Okojima Productions lately attended this yr’s Tokyo Sport Present and held a Particular Stage occasion for Loss of life Stranding 2: On the Seaside, its upcoming sequel to the 2019 action-adventure/courier sim. Whereas there wasn’t exploration, fight, or stealth gameplay, the 90-minute panel offered a number of new particulars, together with introductions to previous and new characters.
As with all the pieces director Hideo Kojima works on, there have been loads of potential hints and clues for the story. Let’s delve into ten huge issues revealed through the occasion and what followers can stay up for when it launches subsequent yr. Delicate spoilers observe for the primary sport, so be warned.
Tarman
Although we’ve seen him earlier than, we lastly discovered extra about Tarman, voiced by Marty Rhone and portrayed by George Miller of Mad Max fame. He’s not solely a physician (as seen when working with Fragile in a earlier trailer), but additionally a geophysicist and the pilot and captain of the DHV Magellan. Moreover, similar to Fragile and Sam, he suffers from DOOMS (degree at present unknown). How precisely he’s manipulating the Tar – if that’s what he’s doing – is a thriller. Nevertheless, a tar cat perches on Tarman’s shoulder, which is considerably cute.
Touring By the Tar With the Magellan
The Tar from the primary sport manifested most often whereas Sam tried to flee or battle Beached Issues. Nevertheless, the DHV Magellan’s navigation console gives a direct connection to it, permitting the ship to journey by the currents, submerging simply beneath the Earth’s floor. As handy as it’s, the draw back is that the crew is bathed in Chiralium.
Can extended publicity to this trigger Chiralium Contamination? Not in DOOMS victims like Fragile, Sam, and Tarman, however doubtlessly in different characters. We’ve seen Ellie Fanning’s character remaining outdoors the helm in some screenshots, listening unbeknownst from a distance, maybe to keep away from contamination (although there are different methods to take care of it). It’s onerous to say, however it’s nonetheless one thing to notice.
Additionally, since Tar is basically the Seaside, may the Magellan encounter distinctive areas whereas traversing by it and even run into BTs? There’s a whole lot of potential for surprises, and we’re all for it.
Dollman
After all, it’s unlikely that Chiralium Contamination impacts puppets, significantly Dollman. Because the second new character within the sequel, he’s voiced by Jonathan Roumie and portrayed by Fatih Akin. Fragile reveals that Dollman was a mystic however grew to become trapped in his present physique and misplaced his skills. Whereas the remainder of his previous is shrouded in thriller, he accompanies Sam and even has a run-in with Higgs later, as seen within the earlier trailer. Based mostly on his response, Dollman isn’t too keen on the latter, contorting his face in monstrous methods.
Tomorrow
The Tokyo Sport Present Particular Stage occasion additionally supplied our first take a look at Tomorrow, voiced and portrayed by Ellie Fanning. She’s from the realm of the useless, per Dollman. After all, eagle-eyed followers will bear in mind the title of Episode 15 from the primary sport, “Tomorrow is in your fingers”, resulting in options that she’s a grown-up Lou. How did she escape from the world of the useless? Does it have one thing to do with how Higgs returned?
Wet
The opposite new forged member is Wet, voiced and portrayed by Shioli Kutsuna. Except for being pregnant, we all know just about nothing about her. When she joins Tomorrow, Sam, and Dollman in singing “Raindrops Maintain Fallin’ on my Head”, it’s onerous to not image the Timefall, the rain which causes all the pieces involved with it to age. Maybe Wet’s connection to that is being named after the phenomenon however with a extra sunny disposition. There’s additionally the query of the kid’s father, which, as with many Kojima-related issues, we’ll want to attend and discover out for ourselves.
Heartman Returns
One of many larger surprises from the reveal is that Heartman is again, that too, with heart-shaped glasses. What extra may you ask for? Actor Darren Jacobs beforehand stated he didn’t have a component to play within the sequel, however that appears to have been misdirection, as he returns alongside Nicolas Winding Refn, who lends his likeness to the character. This time, Heartman has a help unit – an exoskeleton of types which permits him to “sleep” standing up, that means he can “die” as common and stay in a secure place earlier than being revived.
Nevertheless, earlier sport gamers will keep in mind that Heartman gave up visiting the Seaside on the finish, however right here, we see him discussing an Higher Seaside reference body and offering coordinates. Maybe there’s some new function to his seashore visits. Both method, it’s additionally revealed to have been a while since he and Dollman interacted.
Picture Shoot Occasion
One of many extra curious occasions in Loss of life Stranding 2 is the Picture Shoot. Utilizing what appears to be a Polaroid digital camera, Sam takes photos of Fragile, Wet, and Tomorrow in numerous areas. The three are simply posing and having enjoyable with some Cryptobiote plushies. Whereas it might come throughout as one thing purely for laughs, Kojima stated it will possibly influence the story. How, as common, is the query, however you need to admit – the animation work, lighting and shadows within the Picture Shoot are impeccable.
Separate Picture Mode Confirmed
After all, there might be an everyday Picture Mode, which is nice information because the first sport needed to wait a number of months to get it in a post-launch replace. Additional particulars haven’t been revealed, however now we have seen pictures the place Sam and Dollman pose with Tomorrow, Fragile, and Wet, although that might be a part of the Picture Shoot occasion.
“Horizon Dreamer” and the Dancing Dollman
One other occasion entails Dollman and singer Daichi Miura. Primarily, in the event you go to a Non-public Room and carry out a sure motion, a bunch of Dollman will manifest behind the singer and dance collectively to the beat of “Horizon Dreamer.” The track has been created particularly for Loss of life Stranding 2 and must be obtainable on streaming providers at the moment of writing. It’s most likely finest to keep away from questioning its function, particularly given all the pieces else within the sport, however contemplate it a enjoyable little interplay, if nothing else
Launch Date Announcement in 2025
After all, on the finish of all of it, one has to surprise: When is it out? Director Hideo Kojima addressed this, stating (translation through Gematsu), “Whereas we haven’t introduced the discharge date but, we naturally have already got one set. The plans are in place. Though manufacturing is progressing in the direction of that purpose, varied components may have an effect on the timing of the discharge.”
Whereas the precise window is unknown, he reiterated that it’s nonetheless coming in 2025. Moreover, the precise date might be introduced sooner or later subsequent yr. Kojima acknowledged again in March that filming and recording are full, with the title at present within the adjustment part. At TGS, he confirmed, “Improvement isn’t executed but, however I really feel assured, and it’s turning out to be an excellent weirder sport than the primary one. We’re making it with the sense of, ‘Is there actually a sport like this on the market?’” Based mostly on all the pieces we’ve seen up to now, it’s secure to say that Kojima Productions has completed its purpose.
