and story together with the topic of evolution of mankind using ropes to connect which was even in the title Strands as a symbol of the ropes. The gameplay also made you use a rope for combat and to get to places you cannot reach while you connect with world in different ways. These things were detailed during kojima’s development process and showcased within the game throughout beginning and end of story. you are stranded and only the strand can connect you but with (On the Beach) Part 2 Kojima brought out Mankind’s deadliest weapon the Stick. The rope connected us but Part 2 will make us question ” Should we have connected? this evolution might not be positive as the stick unlike the rope makes the stick is used to strike back. What is exciting about this is that Kojima will give Part 2 more combat, more stealth situations, more options overall allowing players to decide how they want to play. Rope or stick as weapons or tools? Human evolution will be showcased which is even tied to Kojima productions Logo Ludens. “From Sapiens to Ludens” Which is a play on words about how humans evolve meaning “Those who play” Its exciting even if your not like me who dives deep into themes, messages and concepts because the gameplay will showcase this. My video below details the new changes if you want to learn more.

Tomorrow is in your hands now

With the new features and new direction of Player options for combat, stealth or avoidance the story will go even deeper into the themes of evolution.  A tagline for part one was “Tomorrow is in your hands” but for part 2 there is a character named Tomorrow which speculations online say she will be one of the most important characters for the story. There is a character with one hand Tarman who also feels like a good symbol of handprints on the main character Sam and all the handprints throughout the game. If tomorrow is a human and she is in your hands will the metaphor of Tomorrow being in your hands come true within the gameplay? Personally I am invested in these little details that lead to a larger story and gameplay experience fitting the themes and messages Kojima has shared throughout the years of development. The best part of Part 2 when it comes to evolution is Kojima has listened to players feedback of changes and things part 1 was missing. Gameplay wise I shared features but story and feel of the game evolved also. Sam has friends and a sort of family to work with, talk to and developer characters deeper. Making us the players more connected to the universe and experience. I share a character introduction video below that briefly explains some characters without going into spoils below.

If you made it to this part of my article congratulations we are breaking the fourth wall, take a second think about all the knowledge and interesting things you gathered for your whole life, Than imagine you can write a story you want to share with the world to inspire them? Got it? good this is Hideo Kojima vision for the overall Death Stranding experience, its not just a videogame for him. He is putting all his life time within this project its why his closest friends are featured in it and its why the message touches so many others out there. His game design career with Metal Gear solid series did this example Old snake in Metal Gear Solid 4 was a metaphor of the series getting old and Kojima also. A simple example but believe me there is endless times Kojima put his personal life imprint into the games he designs. Now Death Stranding is partially his farewell to the industry as he expressed he only got a few more games to make before he retires from making games. The real Death Stranding begins when he retires of you ask me. No one has inspired me to dive deep into messages, themes and concepts than Hideo Kojima. Maybe you haven’t been into those kind of things well your in luck. Death Stranding 2 is more focused to be user friendly with all the new features and focus it has to provide newcomers and casuals to really enjoy this masterminds Kojima’s work. The hands on preview’s shared tons of details and showcased how much this game will feature what the masses want from Kojima games. Take a look at my recap of the hands on previews below.

See you on the Beach…

I wrote what’s in my mind about Kojima and his work today because normal information about release date and so on are everywhere. Hopem this was informative and made you curious to dive into the development information kojima shares which only adds value to the gaming experiences. These last years of kojima making games will be special as the games quality is there but the best parts are the deeper layers within them that are unmatched. It will be a good time for us gamers and Ludens, I will see you on the Beach.

DEATH STRANDING 2: ON THE BEACH
Releases Thursday, June 26, 2025

Learn more about Death Stranding 2 via the official link below.

https://www.kojimaproductions.jp/en/death-stranding-2