๐ป Music in Death Stranding 2: On The Beach โ Fascinating Details and Insights ๐ง
๐ What Makes the Music in Death Stranding 2 So Unique? Your very own in-game "iPod" โ the personal music player ๐ต One of the new features in Death Stranding 2 is a built-in music player accessible directly from the pause menu. As explained by Woodkid (Yoann Lemoine), a co-composer of the soundtrack, this idea came from Hideo Kojima, who wanted players to craft their own auditory experience while traversing the vast in-game world.
Dynamic music that responds to your actions ๐ถ In Death Stranding 2, the soundtrack shifts based on player behavior. For instance, Woodkidโs track "Minus Sixty One" evolves in real time: drums intensify during sprinting, fade away when stopping, and choosing specific paths triggers piano melodies.
The legacy of Low Roar and fresh talent ๐ค While the iconic soundtrack of the first game was crafted by the Icelandic band Low Roar, the sequel introduces new artists like Gen Hoshino and Caroline Polachek. However, tracks by Ryan Karazija (Low Roarโs vocalist) might still appear โ either reimagined or as archival recordings.
Central themes of the soundtrack: fatherhood, grief, and connection ๐ Woodkid highlights that the music of Death Stranding 2 mirrors the gameโs core themes:
- intimacy and fatherhood, - existential fears (such as environmental collapse), - the duality of human bonds in the age of social media.
A mix of styles: from melancholy to industrial ๐ธ The soundtrack ranges from slow, haunting compositions ("To the Wilder") to gritty industrial tracks ("Tmrrw"), which play during pivotal scenes featuring the character Tomorrow (portrayed by Elle Fanning).
The evolution of "Sound Geography" technology ๐ In the first game, music adapted to the environment, but in DS2, this system has grown even more intricate. For example, Ludvig Forssell (composer of Metal Gear Solid V) worked on ensuring the soundtrack reacts not just to locations but also to emotional story beats.
Cinematic inspirations ๐ฌ Inspired by films like Blade Runner 2049, Kojima aims to weave music into the narrative. Orchestral elements in Death Stranding 2 may echo the powerful, atmospheric works of Hans Zimmer.
๐ถ Final Thoughts Death Stranding 2: On The Beach continues the tradition of deeply integrating music into gameplay and storytelling. From dynamic compositions to the personal music player, every element enhances immersion.
(The video includes clips from Death Stranding 2: On The Beach trailers. All rights belong to Kojima Productions and Sony Interactive Entertainment.
