Summary
It has been quite some time since The Game Awards 2022 and the reveal ofDeath Stranding 2. In the nine months that have gone by since the game was unveiled, fans have been left to speculate about its trailer. And, in typicalHideo Kojimafashion, the first trailer forDeath Stranding 2provided a whole lot to speculate about. While the game could follow the same path as the original and keep releasing out-of-context trailers as opposed to telling fans exactly what is going on, a few questions should be answered if Kojima Productions plans on giving fans some insight into the story.
WhileDeath Stranding 2’s gameplay is one topic to consider, as the presence of Higgs’ new enemy faction and the divisiveness of the original game suggest that a more combat-heavy approach may be taken, the story of the series remains a major strength. As such, it is worth looking at the biggest questions raised by theDeath Stranding 2reveal, as the next trailer has an opportunity to shed some light on those topics.
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Why is Sam Old in Death Stranding 2?
Undoubtedly the biggest question on fans’ minds when it comes toDeath Stranding 2is how much older Sam Bridges is. While fans have been quick tocompare this version of Sam to Solid SnakefromMetal Gear Solid 4, nanomachines are very unlikely to be the cause of this aging. Intriguingly, only Sam’s face and hair seem to have grown old, suggesting that his head may have been exposed to Timefall while his body remained covered. Hopefully, the next trailer touches on this big change for the series’ protagonist.
Why is Fragile’s Skin Better in Death Stranding 2?
Speaking ofDeath Stranding’s Timefall, Fragile was one of its biggest victims. Following an encounter with the villain Higgs, the entirety of Fragile’s body was exposed to the age-altering rain oftheDeath Strandinguniverse. However, fans see her exposed arms in the Game Awards 2022 trailer, and the scarring from the Timefall has disappeared. This is genuinely confusing, as Timefall’s effects have never been shown to be reversible. Perhaps new technology has been created to help counter the effects, though this would not explain what has happened to Sam and why he has gone uncured.
What’s Going On With Higgs in Death Stranding 2?
The charismatic villain Higgs is one ofTroy Baker’s many great performances, and fans were happy to see confirmation of his return inDS2’s reveal trailer. However, while his personality is very much still present, many questions about Higgs’ return remain. How he survived the events of the first game is one, as Fragile had supposedly killed him off-screen. His new appearance is another thing to explain, as his hair has been styled to look like Amelie’s. Perhaps this ties into his cult-like following, as he may be trying to bring her back or take her place as an Extinction Entity. Until more is shown, though, this cyborg version of Higgs will remain a headscratcher.
Is Die-Hardman Still President in Death Stranding 2?
After a devastating confession to Sam, Die-Hardman resumed his duties as President of the United States. While he is a flawed man who has certainly made mistakes, Die-Hardman is still a good person who has what it takes to lead the country. However, with questions about Sam’s age and how much time has passed since the originalDeath Stranding, fans have no idea whether Die-Hardman is still in office. Considering Tommie Earl Jenkins' phenomenal performance asDie-Hardmanand his passion for the series, it would be great to have some confirmation that he is coming back in the next trailer.
Who is Elle Fanning Playing in Death Stranding 2?
Considering howDeath Stranding 2was initially teased with mysterious posters that built up to cast reveals, learning more about the new characters could prove just as enlightening as getting answers about the old ones. Elle Fanning’s reveal was treated as a big deal by Hideo Kojima, and with certain poses causing fans to theorize that she will be a grown-up Louise inDeath Stranding 2, her importance to the plot could be massive. Definitive answers about whoElle Fanningis playing could make for a phenomenal second trailer, especially if theories are true and she is indeed playing Sam’s daughter.
