The next entry in Hideo Kojima's Death Stranding series, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, is set to arrive very soon, and the cryptic nature of its latest trailers has had theories coming out right and left about what its story might bring to the table. No matter how long each of Death Stranding 2's trailers have been, the Death Stranding community is still no closer to figuring out what in the world is going on in the sequel, and that is especially true of one of its biggest characters — Higgs.
By and large, Higgs played the role of antagonist in Death Stranding's story, but Sam Porter Bridges defeated him in a climactic multi-phase boss battle on Amelie's Beach. After his defeat, Fragile arrives on the scene, where she delivers a punch that knocks him unconscious. She then offers him a choice between suicide and exile on the Beach, of which he chooses the latter. Now, somehow, he is set to make a return in Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, though his revival could result in him being so much more important to Sam and the others than he ever was before.
Death Stranding 2 May Make Higgs an Anti-Hero
Bringing Higgs Back as a Straightforward Villain Could Be Anticlimactic
Higgs was undoubtedly one of the highlights of the first Death Stranding, with a charismatic way about him that ultimately made him a memorable and compelling villain. While bringing him back as a villain in Death Stranding 2 might sound like a good idea on paper, however, it could also be a very bad idea in the long run. This is not to mention the fact that it just doesn't sound like something Hideo Kojima would do, who is known for being a bit more elaborate and complex and less straightforward with things.
Death Stranding 2's pre-order trailer introduces another character, Neil, who also appears to be a villain of some kind. However, even that feels a bit too straightforward for Kojima.
Arguably, reviving Higgs in Death Stranding 2 just so he can be the villain again would be a bit anticlimactic, and it might even trivialize his place in the whole story if there is another big baddie looming on the horizon. If Higgs' role in Death Stranding 2 is purely antagonistic after he had already filled that role in the first game and was defeated, he might be seen as more of an annoyance than a meaningful villain. This would especially be true if he ends up being little more than a speed bump on the road to Death Stranding 2's true antagonist.
Higgs Is Likely to Be More on the Right Side of the Aisle in Death Stranding 2
Given Kojima's reputation for specializing in the unexpected and what Higgs' return as a simple villain could mean for the sequel's story, Death Stranding 2 is unlikely to allow Higgs to maintain a role that is purely antagonistic in nature. Instead, it would make more sense for Higgs to be more of an anti-hero of sorts, in light of what has been revealed about his character in Death Stranding 2's recent trailers. If not an anti-hero, perhaps Higgs begins the story as the villain, only to lean more on the right side of the aisle when Sam and the others require his assistance for one reason or another.
Arguably, reviving Higgs in Death Stranding 2 just so he can be the villain again would be a bit anticlimactic, and it might even trivialize his place in the whole story if there is another big baddie looming on the horizon.
Death Stranding 2's pre-order trailer has already shown a Higgs who appears tormented or weary, and perhaps a version of his character who has his own struggles happening on the side of the main narrative. His emotional interactions with Death Stranding 2's Tomorrow suggest a man who is torn between what is good, what is right, and what is best for him, and that potential inner turmoil could be the catalyst that launches him into heroism or anti-heroism. Wherever Higgs ends up though, it just seems like another villain role might not be enough to justify his return, and it's likely Kojima has considered that.
-
OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 90 /100 Critics Rec: 95%
- Released
- June 26, 2025
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ // Violence, Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Strong Language
- Developer(s)
- Kojima Productions
- Publisher(s)
- Sony Interactive Entertainment
