Hideo Kojima is a master of subtext and hidden meanings. Analyzing trailers for his games before release is a delicate task, because the same approach can reveal the entire plot or miss key details. Yet the trailer for Death Stranding Part 2, simply called DS2, drew intense attention. The footage aired during The Game Awards 2022 hinted at a direct sequel with familiar characters and a shared world. This piece takes a closer look at the trailer and imagines what might unfold in the new courier-driven adventure.
Warning: This article contains spoilers for the original game.
What we were shown
In the opening scene, children’s toys appear: cubes, wooden dolphins, and a tape measure for tracking a child’s height. The setup suggests the hostess is likely only one to two years old at most.
There is ambiguity about Lou. It becomes clear later that Lou has grown older in recent times, but it is not Sam who interacts with the girl; Fragile appears to be the caregiver in this moment. It could, however, be a different child entirely.
In the following frame, Sam appears as the bearer of a dream keeper. In the first game, he wore it around his neck. It seems unlikely this device travels to Fragile before the climactic finish.
What happened to the girl’s aged body in Death Stranding? In that story, the heroine endured the chiral rain, aging the body except the head. In the trailer, Fragile wears a tank top, exposing smooth skin on the arms and chest, while the rest of her appearance hints at a different chronology. Is Kojima playing with time or perception? The trailer invites further inspection.
Is this a video game or a movie? The bunker comes under attack, lights flicker, and Fragile looks frightened. She runs to the surface toward a unicycle as a man’s voice says, “darling, don’t worry, I will always be with you.” The speaker’s identity remains uncertain, and Sam does not appear to be the source.
The girl is unable to escape. A precise shot strikes Fragile, and the child’s fate remains ambiguous. Then something uncanny happens: a silhouette of the same baby appears within a broken bottle used to hold a BB, marked by angel wings on the clothing. Whether this represents teleportation or another phenomenon is left open to interpretation.
Attackers are shown next. A full-scale cult seems to have emerged from Amelia’s death. A banner features a bold red motif, and a cadre of people in red protective suits carries a coffin of the same hue.
The antagonist lineup centers on Higgs, who makes a return at the trailer’s end wearing Amelia’s mask. The face is not shown, but the voice of Troy Baker is unmistakable. The character outfit includes transparent inserts, highlighting internal organs and hinting at a new visual direction.
There is a brief moment when Troy himself appears to sing a song featured in the trailer, adding a musical thread to the mystery.
Sam also appears in the footage, but several questions linger. The original game concluded as the chiral rain ceased to be effective, leaving him under the falling droplets with the child. In the trailer, Sam’s hair is gray, suggesting the passage of time or perhaps a different kind of transformation. It is unclear whether Sam ages rapidly, or if Fragile’s claim of a new adventure signals a fresh, ongoing journey.
When Sam shows up, another male figure speaks off screen, offering a line that implies personal loss and the risk of clinging to grief. The spoken sentiment hints that a crucial connection may be at stake, with Lou possibly involved in the emotional arc.
The final image features Fragile’s airborne team aboard an air-submersible craft, suggesting that Sam will be undertaking longer journeys and further distances in the story ahead.
What do you think about the idea of playing as Fragile?
What are we waiting for
Two strands of expectation dominate the chatter. One centers on Fragile as a playable lead, potentially introducing distinct mechanics and traversal challenges. The other concerns whether narrative choices will steer the experience in new directions at the player’s behest. The girl appears to be a compelling protagonist, and her abilities seem to surpass those of Sam in meaningful ways.
The fate of the child remains a critical question for the story. Will part of the BB lineage help the heroes, or prove a temporary setback? The future of Higgs also beckons, though it seems unlikely that he will be the only threat. Amelia’s possible return remains on the table, especially on the Shore, where almost anything can happen.
The same airship as a means of transport hints that Sam may cover even greater distances, possibly taking the team beneath the water as the journey unfolds.
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The DS2 trailer leaves more questions than answers, and that is a sign of exciting potential. A twisted plot is something new in a landscape starved for surprising storytelling. It would be welcomed if the creators listened to fan enthusiasm and infused the gameplay with more dynamism. In the meantime, anticipation builds with every new video and every fresh reveal.
What is your take on the DS2 trailer?
Source: VG Times