For those with a preference for the weird, wacky, and slightly uncomfortable,Death Stranding 2: On the Beachis one of the most exciting upcoming games of 2025. The young franchise is strikingly unique and has many clear strengths, but it will always be defined by its connection to Kojima Productions, the breakout studio led by the eponymousHideo Kojima.
Anyone following Kojima’s work over the past few decades knows that the firstDeath Strandingrepresented more than just a studio debut: it was the first Kojima-directed outing since the auteur’s widely publicized falling-out with Konami, where he had served as vice president for many years. During his tenure, he was best known for his work on the seminalMetal Gearfranchise, which many argue played a pivotal role in video games becoming more cinematic and story-driven. Indeed,Metal Gearwas Kojima’s bread and butter, which made it all the more tragic that he had to give up the series’ reins before it was completed. Kojima left Konami before the release ofMetal Gear Solid 5, a game that is widely considered to be incomplete for this very reason. WithDeath Stranding 2, this is unlikely to happen.
Kojima Can Actually Finish Death Stranding, Unlike Metal Gear
Metal Gear Has Never Gotten a Real Ending, but Death Stranding Might
WithMetal Gear Solid 5being incomplete, and no plans on the horizon for a new chapter in theMetal Gearfranchise, it would seem that there are a lot of loose ends that may never get resolved.Metal Gearmay have always been a non-linear series—Metal Gear Solid 5isn’t the last game chronologically—but many thematic elements, as well as major tertiary plots, have been left unfinished.
This is rather tragic, since the series had an almost three-decade-long run before being unceremoniously snuffed out, leaving longtime fans slighted and unsatisfied. But Kojima Productions itself owns the rights toDeath Stranding, and it seems improbable that Kojima will be ousted from his own company, so the IP likely won’t suffer the same fate as its predecessor.Kojima also doesn’t plan to continueDeath Strandingafter the second entry, even though he has some ideas for a threequel.
It should be mentioned that Kojima hasn’t ruled out passing the torch to someone else, letting a new creative lead take charge with theDeath StrandingIP. But even so, the franchise would be getting handed to someone picked by Kojima, rather than fading into a miasma of corporate-controlled intellectual property. There’s a sense that finality will be possible forDeath Stranding, a luxury never afforded toMetal Gear.
Why Death Stranding Reaching Its End Point Is Important
WheneverDeath Strandingwraps up, whether that’s withOn the Beachor another, non-Kojima-directed sequel, it will be interesting to see how a Kojima property actually ends. WithMetal Gear Solid, it feels like the door is always open for further development, with Konami simply waiting for the right moment, biding its time after the disastrousMetal Gear Survive. Naturally, many will view this as a good thing, but with the series unshackled from its original visionary, there’s a higher chance it will just be driven into the ground, milked for all it’s worth.
A good story needs a good ending—this principle is a big reason why long-running movie franchises and TV shows have a tendency to overstay their welcome, becoming less highly regarded with time. When done right, an ending puts a bow on a story, whether it be modest or epic in scale, letting the audience look back at the journey they’ve taken with a feeling of satisfaction.Metal Gearmight never have this moment, but there’sstill hope forDeath Stranding.
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
WHERE TO PLAY
Embark on an inspiring mission of human connection beyond the UCA. Sam—with companions by his side—sets out on a new journey to save humanity from extinction. Join them as they traverse a world beset by otherworldly enemies, obstacles and a haunting question: should we have connected? Step by step, legendary game creator Hideo Kojima changes the world once again.
