Death Stranding 2 Was “Too Mainstream” For Kojima So He Rewrote the Script Midway

The script for Death Stranding 2 underwent significant revisions midway through development because Hideo Kojima felt it had become "too mainstream." Read on to discover why Kojima implemented these changes during production and how the game manages to be both conventional and groundbreaking simultaneously.

Death Stranding 2 Was "Not Polarizing Enough" for Hideo Kojima

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Script Was Changed Halfway Through Production

During production, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach (DS2) saw several adjustments after Director Hideo Kojima deemed the project "too mainstream." Reports indicated that Kojima was unsettled by the positive pre-launch reviews, as he aimed to craft intriguing art rather than simply produce another standard blockbuster.

This concern persisted throughout development. Composer Yoann Lemoine, known professionally as Woodkid, discussed this in a June 13 interview with Rolling Stone. He noted, "There’s a key moment where we had a discussion, probably halfway [through] when we were doing the game, where he came to me and he said, ‘We have a problem.’"

Woodkid explained that Kojima felt the testing results were almost too positive, which he interpreted as a flaw. Consequently, Kojima revised key sections of the script because he believed they weren't polarizing enough and failed to evoke the specific emotional responses he sought.

Kojima remarked, "If everyone likes it, it means it’s mainstream. It means it’s conventional. It means it’s already pre-digested for people to like it." His goal was to create something that might initially divide opinions, believing this tension would ultimately lead players to love the experience.

Death Stranding 2 Is Both Mainstream and Radical

Woodkid further elaborated on the contrasting elements that define DS2, pointing out a unique anomaly in Kojima’s work: it manages to be both accessible and avant-garde.

He stated, "To be mainstream, you kind of have to compromise with so much. You can make pieces of art that are halfway of everything, but Hideo? You have no idea how much he doesn’t give a shit about this. He really doesn’t. He doesn’t compromise; he does what he wants. He knows what he’s doing, and it’s the traits of a genius."

Despite his strong vision, Kojima remains open to input from his team. Woodkid added, "[He’s] shaping his world with the ideas of his teams. It’s not just him bossing around everything. I’ve been feeding him; somehow, at some point shapeshifting and edit or something. But’s always been a dialog."

Inspiring Other Developers and Creators

With DS2's imminent release, Woodkid believes it will inspire developers in much like the Metal Gear series did for previous generations. However, he noted that replicating Kojima’s unique approach is challenging, which only highlights his distinct style.

Woodkid also suggested that filmmakers would find great inspiration in Kojima’s work. He explained, "It wouldn’t be surprising seeing him being a very strong source of inspiration for film directors. I know the cinema world is really envious of his success and his vision and the radicality of his vision."

Death Stranding 2: On The Beach launches on June 26, 2025, exclusively for PlayStation 5. For the latest updates on the game, visit our dedicated Death Stranding 2: On The Beach article below!