Death Stranding 2 has possibly been leaked by Norman Reedus, prompting much speculation about what a sequel could look like, but not everything from the original Death Stranding should return for the sequel. Death Stranding was well-reviewed at release, with critics singling out praise for its many unique mechanics and strange premises, as befitting a Hideo Kojima game. However, the game had its flaws that the sequel should address. Death Stranding 2 needs to be a more concise package containing all the aspects players loved while removing those that weren't as well received.
The original Death Stranding follows the story of Sam Bridges, portrayed by Reedus, as he seeks to connect the disparate parts of a post-apocalyptic United States. He does so by delivering packages on foot, by vehicle, or through many other devices. While there is a bizarre story tying it all together, the majority of the gameplay is centered on this concept. The themes of bringing people together was largely supported by Death Stranding's multiplayer component which had players from all over the world working together to build structures.
While many players loved all that it had to offer, Death Stranding continues to be divisive among players who did not catch on to its unique brand of gameplay. That isn't to say that the original is perfect, though. These are some of the things that should not return in a Death Stranding sequel, ranging from the game's human enemies to repetitive gameplay and finicky transportation.
Death Stranding 2 Shouldn't Bring Back Human Enemies
For a game with heavy themes of connecting people with kindness, there sure are plenty of human enemies to confront in Death Stranding. However, the Mules that the player constantly comes across while traversing the US landscape are nothing more than a nuisance that the player eventually learns to avoid altogether. What's worse is that Death Stranding actively encourages players not to fight them. As the cut content from Death Stranding's Director's Cut has exemplified, both the stealth and the combat is clunky and very unwieldy. Additionally, the player is discouraged from using any lethal means of takedown, in fear of causing a destructive voidout. So what this leads to is the player having to take painstaking effort to ensure all the Mules live when fighting them, making them even more annoying to deal with.
Fighting humans also doesn't fit in much with the themes of Death Stranding, which leans very much into actively encouraging kindness and cooperation. Fighting human enemies not only tests one's patience on this front but is antithetical to this theme. The otherworldly and often terrifying BTs of Death Stranding are a much more nuanced enemy that should be focused on in Death Stranding 2, while human enemies should be removed altogether or at least reserved for high-profile bosses.
Death Stranding 2 Needs To Improve The First Game's Transportation
Death Stranding's vehicles are very clunky and handle very poorly even on straight, even terrain. The vehicles need to be revamped at the least if not removed entirely. Despite often being the best choice for transporting packages, driving vehicles is a chore especially when there are far more interesting and innovative methods of travel. The slingshot, zipline, and robot sled are unique methods of transportation design and are often faster and more fun to use than vehicles. These types of movement should be more encouraged in a Death Stranding sequel. Creating differed, uneven terrain would lend well to this and would cause players to lean more heavily into Death Stranding's multiplayer social features as players explore and create new transportation networks.
Death Stranding 2 Would Be Improved With Less Repetition
It is no secret that Death Stranding is repetitive and that is seemingly by design. At its core, Death Stranding is a walking simulator with Norman Reedus as a deliveryman. In this respect, there is a heavy degree of repetition as players take packages from point A to point B with very little else to consider. There are side events the players can explore, but these rarely merit anything more than additional packages to deliver from point A to point B. While many players enjoy this type of gameplay, it can be a dull affair for others and there isn't much reason it has to be such a chore.
A simple variation on missions can be a big improvement for those looking for a change of pace from Death Stranding's walking simulation and cargo management. Perhaps the player has to retrieve a package from BT-infested lands or has to eliminate a particularly strong BT threatening a route. Maybe another Mule had to drop their delivery and Sam has to pick it up and finish it. Anything to change up the mundane formula would be much more fun for those that need the change of pace while ultimately not affecting the overall feel of the game.
Death Stranding 2 Needs Less Product Placement
In a weird bit of worldbuilding, Kojima decided to include product placement in his Death Stranding universe. The world may be a post-apocalyptic wasteland, but at least Monster Energy drinks still exist. It's nonsensical and doesn't make sense even for those sold on the absurd premise that is the rest of the game. For a AAA game, the choice to include Monster Energy or have Sam mention Ride with Norman Reedus is an odd one and takes players out of the experience, especially when Kojima took the time to make an entire soundtrack of in-universe music that includes new tracks by known singers. Death Stranding's Director's Cut removed Monster from the game, so it may be that Kojima saw this as well.
While Death Stranding will always have its fans that love the game for what it is, a sequel could still stand to improve on its strand-type formula. These are just a few of the worst things about the original Death Stranding that could stand to be improved. It's still very early, with plenty of time for Death Stranding 2 to learn from the mistakes of what came before.