Death Stranding 2 Triumphs As Game Of The Year

Ten years after Hideo Kojima famously parted ways with Konami, the gaming world finds itself celebrating not only a milestone in his storied career but also the release of what many are calling his most personal and accomplished work to date: Death Stranding 2: On the Beach. The sequel, exclusive to PlayStation 5, has swept up accolades—including being named VGC’s Game of the Year 2025—and inspired a wave of merchandise, like Prime 1 Studio’s newly announced Sam Porter Bridges bust. But how did Kojima and his team at Kojima Productions craft a follow-up that both honors the original’s legacy and charts a bold new course?

In a candid interview with Nikkei Cross Trend published on December 17, 2025, Kojima reflected on the challenges and lessons learned from the original Death Stranding. While that game ultimately drew over 20 million players, it also featured what Kojima called “pretty sharp edges”—moments of intentionally punishing difficulty that led to significant player drop-off. One notorious example was the mission requiring players to deliver President Bridget Strand’s dead body, a segment that many found daunting or even off-putting. Kojima admitted, “We gave a lot of thought to difficulty.” He continued, “We wanted to retain the theme and gameplay mechanics, but make adjustments so it’s easier to play. That’s why we added more vehicles, for example.”

For Death Stranding 2, the development team made a conscious effort to smooth out those edges. Gone are the intentionally extreme design choices that served as roadblocks in the first game. Instead, the sequel opens its arms wider, allowing more players to see the story through to its end. The result? A game that’s more accessible, though not without its critics. Kojima acknowledged, “The milder difficulty made some hardcore players find the sequel lukewarm,” highlighting the ever-present tension between challenge and inclusivity in game design.

Yet, as VGC’s review points out, this shift doesn’t mean Death Stranding 2 is without ambition or depth. Quite the contrary—the game’s narrative, set against the sweeping backdrop of Australia, explores themes of grief, acceptance, and growing old. The player once again steps into the boots of Sam Porter Bridges, this time tasked with reconnecting a fractured continent. The story, enriched by a cast that blends Hollywood A-listers with seasoned video game performers, has been lauded for its emotional resonance and complexity. Troy Baker, in particular, delivers what VGC calls his “all-time best performance.”

The scale and production values of Death Stranding 2 are virtually unmatched, with art direction by longtime Kojima collaborator Yoji Shinkawa earning particular praise. Shinkawa’s visuals lend the game a sense of personality and gravitas, reinforcing the notion that this is a project only Kojima could have realized on such a scale. “A game of this scale has never felt so personal,” VGC remarked, noting how the soundtrack and performances immerse players in Kojima’s vision.

Gameplay, too, has evolved. While the original was sometimes criticized for its “walking simulator” elements, the sequel introduces greater flexibility and variety. Stealth and combat sections are more robust, and the game isn’t afraid to embrace the bizarre: from surfing a coffin down a mountain to battling a 100-foot tar monster with a lightning-shooting electric guitar, Death Stranding 2 revels in its own eccentricity. As VGC observed, “It’s safer than the first, certainly, and some will prefer the attrition that Death Stranding lashes the player with, but for us, On the Beach feels like the game Hideo Kojima has wanted to make from the second he was forced to leave Konami.”

This sense of closure and creative peace is a far cry from the tumultuous days that followed Kojima’s departure from Konami in 2015. The tenth anniversary of Kojima Productions’ independence, marked on December 16, 2025, serves as a backdrop to the release of Death Stranding 2. In the years since, Kojima’s reputation as one of gaming’s last true auteurs has only grown, fueled by enigmatic social media posts, celebrity collaborations, and a willingness to push boundaries both narratively and mechanically.

The cultural impact of Death Stranding 2 extends beyond the screen. On December 16, 2025, Prime 1 Studio opened pre-orders for a 1/3 scale bust of Sam Porter Bridges, the game’s protagonist. The announcement, as reported by EIN Presswire and iXBT.games, detailed a meticulously crafted sculpture priced at $299 and scheduled for release between May and August 2026. Standing 44 centimeters tall and weighing 2.45 kilograms, the bust captures Sam in an unbalanced pose, holding the enigmatic Dollman—a visual nod to the game’s central theme of connection. Crafted from high-quality polystone and other materials, the collectible is aimed squarely at the dedicated fanbase Kojima has cultivated over decades.

Prime 1 Studio’s bust isn’t just a piece of memorabilia; it’s a symbol of the enduring connection between Kojima, his creations, and the global gaming community. The figure’s design, with its restrained color palette and attention to surface detail, mirrors the game’s own aesthetic priorities. As the studio explained, “Sam is depicted holding Dollman in an unbalanced pose, visually referencing the theme of connection portrayed in the game.”

Looking ahead, Kojima shows no signs of slowing down. According to VGC, he’s already at work on two new projects: the mysterious OD and Physint, a stealth-action game developed in partnership with Sony. While fans may speculate about the possibility of a Death Stranding 3, Kojima himself has suggested that such a project might be left for someone else to carry forward.

In the meantime, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach stands as a testament to what can be achieved when a creator is given the freedom to pursue his vision, unburdened by compromise. It’s a game that, in the words of VGC, “offers a stronger narrative than the first game, a better realization and flexibility of the original mechanics, and an all-time cast.” For players—veteran porters and newcomers alike—it’s a journey worth taking, and a reminder that even in an industry defined by change, some voices remain unmistakable.