I've been counting down the days, folks. Death Stranding 2: On the Beach finally drops on June 26, 2025, and as a die-hard Kojima fan, I'm practically bouncing off the walls. But man, what a journey it's been since the first game landed back in 2019. Six years! That's a lifetime in gaming years.

You know what really grinds my gears though? Finding out we could have been playing this masterpiece TWO YEARS AGO if it wasn't for that damn pandemic. Yeah, you heard me right. The maestro himself, Hideo Kojima, spilled the tea in a recent GQ interview that hit me right in the feels.

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The Covid Curveball

So here's the deal - Kojima was all set to shoot the opening scene with Léa Seydoux in spring 2020. Remember that time? When we were all suddenly trapped in our homes like we were living in some bizarre Kojima game ourselves? Talk about life imitating art!

"What I am most afraid of is time," Kojima said in the interview, and boy, do I feel that in my bones. The man became independent at 52, and now he's 61. That's precious creative time he'll never get back.

The pandemic threw a massive wrench in the works:

  • Couldn't scan actors ❌

  • Couldn't do new casting ❌

  • Production schedule completely derailed ❌

If everything had gone according to plan, we would've been playing Death Stranding 2 in 2023. Let that sink in for a minute. Two whole years of potential BB pod-carrying goodness... gone with the wind!

Kojima's Plate is Overflowing

And it's not like the guy can just kick back and focus solely on Death Stranding 2. He's got more irons in the fire than a blacksmith on steroids:

  1. OD - That horror game collab with Jordan Peele that's got everyone buzzing

  2. Physint - His take on a spy action game that looks absolutely bonkers

  3. Death Stranding film adaptation with A24 - Cinema's coolest studio taking on gaming's most cinematic creator

"I feel nervous. I feel rushed," Kojima admitted. "I still have a lot of things I want to do - that I need to do."

That hit me hard, not gonna lie. Time waits for no one, not even gaming visionaries.

The Silver Lining

But hey, every cloud and all that jazz. The wait is almost over now! Death Stranding 2 is launching exclusively on PS5, and you just know those PC and Xbox ports will follow eventually. That's just how the cookie crumbles these days.

I've been replaying the original to prepare myself, reconnecting America one delivery at a time. The themes of isolation and connection hit different post-pandemic, you know? It's like Kojima was some kind of prophet. The man was out here making a game about staying connected while physically apart before we all had to live that reality. Mind = blown.

My Personal Take

Let me keep it one hundred with you - game development timelines are getting ridiculous. Remember when we used to get new games in established series every couple of years? Now we're lucky if we get one per console generation. Just ask those poor Hollow Knight: Silksong fans who've been waiting since the Stone Age.

But at the same time, I'd rather wait for something mind-blowing than get a half-baked rush job. Kojima doesn't miss, and that's facts. When he delivers, he DELIVERS.

I've cleared my schedule for the entire week after launch. My fridge is stocked with energy drinks, my delivery route is planned, and my body is ready. This is going to be an experience, not just a game.

The way I see it, Death Stranding 2 isn't just another title - it's a cultural moment. In a world where we're more disconnected than ever (ironic given our 'connected' devices), Kojima's vision feels more relevant than ever.

So here's what keeps me up at night: with time being so precious and Kojima having so many ideas, how many of his visions will actually see the light of day? And is that why each game feels like he's cramming in every single idea he's ever had? The man's running against the clock, and I can't help but wonder what masterpieces might remain locked in that brilliant mind of his.

What do you think - would you rather see Kojima focus on fewer, more refined experiences, or continue this kitchen-sink approach where each game is bursting with ideas? Because the way things are going, time's ticking, and I'm not sure we'll get to see everything this gaming genius has to offer.