Latest news with #DeathStranding2:OntheBeach
Time of India
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Was Death Stranding 2 reworked because playtesters liked it too much? Composer Woodkid speaks out
Yoann 'Woodkid' Lemonine is a French composer who's worn many hats throughout his career. From being a CGI artist in video games to directing the music videos for Taylor Swift's Back To December and Katy Perry's Teenage Dream, the man already had a meaty Resume before being hired by Kojima Productions to work on the upcoming Death Stranding 2. When interviewed by the Rolling Stone magazine, Woodkid was promoting the soundtrack he'd produced for the game, titled Woodkid for Death Stranding 2: On the Beach. He then proceeded to reveal many eye-catching details about the game's production, notably how director Hideo Kojima actually reworked the game because playtesters were too uniform in their praise. Kojima wanted the game to be more divisive When asked whether he had any insights to share about Death Stranding 2's development, Woodkid revealed that Kojima believed the uniform approval playtesters gave in their feedback was a problem. As Woodkid put it, Kojima had said: 'I'm going to be very honest, we have been testing the game with players and the results are too good. They like it too much. That means something is wrong; we have to change something.' According to Woodkid, Kojima was very concerned about the finished game having too much mainstream appeal. Worried that these positive reactions were actually indicators of an underlying blandness to the narrative, Kojima actively worked to make the game more polarizing in response. He believed that if players grew to appreciate the story over a prolonged period instead of immediately liking what they saw, the game would end up far more impactful. Woodkid considers Death Stranding 2 a balancing act Woodkid has called Death Stranding 2 both mainstream and radical at the same time, and he believes that is a tricky balance to achieve. As Woodkid put it, artists frequently compromise their creative vision to appeal to the masses, but Kojima's an exception. Woodkid admired his singular dedication to his creative vision, but he also considered Kojima to be receptive to feedback, and considered his collaboration with the game director to be a 'dialogue' rather than a one-sided relationship where he just did as he was told. Hideo Kojima has often worn his Hollywood influences on his sleeve, but Woodkid ended his interview by claiming that just like the Metal Gear franchise, Death Stranding would also prove to be massively impactful, both in gaming and in Hollywood.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
4 New Gameplay Mechanics in Death Stranding 2 You Need to Know
Image via Kojima Productions Death Stranding 2: On the Beach will not only be a sequel but also a daring development of the Kojima Productions vision. Where the first title initiated arguments over the label of a walking simulator, the second project incorporates a large number of new game mechanics that look into expanding action and immersion. These are the new features worth keeping an eye on, whether you were a returning porter or new to the Strand universe. 1)Wide Spectrum of combat and hacking systems 8 Things You Need To Know About Death Stranding 2: On The Beach - Hands On Preview, New Gameplay Combat and stealth are one of the greatest changes that are refined. In Death Stranding 2, we can finally determine our own strategy of handling the situations, whether it is full-blown combat, a technical way of handling the situation, or avoiding it altogether. They added a skill tree system where the players enhance the abilities of Sam in a combat-oriented ability tree, a stealth-oriented ability tree, and a delivery-oriented one. This brings a lot of flavor of progression and play style choices, as the first game did not. 2)Traversal improvements: monorails, etc. The process of traveling across the post-apocalyptic world has been refurbished significantly. Monorail construction is now also available as a means of transport to connect important outposts, significantly increasing transport efficiency and safety. Throw in some new vehicles and better weather forecast systems and sturdier gear, and long hauls are no longer so tedious and much more methodical. This is also part of the community-building feature; players can share and take advantage of each other's infrastructure. 3)Dynamic environments and world events The context of Death Stranding 2 is much more responsive than it used to be. Variations in weather, rainfall patterns, and terrain degradation are all dynamic factors that impact your routes and your plans. The game has introduced new environmental dangers, such as quicksand-like grounds or shaky cliffs, that add tension to the game and require the player to improvise. This is an added degree of realism and is harder to explore. 4)Companion features and equipment It is not a solo thing. Death Stranding 2 brings about the companion system that uses AI and more sophisticated gear management. To cut example, your helper robot (who has been briefly presented in the trailers) can help you both in fights and during transportation. It also has a more customizable loadout system, where it can set a deeper customization system depending on the type of missions being executed: combat, delivery, or stealth. With intensified travel, the dynamic way of interacting with the world, powerful tools of combat/stealth, and advancement systems, Death Stranding 2 is making substantial steps toward integrating the scope of the story with more interesting game depth. Such mechanics demonstrate the desire of Hideo Kojima to cross the line in storytelling, as well as in our ways of playing and relating. This sequel does want to make every step count, whether you are spending time walking, fighting, or even building bridges (the literal kind).
