Hideo Kojima’s massive sequel to one of the strangest and most profound games of this generation comes out in less than 10 days, and plenty of folks are still scratching their heads about what it’s all about. But worry not, we’ve put together an easy-to-read summary of Death Stranding in case you get lost in all the technical jargon.
Now, if you’re still asking: “Do I need to play the first game to understand Death Stranding 2?” The answer is a resounding... yes and no.
Why You Need to Play Death Stranding Before Death Stranding 2
The obvious reason is continuity.
You wouldn’t jump straight into the next chapter of a story without understanding who’s who and what’s what from the first game.
Death Stranding is essentially a massive setup for the sequel, and skipping it will leave you wondering why a baby in a pod matters or why Lea Seydoux’s ‘Fragile’ plays such a crucial role. If you're curious why Heartman is called Heartman, well, you'll need to dive into his lore from the original game.
Playing the first game also helps you get used to its unique mechanics. Death Stranding doesn’t follow traditional AAA formulas.
In fact, it sparked plenty of debate (and memes) when it launched, with people calling it a “walking simulator” or jokingly referring to it as “Norman Reedus and the funky fetus.” But none of that stopped Kojima or fans of the game itself. If the “delivery” gameplay didn’t strike your fancy in the first one, you may find the sequel similarly off-putting, since it continues the signature “porter” mechanics.
READ: Hideo Kojima Could Be Repeating His MGS2 Trick in Death Stranding 2
Why You Don’t Necessarily Need to Play the First Game
Alright, this might be a little controversial, but technically, you can get away with not playing the first game by watching a YouTube recap of Sam Porter Bridges’ journey to reconnect a fractured America.
Just be warned: you’ll likely miss some of the finer details. Sure, you’ll know who Deadman or Higgs is, but you may not grasp the deeper layers of their characters, especially since most recaps skip over those small (but meaningful) moments.
Also, Death Stranding 2 introduces a new cast of characters not seen in the original. Characters like Mads Mikkelsen’s ‘Cliff,’ Guillermo del Toro’s ‘Deadman,’ and Margaret Qualley’s ‘Mama’ don’t appear to be returning, as the sequel is set far from America, which was the main setting of the first game.
Some of the new faces seem even more intriguing, like Elle Fanning’s mysterious “Tomorrow,” or that bizarre Dollman hanging from Sam’s belt.
So if you’re okay with missing a bit of the original’s nuance, skipping the first game could save you time. Just be prepared for some narrative gaps, and the fact that the sequel still includes that love-it-or-hate-it “walking simulator” aspect, even if it’s supposedly more action-focused.
But if I were you? I’d definitely start with the first game. You’ve got less than 10 days to finish it and prepare yourself for another surreal, sci-fi experience from none other than Hideo Kojima.
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