Through the Demise Stranding 2: On the Seashore particular panel at SXSW 2025, director Hideo Kojima has pre-emptively apologised for a way loopy Higgs will probably be as a personality within the recreation. Through the panel, Kojima described Higgs (performed by Troy Baker as soon as extra), as a personality that’s 100 occasions higher than how he was within the unique Demise Stranding.
“Higgs is just not like twice or thrice higher – it’s 100 occasions higher than DS1,” mentioned Kojima. “So on the finish, you’re gonna watch Higgs and say ‘what is that this?’ And also you’ll most likely throw the controller, it’s so ridiculous. I’ll apologize beforehand.”
Baker, acknowledging the craziness of the character, responded by saying “mission achieved should you do.”
Kojima went on to speak about how the choice to deliver Higgs again in Demise Stranding 2: On the Seashore happened due to the recognition of the character from the unique Demise Stranding. He talked about that, since Higgs ended up being such a beloved character, the ante must be raised by a number of steps for the sequel.
“Higgs was so common final time I believed ‘I can’t kill him,’” Kojima defined. “So he’s coming again, apparently. However Higgs is just not a standard villain. He’s a cherished character. So I believed I’d elevate two, three steps larger for this character.”
Baker additionally spoke about reprising the function of Higgs for Demise Stranding 2: On the Seashore, speaking concerning the numerous characters within the recreation and the way all of the actors try to realize Kojima’s imaginative and prescient for the sport.
“Particularly while you’re making a world like Hideo is doing, everyone is simply attempting to hit the world that’s up in that head,” mentioned Baker whereas pointing at Kojima. “It’s a mind-blowing world with mind-blowing characters, and all we have now to do is simply play it beat to beat and scene to scene.”
The identical panel at SXSW 2025 additionally noticed the discharge of a brand new trailer for Demise Stranding 2: On the Seashore, which additionally revealed that the sport could be coming to PS5 on June 26. Alongside this, the trailer additionally gave us a prolonged have a look at the seemingly-insane story of Demise Stranding 2, whereas additionally introducing us to new threats and characters.
One of many new characters launched to us because of the latest trailer was Neil, performed by Luca Marinelli. In a social media submit, Kojima revealed particulars on how he got here to satisfy Marinelli, and the way the choice to forged him for the character happened. Kojima additionally revealed that the character, Neil, will play an analogous function as Mads Mikkelsen’s character Cliff from the unique Demise Stranding.
A live performance tour celebrating the music of Demise Stranding was additionally introduced. Dubbed the Strands of Concord World Tour, tickets for the concert events are set to grow to be accessible from March 12 onwards. The primary leg of the live performance will kick issues off in Sydney, Australia in November, earlier than finally coming to Canada with performances in Montreal and Toronto in March 2026.