Engadget
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Engadget
Watch 22 minutes of Death Stranding 2 gameplay from Summer Games Fest
To view this content, you'll need to update your privacy settings. Please click here and view the "Content and social-media partners" setting to do so. Hideo Kojima doesn't really go for half measures. Following a 10-minute trailer that unveiled some early details, the game creator participated in a beefy 80-minute panel discussion with Geoff Keighley about Death Stranding 2: On the Beach on the final day of Summer Games Fest 2025. The wide-ranging conversation included some clips from the sequel to the acclaimed Death Stranding , including its first five minutes, which sparked lots of cheers as people recognized performers' names in the opening credits. Kojima also showed the English language version of a scene that was revealed during the Tokyo Game Show, highlighting the performances of Elle Fanning as Tomorrow and Shioli Kutsuna as Rainy. Fans also got a chance to see Tomorrow in action as she literally gets down and dirty in the tar to take out some robotic combatants. There was also a live gameplay demo, first showing Sam in combat with a blood boomerang and a tar cannon, then a more challenging fight against Neil that showed off some stealth attacks as well as some more weaponry. Death Stranding 2: On the Beach will be available on PlayStation 5 starting June 26.
Time of India
07-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach release date, story, characters & gameplay revealed at Summer Game Fest 2025
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach - Remember the first time we stepped into the strange, beautiful, and haunting world of Death Stranding? That feeling of wandering alone across empty lands, reconnecting broken pieces of a shattered world—yeah, it stayed with us. Well, guess what? Kojima is bringing us back to that world, and this time, it's deeper, more emotional, and honestly… it feels like coming home to something you didn't realize you missed. With Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, we're not just getting a sequel—we're getting answers, fresh mysteries, and upgrades that'll shake things up in the best way possible. Whether you're a hardcore Kojima fan or just someone who loves a game that makes you feel, this one's for you. Let's unpack everything we know so far—together. Death Stranding 2: Kojima returns with a deeper journey Set to launch on June 26, 2025, exclusively on PlayStation 5, Hideo Kojima is back with Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, and the emotional tide is stronger than ever. Revealed during the Summer Game Fest 2025, the sequel to the beloved and mysterious 2019 title promises a deeper, more emotionally complex journey. It's not just a game—it's a story of fragile human connection in a fractured world. The game expands the universe of Sam Porter Bridges and introduces new characters, upgraded gameplay, and stunning visuals powered by the Decima Engine. Death Stranding 2 new trailer: Meet Neil and Lucy The newest trailer, introduced by Kojima himself, centres on Neil (played by Troy Baker) and Lucy (played by Elle Fanning), teasing their fragile bond and a haunting conversation about trust, betrayal, and survival. Unlike the stoic tone of the first game, the sequel explores more nuanced emotions and complex dialogues, hinting at philosophical undertones. The visuals are breathtaking—icy terrain, sprawling dystopian ruins, and a cinematic sequence featuring cryptic symbols and mysterious technology. This clip alone has reignited excitement across the gaming community. Classic mechanics with bold upgrades While core gameplay elements like terrain traversal and cargo management return, Kojima Productions has added fresh mechanics. A monorail system helps Sam travel long distances more efficiently, and a day-night cycle now affects enemy behaviour and visibility, pushing strategy to the next level. Combat has also received an overhaul. Players can expect a new set of weapons and stealth options, as well as updated UI systems for inventory and communication with allies. A bridge to the past and future With the return of familiar faces like Sam (Norman Reedus) and Fragile (Léa Seydoux), On the Beach doesn't forget its roots. But it also introduces philosophical depth, exploring questions like: Can broken people reconnect in a broken world? Kojima described this sequel as 'a game about rebuilding humanity, not just delivering packages.' Is it mandatory for everyone reviewing Death Stranding 2 to hit this pose? Fans are also intrigued by the game's cryptic subtitle 'On the Beach,' which seems to hint at existential themes and dreamlike spaces, possibly inspired by the ending of the first game. Death Stranding 2: On the Beach isn't just another sequel—it's a return to a story that once connected us in ways we never expected. It's emotional, it's ambitious, and it dares to be different—again. And if you're anything like us, you're already feeling that itch to step back into Sam's boots and start walking toward something greater than yourself. This article? It wasn't just about facts or gameplay—it was written for fans, by someone who gets it. Who knows what it's like to stare at Kojima's trailers like decoding dreams, to feel the chill of a lonely cliffside, and to cry at a cutscene you didn't see coming? So, if your heart's racing just thinking about what's next... well, you're not alone. We'll meet you on the beach. To stay updated on the stories that are going viral, follow Indiatimes Trending.
