For Kojima, those experiences led to a different approach for the sequel. His own sense of isolation that arose from having to develop Death Stranding 2 with a remote team saw him reconsidering its tale — yet it’s also this isolation that led to Kojima realizing the perils of digital connectivity.

The sequel to 2019's Death Stranding feels like the first truly essential PlayStation 5 game, and perhaps the most Hideo Kojima game ever made.

Death Stranding 2 is so much more than a retread of the first game — and it might be Hideo Kojima's best game yet.