Summary
- Death Stranding 2 suggests a role reversal for Sam, who may be in need of rescue this time.
- Sam appears more isolated and emotionally compromised in Death Stranding 2.
- Fragile's renewed confidence hints at her potentially being the heroine in Death Stranding 2.
In the first Death Stranding, Sam was the hero. He was the one who reconnected America and even delivered a child from the brink of extinction. In Death Stranding 2, on the other hand, Sam already feels a lot different — namely, he feels older, wearier, and more emotionally compromised, suggesting that he might be the one in need of saving this time. This is all further highlighted by the fact that, not only does Sam appear to be alone most of the time in Death Stranding 2's pre-order trailer, but he even indicates that he is alone through one line: "I've been alone this whole time?"
More or less, it feels like Death Stranding 2 might be setting up a reverse rescue arc, and it's possible Sam has outlived the people that once gave his life purpose. Whereas he was the one doing the rescuing in the first game, Death Stranding 2 may position Sam to be the one in need of rescue. Who this could come through or how remains to be seen, as well as whether the story will even take things in that direction. However, it would nonetheless offer up a compelling continuation and evolution of the story that Death Stranding began in 2019.
Death Stranding 2's Subtitle Might Be a Red Herring
Death Stranding 2's subtitle, On the Beach, could be and likely is a misdirection, with its real meaning pointing to something beyond the Beach.
Death Stranding 2 Might Make Sam the Victim
Death Stranding 2's Sam Already Seems to Be More Isolated Than He Was in the First Game
While early trailers and footage for the game have shown Sam regularly interacting with many of its other characters — including Death Stranding 2's Tomorrow — its latest pre-order trailer shows a Sam that is largely on his own, separated from those he loves and wandering an unending wilderness. There are scenes that suggest he might be connecting with others, like a brief romantic moment he shares with Fragile, but even that moment is accompanied by Sam saying, "I've been alone this whole time?"
Another scene in Death Stranding 2's pre-order trailer implies that Fragile might have died or at least been put into a coma after rescuing Lou by jumping her away from danger.
Of course, Fragile replies to that line with "You're wrong. Death can't tear us apart. We'll always be connected. We will always be with you, no matter what. You will never, ever be alone." However, that's not enough to confirm that Sam isn't alone, as it suggests that everyone around him has either died or, for some reason, simply doesn't exist where he is and are instead connected to him through more supernatural means. If that's the case, Death Stranding 2 could see Sam making his journey entirely on his own. In a sense, this could place Sam in a psychological prison of sorts where he is forced to come to terms with something he is not initially ready to confront.
Fragile's Renewed Confidence and Role With Lou Suggest She Might Play the Heroine
If Fragile does survive Death Stranding 2's story, her renewed confidence and role with Lou suggest she might play the part of heroine to Sam, even though he is the one that players will presumably be controlling once again. Fragile has moved beyond her past and started Drawbridge, which she appears to lead with a boldness she didn't have in the first game. This boldness is something the emotionally compromised Sam doesn't appear to have — at least, according to Death Stranding 2's pre-order trailer.
Fragile also seems to be Lou's primary caretaker, although Sam is seen briefly with her. For some reason, Fragile, not Sam, is the one with Lou when they are surrounded by enemy forces and Fragile is forced to jump Lou away from danger. Later, when Fragile is heard saying to Sam, "We will always be with you," as opposed to, "I will always be with you," the implication is that she is referring to herself and Lou. If that's the case, Fragile has taken on an important role in Lou's life in Death Stranding 2, which could position her to be the savior this time instead of Sam.
If Fragile does survive Death Stranding 2's story, her renewed confidence and role with Lou suggest she might play the part of heroine to Sam, even though he is the one that players will presumably be controlling once again.
If Death Stranding was a story about a broken world needing to be mended, then Death Stranding 2's story might be about what happens when the one who did the mending begins to break. The imagery, dialogue, and tone all seem to depict Sam as a man who is haunted by isolation, not just disconnected from others, but maybe from himself as well. If that's the case, then the real journey this time might not be about crossing a fractured continent, but about someone else crossing the emotional distance to reach him.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 90 /100 Critics Rec: 95%
- Released
- June 26, 2025
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ // Violence, Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Strong Language
- Developer(s)
- Kojima Productions
- Publisher(s)
- Sony Interactive Entertainment