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Summer Game Fest 2025: World Premieres and Everything Announced!
As E3 is no longer with us (RIP), Summer Game Fest 2025 continues the annual tradition of revealing world premieres and everything else in its place. As the paint dries on the previously revealed PlayStation State of Play 2025 showcase, fans look forward to the main Summer Game Fest 2025 presentation for more news and trailers showing the gaming universe what's to come in the next calendar year (and oftentimes, beyond). As is expected from the annual Summer Game Fest 2025 showcase, the presentation was chock full of trailers, world premieres, and even a few laughs for annual SGF 2025 showcase viewers. We here at CGMagazine have compiled the full list of every trailer, world premiere and announcement that happened at the Summer Game Fest 2025 livestream in the order they were shown, and it can all be seen below. The audience should note many of the titles featured did not come with a known release date, so waiting might be on the table for months and in some cases, years from these announcements. A development studio that started with just four developers, that has ballooned up to 30, the first new game announcement presented at Summer Game Fest 2025 is a dark medieval title with tons of action and tons of gore. Players will have to contend with hostile environments and grotesque abominations when Mortal Shell II comes out sometime in 2026. Hideo Kojima then took to the stage to talk his studio's newest title, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach. A new trailer was shown for the sequel at the showcase, surprisingly, nothing was shown regarding the new OD title revealed at The Game Awards 2024 ceremony. The character played by actor Luca Marinelli, Neil, showed his true colours beyond looking like Solid Snake. Kojima said Neil will play a similar role to Madds Mikkelson's character from the original. Death Stranding 2: On the Beach releases on June 26. The next title from Raw Power Games was then shown, revealing a bloody medieval battlefield game called Chronicles: Medieval. No release date has been mentioned. The next trailer showcased the next title in the Sonic car racing franchise, Sonic Racing: Crossworlds. New characters never before seen in the SEGA racing franchise were revealed, Hatsune Miku, Ichiban Kasuga (from Like a Dragon) and Joker from Persona 5 were shown racing alongside Sonic characters. Sonic the Hedgehog's creator, took to the stage to let everyone know that 'unlike other Kart racers, this one will be cross platform on ALL platforms'. Sonic Racing: Crossworlds is coming September 25, complete with a Minecraft crossover. The next title shown off at Summer Game Fest 2025 is a new RPG title from Bandai Namco that promises only oblivion. The soulslike Anime artwork title, Code Vein returns with an action RPG sequel, Code Vein II. It arrives next year in 2026. The next title from Section 8 games was then shown, bringing a seriously heavy atmosphere. A new trailer was then shown off revealing more gameplay for their latest title, and the main character Jack Pepper, is voiced by Troy Baker. The next title was revealed to take place in the universe of the Game of Thrones, and it is a real-time strategy title embodying what could happen in GoT if fans were the director of the show. Game of Thrones: War for Westeros brings RTS action based in Westeros soon. A sequel to the first-person cult-classic title, Atomic Heart II was then shown off in a world premiere exclusive to Summer Game Fest 2025. The sequel looks to build on everything that was built in the original, with new powers and gameplay shown in the trailer but retains the Atomic Heart identity carefully crafted by the developers at Mundfish. The developers at Mundfish then continued at SGF 2025 and revealed another title, another FPS, but the first MMO title called The Cube: Atomic Universe. It can be wishlisted now, and both Mundfish titles are coming soon. The next characters for Marvel's sidescrolling beat em' up Marvel Cosmic Invasion, were revealed. She-Hulk, Rocket, and