As the next brand-new IP to come from Kojima Productions, it seems almost inevitable that OD will be just as self-referential with its cameos and Easter eggs as Kojima's past games have been. While the current focus is on Kojima Productions' Death Stranding 2: On The Beach as a direct sequel to its debut game, there is still growing interest in Kojima's OD following its reveal in 2023. Based on Kojima's track record with in-game references, including those already teased in Death Stranding 2's trailers, OD could similarly wear its references on its sleeve.
As arguably one of the most well-known figures in game development, Kojima has an established legacy of acclaimed game franchises he has worked on, including Metal Gear Solid. Between Metal Gear Solid games and the more recent Death Stranding and its sequel, Kojima has never shied away from featuring various secrets, cameos, and more as references to his or others' work. As a result, while details about OD are still scarce, the only thing players can expect with nearly full certainty from Kojima and this next project is that it, too, will be full of references and secrets of its own.
Hideo Kojima’s OD Can Prove That Bigger Doesn’t Always Mean Better
Hideo Kojima's horror project OD has teased a dive into strangeness, and his previous work with horror bodes well for the its pace.
Just Like Death Stranding, OD Could Be Self-Referential
Recent trailers for Death Stranding 2 feature its new character, Neil, with its most direct reference as he dons a bandanna similar to Metal Gear Solid's Snake. Combined with Death Stranding's own Metal Gear Solid influences through characters like Cliff and Higgs, it's no surprise that explicit comparisons are drawn between the two franchises.
Therefore, while Death Stranding 2 continues to reference Metal Gear Solid, it's arguably just as unsurprising that OD has been compared to the short-lived anticipation behind PT. With Norman Reedus originally set to lead Kojima's canceled Silent Hills before his role as Sam in Death Stranding, Kojima may continue to indulge in this self-referential trend as the studio turns its attention to OD, especially if it boasts Silent Hill influences. For example, despite its cryptic 2023 reveal trailer, OD seemingly referenced PT and only furthered suspicions of the two games' possible connections.
Exploring Kojima's History For References, Cameos, and Secrets Ahead of OD
Even beyond nods to his own games past and present, Death Stranding has demonstrated Kojima's willingness to include references to other games, films, and even celebrities, regardless of how surreal these moments might seem in-game. For instance, while some Easter eggs can be subtle, such as a Tallneck hologram referencing Horizon Zero Dawn, others can seem potentially absurd for a game like Death Stranding, such as a key in-game sequence where Amelie references Super Mario with the line "Like Mario and Princess Beach." Additionally, Death Stranding also features multiple cameos, including one from Kojima himself:
- TV personality Conan O'Brien
- Games journalist Geoff Keighley
- Horror manga artist Junji Ito
- Film director Edgar Wright
- Remedy Entertainment's Sam Lake
Between Death Stranding and his history of cameos in other games, such as Metal Gear Solid 5: Phantom Pain, Cyberpunk 2077, and most recently Control, Kojima's self-referential fondness has arguably become part of his signature. With this in mind, it seems likely OD will follow and maybe even reference Death Stranding and potentially films like Get Out, Us, and Nope, as directed by OD's co-writer Jordan Peele. However, OD's cinematic storytelling and gameplay will determine which references can ultimately be made and how, regardless of what players might expect.
- Developer(s)
- Kojima Productions
- Publisher(s)
- Xbox Game Studios
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 5
- Genre(s)
- Horror
