Last Updated on Sep 3, 2025 @ 6:32:19 AM.
The Death Stranding games are arguably one of the most visually pleasing games ever released for any console, and this is no minor feat. Game developers have reached a milestone where actors commonly seen on stage, in Hollywood blockbusters, and on television shows can be faithfully recreated in a video game. Actors like Norman Reedus, Léa Seydoux, and more felt like they were inserted into a digital world.
The final product was a fusion of technology, talent, and time, which was worth the wait. Players can see and feel how their favorite actors would react in a world and bring their acting expertise to a new medium. What was achieved in these games was only just a taste of what the legendary auteur of video games has in store for the industry’s future.
“Focus on How Real I Can Make Them Come to Life in Death Stranding 2.” Kojima Got More Than He Bargained For
During a panel with Hideo Kojima and Nicolas Winding Refn at New World Sports Center, the duo discussed their collaboration process for game development. For those unaware, Nicolas lent his likeness for the character of Heartman in both Death Stranding games, and it shows how strong Kojima’s ties are beyond the video game world.
The director wasn’t the only one who received a faithful recreation in digital form, but most of the cast did as well. The original game was released on PlayStation 4 in 2019, and while it was impressive, Kojima wasn’t totally satisfied with how Sam Porter Bridges and other key characters looked. He revealed that they collaborated with 3Lateral for the sequel, and the final look was promising.
It is clear that Hideo Kojima is someone who will not stop until they have fully manifsted their vision into reality. Kojima Productions had the advantage of the Decima Engine, courtesy of Guerrilla Games, and it was only scratching the surface.
The actors Norman or Léa I have been using them in DS1, but I really wanted to make them look very natural in my game. And I did my best in DS1, but I didn’t really think it was quite there to my level that I wanted it to be.
In the sequel, many would agree that Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is one of the most photorealistic games ever made. While the game was a success, this only fueled Kojima’s dream to make his future projects even more realistic. Kojima even shared his favorite time and setting for one of the most exciting confrontations in the sequel, and favored nighttime for the fight between Troy Baker’s Higgs and Elle Fanning’s Tomorrow.
Hideo Kojima Has a Clear Vision for How His Next Games Will Look Like
The sequel was released back in June, and it was a massive triumph for Kojima Productions. Players have reached incredible milestones, which shows how much the gaming community loved and fell back in line with the core gameplay loop.
Perhaps Kojima will use everything they have learned from making both Death Stranding games and make OD, his upcoming horror project with Jordan Peele, for Xbox, which will become a much more realistic experience.
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is now available exclusively on PlayStation 5.
For more Thumb Wars coverage, read more about our thoughts on Phantom Blade Zero, and Sandfall Interactive subtly confirming there will be more stories beyond Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. Otherwise, follow Thumb Wars on X, Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram to keep up with the latest news, reviews, and interviews.
Rouvin Josef Quirimit is a Content Writer, an avid gamer (on his PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch), and film enthusiast. He was fortunate to grow up with the Marvel Cinematic Universe and was enamored by the storytelling of a shared universe full of heart and spectacle. His love for movies led him to great single-player games and he intends to cover major franchises for years to come!