Venom are coming to the roster! Capcom then took the stage to reveal new gameplay from the next title in the Onimusha series of titles. Action-oriented gameplay, consistent with what fans expect out of Onimusha is shown, showcasing stunning graphics, gratuitous violence and tight combat gameplay. Onimusha: Way of the Sword is coming out sometime in 2026. The next world premiere shown at SGF 2025 combines comedy, puppets and arcade fighting action. This underdog story sees the player go from loser to hero in a raunchy puppet-based fighter embodying Mike Tyson's Punch-Out. Felt That Boxing is coming soon. Killer Inn is a murder mystery action title asking all players 'whodunnit?' Players will be split into two groups, wolves and lambs. Wolves will win by killing all of the lambs and lambs can win by rooting out all the wolves. Killer Inn and the deception that follows will launch soon. The long-awaited release date trailer for ARC Raiders was then shown, giving fans a fresh look at ARC Raiders and a release date for anticipation purposes. Players will be in control when ARC Raiders launches on October 30. The MMO allowing fans to traipse the worlds of Dune in an MMO setting set years before the events of the novels and films, Dune: Awakening, was then given a new trailer ahead of its release date this month. Players will be able to become legend, when Awakening launches on June 10. A new trailer was shown for the upcoming action RPG title, Chronos Odyssey. Players will be able to embody the power of a god to save what remains of the broken world (albeit in a bite-sized way) when Chronos Odyssey releases a playtest on June 20. The next title from Focus Entertainment, the metroidvania Mio: Memories in Orbit was given a fresh look with a new trailer, and it has a demo on Steam as part of Next Fest. Another new handcrafted co-op journey was then revealed called Out of Words. This local co-op title asks players to work together to succeed and it's coming in 2026. The team at Hangar 13 then released a new trailer for their upcoming Mafia title, Mafia The Old Country. Mafia returns to older times and teaches players the meaning of loyalty and the importance of opportunity in Mafia: The Old Country. Mafia: The Old Country is coming soon. A new LEGO adventure was then shown called LEGO Voyagers. This small co-op adventure shows zany puzzle solving from a small LEGO perspective. LEGO Voyagers is coming soon. A new Nickelodeon title was announced featuring fan-favourite characters in zany beat em' up action. The latest release trailer for Lies of P: Overture was shown at Summer Game Fest 2025, and it's the very same trailer leaked earlier today. Lies of P: Overture is available now, shadow dropped at SGF 2025. The next title from Serenity Forge, thought of as Doki Doki Literature Club meets Silent Hill, was then shown showcasing the same unsettling feeling players of Doki Doki regard as familiar. Fractured Blooms is coming soon. A sequel to the hit Jurassic World Evolution series was then revealed, and it is coming out on October 21. The next title from Yacht Club games, Mina the Hollower, which hasn't given fans news since the successful Kickstarter was then shown in all of its 8-bit glory. Mina the Hollower launches on October 31. A new VR title where fans get to play from the perspective of Marvel's favourite Merc-with-a-mouth, Deadpool VR was then revealed. It's worth mentioning Ryan Reynolds did not reprise his role for the title, and Neil Patrick Harris has taken over in the VR title. Deadpool VR is coming out in late 2025. The next title from Techland is coming from the Dying Light universe and features oodles of undead for players to decapitate and otherwise dismember. Dying Light: The Beast is coming out on August 22. The next title coming from Anna Purna Interactive and designed by Johnny Galvatron (the makers of The Artful Escape) Mixtape was given a fresh look. The coming-of-age story from Beethoven & Dinosaur, Mixtape is coming soon. The next roguelike title was then announced at Summer Game Fest 2025, featuring an anime art style, crisp combat elements and a roguelike