Hideo Kojima took to social media to celebrate Death Stranding 2: On the Beach’s success and to offer his gratitude to fans and everyone involved in the game. Since its recent launch, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach has been gathering positive reviews along with high scores on platforms like OpenCritic, making the highly anticipated sequel an instant success.
Death Stranding 2 was finally released for the PlayStation 5 on June 26, taking players 11 months after the first game. The sequel, true to Hideo Kojima’s video game style, is packed with cinematic storytelling, philosophical themes, and experimental gameplay mechanics that continue the director’s fascination with isolation, connection, and the human condition. The sequel expands the gameplay with more action, improved combat and stealth mechanics, dynamic environmental hazards like rockslides and floods, and new traversal tools such as monorails and plate gates. The game also features a star-studded cast, including Lea Seydoux, Troy Baker, Elle Fanning, Shioli Kutsuna, Luca Marinelli, and Alissa Jung, along with celebrity cameos. Now, Kojima celebrates the game’s success alongside some of these talented actors.
Hideo Kojima Reacts to Death Stranding 2 Reviews
Acclaimed director Hideo Kojima reacts to the Death Stranding 2: On the Beach reviews, which have been quite positive so far.
Taking to Twitter, Kojima wrote a heartfelt message after his appearance at the Death Stranding World Strand Tour 2 in London. The director said that “it was a truly special night in my life” and offered his gratitude to Norman Reedus, Lea Seydoux, Caroline Polachek, Geoff Keighley, and Chvrches, who attended the event that night. He also thanked fans and friends and said he will never forget what happened at the event, adding, “I will treasure these connections and keep pushing forward.”
Kojima Promises He 'Won’t Let Go Again' Following Death Stranding 2’s Success
In a nod to the game’s plot, Kojima also said, "We all came together to reconnect the 'strands' that were once severed by the pandemic." In a previous statement, Kojima talked about the challenges that Death Stranding 2 faced during the pandemic in 2020 and how he thought he might not be able to finish the game. Now, he feels glad the team never abandoned the project, saying, “I won’t let go again. Thank you.”
The director also mentioned that there would be all kinds of things waiting in the future—subtly dropping a tease for Kojima’s upcoming video games—but he said he will always remember that night. During the event, he also admitted he was happy with the positive reviews the game is receiving, which is somewhat unexpected after previously saying he wanted the game to be more polarizing. Nevertheless, Death Stranding 2 is already one of the highest-rated games of 2025, and Kojima is satisfied with the outcome.
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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
