At the Tokyo Game Show, Hideo Kojima revealed that Death Stranding 2 will have an impressively realistic photo mode, making the mysterious sequel more compelling. Death Stranding 2 seems to be even more of an experimental playground for Kojima than its predecessor, and the photo mode is further proof of this.
There were a lot of intriguing announcements at this year's Tokyo Game Show, and although Death Stranding 2's release date wasn't revealed, Kojima had two exciting pieces of news to offer. The game's photo mode and in-game performance by Japanese pop star Daichi Miura hinted at how far Kojima is wanting to push the boundaries of his new franchise. Death Stranding made waves with its unique approach to storytelling, and Kojima clearly isn't holding back with the sequel. At first, this photo mode may just seem like a fun addition to the overall experience, but there could be more in store for this feature.
Death Stranding 2's Photo Mode Could Play a Larger Role in the Story
Kojima's Plans For Experimentation
One of the most compelling aspects of the Death Stranding franchise is that it has given Kojima the freedom to play around with storytelling and gameplay in unexpected ways. Whether it's a seemingly random cameo by Conan O'Brien or a hat that looks like an otter's head, Death Stranding has been able to blend a post-apocalyptic story with a fun amount of absurdism. Death Stranding 2's photo mode could quickly be written off as Kojima Productions just including a popular mechanic, but Kojima also has cultivated a habit of putting meaning behind everything he includes in his stories.
Death Stranding was rife with heavy symbolism, even if those symbols and metaphors weren't entirely clear at first. The first game dealt a lot with themes of isolation and the nature of the human condition. This time around, Death Stranding 2 seems to be exploring themes of connecting with others, as protagonist Sam Porter has now built relationships with several characters, both returning and new. If building connections is a core theme of Death Stranding 2, then the game's specific approach to photo mode seems to be exploring this concept further.
Elle Fanning's mysterious role in Death Stranding 2 has been revealed to be a character named Tomorrow.
Death Stranding 2 Focusing On Character Relationships
A Sequel Shrouded in Mystery
The Death Stranding franchise puts storytelling front and center, making every feature play an important role. When it comes to most photo modes, they aren't usually interactive. Photo modes tend to freeze the game at a special moment in time, so players can get the perfect shot. This is what makes Kojima's approach to a photo mode so compelling. The interactions and choices of the characters are integral to the mechanic. Footage from Tokyo Game Show revealed Death Stranding 2's characters acting like a group of friends having fun, and it's shockingly realistic. With Kojima hinting that the Polaroid pictures taken in the photo mode could be more than just souvenirs, it's highly possible that this mechanic will be a focus of the sequel's gameplay.
Death Stranding 2 features a character named Dollman who is a talking puppet.
Due to Kojima's unorthodox approach to his new franchise, there has been plenty of speculation about Death Stranding 2. Although the game has been labeled a "walking simulator" by some, its story slowly reveals that it is far more than that. The game can be downright baffling at times, but there is also something to be said for Kojima's bold and experimental approach. For the first game to be so fearless with its strange storytelling devices, it will be intriguing to see just how much further Death Stranding 2 goes, and this photo mode could be the tip of the iceberg.
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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
WHERE TO PLAY
- Engine
- Decima
- Franchise
- Death Stranding
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5