playstyle. The next title comes from a single developer based out of Indonesia. Acts of Blood features stiff hand-to-hand combat and use of violent weapons to dispatch waves of enemies. Acts of Blood launches in Summer 2026. Tribute Games, the creators of TMNT: Shredders Revenge and Marvel Cosmic Invasion, brings a new Scott Pilgrim beat em' up title featuring a new adventure and seven playable characters called Scott Pilgrim EX. The developers from Build a Rocketboy announced MindsEye will be launching on June 10, and a Hitman crossover is planned with MindsEye. Hitman: World of Assassination is bringing along Casino Royale villain, LeChiffre, complete with Madds Mikkelsen's voice and likeness used in-game. The mission is set in Paris, and there will be many ways to get rid of LeChiffre for good. Fans can jump in and assassinate LeChiffre today, and if fans do play, they can unlock a reward in 007 First Light. A new Mario Party-like title featuring LEGO and many mini-figures called LEGO Party! was then revealed. Fans interested in digital board game action (and maybe never talking to some family members again) can look forward to LEGO Party! in late 2025. A new trailer filled with space shenanigans was then revealed at Summer Game Fest 2025 from the developers at DreamHaven. First-person artifact-hunting action awaits players who jump into WildGate. An open beta is launching between June 9 and June 16. Wildgate launches on July 24th for PC, PS5 and Xbox Series S/X. Drinkbox Studios' (known for Guacamelee! and Nobody Saves the World) new title (and first foray into 3D) Blighted brings hardcore Metroidvania action to a dynamic difficulty system that gets as strong as the player is. As the lone survivor of the Blight's start, you'll need to find ways forward through Blighted enemies and huge Blight-riddled bosses. Blighted and its challenges launch at a TBD date. A first-person survival action title is up next from Team Clout and it's called ILL. Grotesque monsters await players willing to brave the horror when ILL launches at a TBD date. The next release date trailer for the highly anticipated mech-combat title Mecha Break was then revealed. Mechabreak is coming on July 1. A new title from Cubit Games sees players shrink down and fight gargantuan bugs similar to Grounded, but with extra Sci-Fi elements. Infinitesimals is coming in 2026. AEW wrestler Kenny Omega was then seen cosplaying s the next characters coming to Street Fighter 6. Sagat, C. Viper, Ingrid and Alex are coming to the roster of Street Fighter 6. A world premiere trailer for Last Flag, a multiplayer capture-the-flag title set in the 1980s was then shown alongside some of the characters players will be able to get behind the lens of. Last Flag can be wishlisted today. 505 Games then revealed the next trailer for the upcoming soulslike title, WuChang: Fallen Feathers. Beautiful scenery and precise combat await players when WuChang launches on July 24. Brass Lion Entertainment then took the stage to reveal a new trailer for the upcoming Wu-Tang Clan-based title, Wu-Tang: Rise of the Deceiver. Ghostface Killah recruits players to save the rest of the clan when Rise of the Deceiver launches at a TBD date. Another new roguelike was then revealed, featuring an old-timer cartoon style with Into The Unwell. Zany beat em' up roguelike action ensues when Into The Unwell will launch at a TBD date. Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio then took to the Summer Game Fest 2025 presentation to reveal a 1943 title they've kept hidden until today. Stranger Than Heaven has now been unmasked from the previous codename, Project Century. Coming soon. The last thing announced at Summer Game Fest 2025 comes from a studio known for delivering blockbuster titles. Resident Evil 9: Requiem has finally been revealed, and it will come out on February 27, 2026. That just about wraps up the entire Summer Game Fest 2025 presentation. Fans looking for more information surrounding SGF 2025 or any of the exciting announcements can check out the rest of CGMagazine's coverage on the site, or check out the official SGF 2025 site.
