Madness of Higgs and Secrets Revealed in The New Death Stranding 2 Trailer

The release date for Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is June 26, 2025, and fans cannot wait for it to hit the shelves. With the enthusiasm Kojima and co. have displayed so far, it appears that the sequel is going to be phenomenal. Hideo Kojima states that the teaser has several surprises that fans have not yet caught onto. In a statement on social networking site X, Kojima revealed more hints, including the SSS roads and gameplay mechanics.

"If you observe the game system carefully, there are several clues," Kojima posted on Twitter. "For instance, take a look at the SSS roadways. You'll see that some of them have roofs. Also, the building lights up brightly, like a convenience store at night".

While pointing out obvious details from the teaser, Kojima does include a subtle hint with the words "at night". This implies that, unlike the original Death Stranding, the sequel will potentially have a full day-night cycle, adding a dynamic factor to the action. That is, of course, unless this is later confirmed. 

A closer look at the trailer reveals that these illuminated structures and roofed highways are just the tip of the iceberg in terms of hidden surprises. Fans are still pouring over the teaser for hidden elements, and it appears that Kojima's detailed world-building continues to impress. Kojima's proposals don't just stop at the game's appearance and systems.

New characters, such as Neil, portrayed by Luca Marinelli, were also introduced in the trailer. Neil's work seems to involve the smuggling of brain-dead pregnant women, setting up a dark, morally challenging narrative thread that recalls the themes of the first game.

The cast of characters is growing, and fans can't wait to see how these new characters will intersect with Sam's narrative. Meanwhile, the mystery of Sam's BB (Bridge Baby) remains unresolved, with the trailer revealing both an older Lou and a new BB pod baby, which implies Lou's role might be more significant. Still discussing Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, Hideo Kojima has already apologized in advance for Higgs' absurdity. 

Here, he states, "Higgs isn't two or three times bigger. It's a hundred times bigger than Death Stranding. So, near the end, you'll be watching Higgs and saying, 'What is this?' and maybe tossing the controller. It's stupid, so I'll apologize ahead of time". Troy Baker recognizes the character's insanity and responds with, "Mission accomplished if you do".

Kojima went on to explain the rationale for his return to Higgs in Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, citing the character's popularity as a reason. He quoted: "Since Higgs was such a well-liked character, the sequel would have had to raise its stakes by multiple orders".

"Higgs was a hit last time, I felt, I cannot kill him", Kojima explained. So here he is back. By its appearance, Higgs isn't your everyday evil. He's a popular character, so I thought I'd take him two or three levels up with this one."

This seems like a lot of Higgs, and I'm not sure how wild things are going to go with this guy at the end. Things seem to be getting so crazy that even Kojima has to step up and apologize ahead of time. I don't know if he's talking about what's going to happen in the story or if he's saying, "You're going to want to throw your controller." I don't know if that's a nod to how hard the final boss battle is or what.

Either way, Kojima appears poised for a mind-blowing escalation with the character. The hype for Higgs doesn't end with the story. Kojima has already confirmed that in Death Stranding 2, Higgs is not only a villain but a fan favorite whose role is crucial to the sequel's advancement.

The stakes are higher, and the insanity appears to be pushing the players to the brink. Kojima promises that the complete madness of the last few minutes will leave the fans completely speechless. The new set of characters and Higgs' collapse also promise a completely insane story that goes in ways yet is unpredictable. The character models are full of Kojima's excessive world-building. 

For example, Debra Wilson's character, Doctor, was unveiled in the teaser, adding to the cast and story weight of the sequel. As we've learned from the first game, Kojima doesn't do anything by halves, and the sequel appears to be an even more deranged ride. Death Stranding 2: On the Beach delves into a number of intriguing philosophical theories, most notably that of "ropes and sticks".

The theory here appears to continue the examination of human connections and their repercussions, which may potentially provide a philosophical foundation to the game's already complicated plot. Kojima's history of incorporating deeper meaning into his games bodes well for Death Stranding 2, pushing players' expectations and assumptions.

In any case, Kojima will surely be pleased to see our reactions when it is ultimately launched. The fans are already speculating regarding the gameplay, philosophical underpinnings, and, of course, Higgs's zany behaviors.