Summary

  • Hideo Kojima used his own handprint for Death Stranding's logo.
  • The 2019 title continues to be praised for its story, atmosphere, and vocal performances.
  • Death Stranding 2: On The Beach is currently scheduled to launch for the PlayStation 5 sometime in 2025.

Legendary game designer Hideo Kojima recently shared some more secrets about Death Stranding, including how the game’s surreal logo is actually his own handprint. Death Stranding was the first game Kojima developed under his Kojima Productions studio after parting ways with Konami back in 2015, and the title was released for the PlayStation 4 in 2019. While Death Stranding's slower-paced gameplay divided gamers, ample praise was given to its deep story, haunting atmosphere, and vocal performances from a star-studded cast that included The Walking Dead star Norman Reedus as grizzled courier Sam Porter Bridges.

In early November, Kojima took to social media to reflect on Death Stranding’s development in honor of the game’s fifth anniversary. He recalled Kojima Productions’ humble beginnings, which included working in a small office that only held a few desks, a PS4 for watching Blu-rays, headphones, and a smartphone, among other scant supplies. This smartphone was where most of Death Stranding’s concept artwork was made, and Kojima noted that the workspace was so small that he was the only member to come in regularly.

Kojima also shared an anniversary picture of the Death Stranding logo on Twitter, which consists of a creepy black handprint that represents the oil-like BTs that Sam must brave alongside his BB companion to reconnect what remains of the United States. In this post, Kojima revealed that the handprint in question is his own, which other users have compared to creators signing their names on their work.

Said work will continue with Death Stranding 2: On The Beach, which is currently set to launch for the PlayStation 5 sometime in 2025. The sequel will see Sam and Fragile continue their efforts to reconnect the world in the wake of the titular Death Stranding while uncovering the mystery of a girl named Tomorrow and dealing with the return of the villainous Higgs. Kojima recently shared a screenshot of Death Stranding 2’s opening menu and has hinted that the game’s exact release date has already been decided.

Death Stranding 2 will likely spawn much debate and speculation when it eventually releases, just like its unique and divisive predecessor. Even five years after players first journeyed into the post-apocalyptic wasteland of Death Stranding, it seems that Kojima still has plenty of stories to tell and secrets to share about the game, including how the visionary developer literally left his handprint on Kojima Productions’ first gaming project.

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Top Critic Avg: 83 /100 Critics Rec: 79%
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Released
November 8, 2019
ESRB
M for Mature: Blood, Intense Violence, Partial Nudity, Strong Language
Developer(s)
Kojima Productions
Publisher(s)
Sony, 505 Games
Engine
Decima
Cross-Platform Play
Yes! Players will share the same server as Steam and Epic users
Cross Save
yes
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WHERE TO PLAY

SUBSCRIPTION
DIGITAL
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From legendary game creator Hideo Kojima comes a genre-defying experience, now expanded in this definitive DIRECTOR’S CUT.

In the future, a mysterious event known as the Death Stranding has opened a doorway between the living and the dead, leading to grotesque creatures from the afterlife roaming the fallen world marred by a desolate society.

As Sam Bridges, your mission is to deliver hope to humanity by connecting the last survivors of a decimated America.

Can you reunite the shattered world, one step at a time?

DEATH STRANDING DIRECTOR’S CUT on PC includes HIGH FRAME RATE, PHOTO MODE and ULTRA-WIDE MONITOR SUPPORT. Also includes cross-over content from Valve Corporation’s HALF-LIFE series and CD Projekt Red’s Cyberpunk 2077. Stay connected with players around the globe with the Social Strand System™.

Franchise
Death Stranding
Steam Deck Compatibility
yes
Genre(s)
Action
How Long To Beat
40 Hours
X|S Optimized
no
PS Plus Availability
Extra & Premium
OpenCritic Rating
Strong