Death Stranding 2: On the Beach’s newest trailer was jam-packed with things that have become hot topics of discussion since it premiered last week. A scene in particular that has done that is one that shows returning villain Higgs (now wearing clown makeup) fighting against robots (who laugh like babies) with an electric guitar that shoots out lightning and also doubles as an axe. Among many, many other things, the slick direction of the scene’s action stood out to many, and that, as it turns out, is a result of a key addition to the development team by Kojima Productions.
As confirmed in the trailer (and subsequently re-confirmed by director Hideo Kojima on Twitter), Yuji Shimomura is serving as action director on Death Stranding 2. For those unfamiliar, Shimomura has previously worked with Kojima, having served in the same capacity on Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain. He has also worked as action director on several Devil May Cry and Bayonetta titles, as well as on a number of movies and TV series.
Since Death Stranding 2’s trailer premiered, Kojima has also been actively sharing new tidbits on social media, talking about the game’s new “living puppet” character (another highlight of the trailer), promising many more new characters who’re yet to be unveiled, and confirming that Mads Mikkelsen – who played Cliff in the first game – won’t be returning in the sequel.
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach launches for PS5 in 2025.