Death Stranding 2's Cringe-Worthy Easter Eggs

The self-referential Easter eggs in Death Stranding 2 featuring Hideo Kojima might trigger some secondhand embarrassment. Discover how these hidden references came about and how the sequel transforms its protagonist's world.

Death Stranding 2's Hidden Treasures and Story Evolution

Kojima's Meta Easter Eggs That Border on Cringeworthy

Death Stranding 2 (DS2) delivers unexpected delights through celebrity cameos and quirky references, including several personal nods from director Hideo Kojima that may elicit mixed reactions. In a June 26 interview with GameSpark, Kojima admitted even his development team initially resisted including these meta elements.

The visionary creator left his unmistakable mark on DS2, from featuring beloved VTuber Usada Pekora as an in-game Prepper to weaving subtle personal references throughout the experience - some potentially awkward by his own admission.

This self-referential tendency isn't new for Kojima. His fingerprints appear throughout the Metal Gear saga: appearing as a spectral cameo in Metal Gear Solid, a laughing portrait in The Twin Snakes, and even as a playable operative in Ground Zeroes.

For DS2, Kojima's requests for personal Easter eggs were often met with good-natured skepticism from staff. The director teased one such secret: "If you gaze at the night sky from hot springs and zoom in, you'll discover something special."

Within days of launch, players have uncovered appearances by Ghost in the Shell's Mamoru Oshii as The Pizza Chef and Train to Busan's Ma Dong-seok as Samson Hook. With more unconventional surprises likely hidden throughout the game, players should stay alert for these signature Kojima touches.

Exploring Group Dynamics and Isolation

Beyond its eccentric cameos, DS2 weaves a fresh narrative around protagonist Sam Porter Bridges' transformed circumstances. Unlike the solitary journey of the first game, Sam now returns to the mobile base "Magellan," enabling deeper character interactions and relationship development.

While technical constraints previously limited group scenes to 3-4 characters, DS2 expands this to 5-6, allowing richer dramatic moments. "The added social dynamics create new tensions - clashes, disagreements - that paradoxically highlight loneliness within a group," Kojima explained.

Launch Day Showcase: The Final DS2 Trailer

PlayStation celebrated the June 26 release with a cinematic trailer featuring Sam's heartfelt interaction with BB-28 set to "Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head." The video highlighted the game's eclectic blend of emotional storytelling, diverse gameplay sequences, and Kojima's trademark surrealism.

The preview also introduced the star-studded cast, including returning actors Norman Reedus and Léa Seydoux alongside newcomers Elle Fanning and Luca Marinelli. Despite initial critical reception labeling the game "too mainstream," Kojima expressed joy at DS2's successful launch.

Death Stranding 2: On The Beach is now available exclusively for PlayStation 5. For continuous updates on the game, explore our dedicated coverage below.