Death Stranding 2, the apocalypse courier is back, more exciting than ever

Hideo Kojima apparently chose at the last minute to change parts of the script after testing because player feedback was too positive. His 'Death Stranding 2: On the Beach' (for now only on PS5) would have been too conventional. Whereas he, the creator of 'Metal Gear Solid' and perhaps Hollywood's favourite video game author, wanted it to be more polarising, more exciting, in short, different from every video game. On diversity, however, there was no great risk. Conceptually, the sequel to 'Death Stranding' is 'Death Stranding': there are no innovations, but it remains something extraordinary and unique in the video game scene.

Like a Pied Piper Kojima takes video gamers back to carry packages - that's right - in a bizarre post-apocalyptic universe where everything is connected except humanity, where life and death touch each other while humans remain isolated. Unlike other video games, one advances, resists, rebuilds, and performs everyday gestures that take on sacred meanings. Kojima's is not a noisy apocalypse, there are no zombies, screams and chaos: it is a sombre and silent end of the world. To play Death Stranding is to look the loneliness of the gamer straight in the eye. Of a gamer who is sadly almost no more, because Kojima's visionary games are not for everyone. They are madly loved by those looking for a story, by those who want to get lost and be surprised, by those looking for quirky characters and connections, by those who want to be amazed, because after all, video games are machines for connecting the dots. That gamer will love Death Stranding 2.

Starting with the cast. We find Norman Reedus again as the main character, Sam Porter Bridges. Léa Seydoux is still Fragile, now head of Operation Drawbridge, while Troy Baker reprises his role as Higgs, the antagonist from the first game. They are joined by Elle Fanning, who plays Tomorrow, a new character who seems to have some sort of connection with the beach; Shioli Kutsuna, who is Rainy, a Drawbridge agent who is pregnant; and Luca Marinelli, who is Neil, a Mexican smuggler who indulges in a bit of Solid Snake cosplay. We find, as in the first episode, cameos from some of Kojima's favourite directors and a more thoughtful writing that reflects on the impact of pandemics and the risks of extinction. We are still faced with a work that wants to be visionary or incomprehensible, or both. That looks at cinema, music and television as no one has ever done before. And indeed, a live-action film is already in the pipeline, made in collaboration with A24, and a musical tour, 'The Strands of Harmony World Tour', which will visit 19 cities and feature the game's music, performed by an orchestra and live singers.

The gameplay does not change but is enriched. This is a parcel delivery simulator in an apocalyptic, dystopian and symbolic 1970s sci-fi world. The real added value are the characters and films that draw you even further into a plot that is intimately hilarious and surreal. That is why it is good to remember where we left off.

The game picks up 11 months after the events of the first 'Death Stranding': Sam Porter Bridges has officially completed the connection of the United States, transformed into the United Cities of America (UCA), but has abandoned the Bridges government and organisation, taking with him the BB known as Lou, who has now grown up. His lonely life with the baby is interrupted. A new organisation, Drawbridge, led by Fragile, wants to reconnect with the rest of the world. To do this, they travel in a giant mobile base called DHV Magellan, which looks like something out of the 'Alien' movies. After Mexico, the destination is Australia. Have a good trip and remember to take a shower (those who have played 'Death Stranding' know, ed).