Summary
- Death Stranding 2 will continue the story from the first game and feature familiar faces like Sam Porter Bridges and Fragile. There are many other original characters that fans would love to see return, though.
- Characters like Deadman, Lockne, Die-Hardman, Heartman, and Lucy Strand have intriguing backstories and potential for growth in Death Stranding.
- The sequel has the opportunity to deepen these characters' stories, and doing so could elevate the overall narrative.
While not much is known about the upcoming Death Stranding 2, it's clear that Kojima's upcoming game is going to be a direct continuation of the first, featuring familiar faces like Sam Porter Bridges and Fragile. It's difficult to determine what other characters will be guaranteed to make a return, however, as Death Stranding featured a star-studded cast that could be hard to bring back in its entirety. Even more popular actors could appear in Death Stranding 2, but there are many original characters that fans would love to see return.
The world of Death Stranding can be difficult to parse, as Kojima's signature confounding storytelling style, always oscillating between absurd, logical, comedic, and methodical, was on full display in the 2019 game. However, even those who don't fully grasp the game's cerebral plot are likely to latch onto some of the characters, as they are all charming, idiosyncratic, and mysterious in their own way. At this time, it's not clear who exactly will be rejoining the cast, as only Sam Porter Bridges, Fragile, and Higgs Monaghan are confirmed to be making a comeback. But there are many other characters from the first game who should return in Death Stranding 2.
Deadman Should Return in Death Stranding's Sequel
Death Stranding features many film stars, including filmmakers like Guillermo del Toro, a longtime friend of Kojima. He turns out a strong performance as Deadman, a character comprised almost entirely of transplanted organs, which resulted in the destruction of his Ka, which is the concept of the soul in the world of Death Stranding. Despite this, he is one of Sam's closest allies, and he has a lot of heart. His charisma and intriguing backstory would make him a welcome addition in the sequel, as there is still more to learn about him.
Lockne Was One of Death Stranding's Best Characters
The talented Margaret Qualley hasn't been confirmed as a DS2 cast member yet, but it's likely that more than a few fans will be hoping for her return. She delivered a fantastic performance as twins Malignen and Lockne, but Lockne's story still has places to go, as she absorbed her sister's Ka in the first game, making her a one-of-a-kind character with plenty more to contribute to the world of Death Stranding.
Die-Hardman Can Grow as a Leader in Death Stranding 2
Die-Hardman assumes the role of President of the United Cities of America in the first game, after serving as the Director of Bridges. The character plays the part of a leader throughout the first game, but is tormented by guilt and anxiety, mainly due to his role in the death of Cliff Unger. With many of Die-Hardman's mysteries revealed, Death Stranding 2 could offer a great opportunity for him to develop as a character and leader.
A Healed Heartman Should Appear in Death Stranding 2
Heartman, portrayed by Nicholas Winding Refn and voiced by Darren Jacobs, has a unique condition: his heart stops every twenty-one minutes, forcing him to use an automatic defibrillator to come back to life. While his heart is stopped, he searches his Beach for his dead wife and child, hoping to be reunited with them. At the end of the game, he realizes his mission has been fruitless, and begins to move on. DS2 could show what this looks like for him.
DS2 Could Explore Lucy Strand
Lucy Strand is an extremely important Death Stranding 2 character, playing a significant role in Sam's backstory as his wife and the mother of his child. Tragically, she took her own life before the beginning of the game, but DS2 could still shed more light on her and Sam's relationship via flashbacks or other means, thus elevating the story and deepening Sam's characterization.
It may be pointless to try and predict what will happen in a Hideo Kojima game. The iconic game maker is always packing his releases with unexpected twists and turns, which is part of what makes them so exciting to play. Death Stranding succeeded because of its strong vision, so it's not likely that DS2 will bring back characters just for the sake of fan service. That said, there are plenty of interesting places the sequel can go with certain characters from the original.
Death Stranding 2 is currently in development for PS5.