Death Stranding 2's Cringeworthy Easter Eggs Revealed

The self-referential Easter eggs in Death Stranding 2 involving Hideo Kojima might make some players uncomfortable. Discover how these hidden references were implemented and how the sequel transforms the protagonists' surroundings.

Hidden References and Evolving Story in Death Stranding 2

Kojima's Self-Inclusion Easter Eggs Provoke Mixed Reactions

Death Stranding 2 delivers numerous surprises through its celebrity cameos and hidden details, including several personal inclusions by director Hideo Kojima that have caused some embarrassment. In a June 26 interview with GameSpark, Kojima shared that his team was initially hesitant about these additions.

As the visionary behind the franchise, Kojima left his creative mark throughout DS2, even incorporating his favorite VTuber Usada Pekora as a Prepper character. He acknowledged that some of his self-referential elements might make players cringe.

This isn't Kojima's first time embedding personal references in his games. His presence appears throughout the Metal Gear series through various forms - as an apparition in Metal Gear Solid, a portrait in Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes, and an operative in Metal Gear Solid: Ground Zeroes, among other appearances.

When proposing these personal Easter eggs for DS2, Kojima's staff would often react with playful disbelief, responding with confused "Huh?" expressions. The director also hinted (via machine translation): "If you gaze at the night sky from the hot springs, you'll witness a stunning celestial view. Zoom in there to discover various surprises - I encourage players to experiment with this."

Within the first week of release, fans have already identified numerous celebrity appearances beyond the main cast, including Ghost in the Shell director Mamoru Oshii as The Pizza Chef and Train to Busan actor Ma Dong-seok as Samson Hook. Kojima likely has more unconventional surprises waiting to be uncovered by dedicated players.

Exploring Collective Isolation

Beyond its celebrity cameos and hidden references, DS2 introduces a fresh narrative perspective shaped by protagonist Sam Porter Bridges' transformed circumstances. Unlike the solitary journey that defined much of the first game, Sam now returns to a central headquarters called the "Magellan," enabling richer character interactions and deeper relationship development.

Kojima noted that technical constraints limited Death Stranding to 3-4 characters gathering simultaneously, whereas the sequel accommodates 5-6 characters, creating more opportunities for dramatic expression.

"Establishing a home base with multiple characters introduces complex interpersonal dynamics. I'm attempting to portray a unique form of loneliness that emerges within groups - the tension of disagreements and conflicts among people," Kojima elaborated.

Launch Day Final Trailer Reveal

Accompanying the June 26 release, PlayStation unveiled a final trailer providing an overview of the game's experience. The video opens with Sam interacting with BB-28 against the nostalgic backdrop of "Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head."

The trailer progresses through narrative sequences and gameplay moments that highlight the title's variety and Kojima's distinctive creative vision. It also showcases the star-studded ensemble cast featuring Norman Reedus, Lea Seydoux, Elle Fanning, Troy Baker, and Luca Marinelli, among others.

Despite Kojima's initial concerns about the game's positive critical reception and potential mainstream appeal, he expressed happiness about DS2's successful launch. Death Stranding 2: On The Beach is currently available for PlayStation 5. For ongoing updates about the game, explore our comprehensive Death Stranding 2: On The Beach coverage below!