Death Stranding 2: On the Beachtakes Sam on another journey centered around connecting humanity, except this time, the story expands beyond the UCA. Venturing into both Mexico and Australia,Death Stranding 2introduces a variety of fresh environmental hazards and characters to run into. The environmental hazards are harrowing enough to experience, but there is one danger that is even more terrifying: BTs.
BTs are nothing new toDeath Stranding’s world, but this time around, they can be a force to be reckoned with. Kojima Productions has introduced a fresh roster of BT types, and they give the game an unexpected horror edge.Death Strandingdefinitely isn’t known for its horror elements, but its sequel leans into the more terrifying aspects of BTs, even entering body horror territory.
Death Stranding 2 Embraces Body Horror for Some of Its Most Terrifying BT Encounters
Death Stranding 2 Comes Out Swinging With its First Boss
Kojima Productions promised more action forDeath Stranding 2, but it’s still surprising just how early on the game throws players into its first BT boss battle.This BT run-in happens during the Order 6 level, and when players first get a glimpse at what they’re about to fight, it may have some thinking they mistakenly booted upResident Evil Villageinstead ofDeath Stranding 2.
The BT in question is a giant floating head that splits open to reveal what can only be described as an entrance to Hell itself. It almost looks likeKojima’s own take onThe Thing. Adorned with tentacle-like appendages that grow out of the head,Death Stranding 2’s first major boss encounter turns the game into a full-blown horror experience for a few moments. That isn’t the only way BTs bring some serious body horror energy to the game, though.
There are plenty ofemotional moments inDeath Stranding 2, but there is one character backstory that also boasts a touch of horror. A flashback involving Tarman features BTs spilling out of a chiral whale’s stomach. The BTs push their way out of the tar-covered mammal, oozing onto a ship’s deck. It’s borderline gut-churning, but this moment is also just the right amount of body horror to drive home just how otherworldlyDeath Stranding 2’s BTs really are.
Death Stranding 2elevates many of the original concepts introduced in the first game. Traversal is easier, thanks to vehicles being given early on, alongside other features like adaptive music, more weapon choices, and even the option to skip boss fights to progress through the story faster.
Death Stranding 2’s Terrifying BTs Further Prove That Kojima Has Plenty of Horror Potential
PTwas made as a teaser for the now-defunctSilent Hills. Never getting aSilent Hillgame from Kojima is a sad reminder, but the game’s cancellation paved the way forDeath Strandingto be possible. He may have never gotten the chance to dive intotheSilent Hillfranchise, but he gets to explore plenty of horror elements with the BTs and their unique designs.
Now that Kojima has been able to experiment with body horror, it will be interesting to see if it influences his upcoming game,OD, in any major way.There isn’t much known aboutODat the moment, but confirmation that the horror title is being co-written by Jordan Peele is an exciting promise of something wonderfully sinister.Death Stranding 2may not be a full-blown horror experience, but it can definitely give body horror fans an unexpected way to scratch that specific itch.
