Summary
Despite several minutes ofDeath Stranding 2: On the Beachfootage being currently available, there are still plenty of questions to be answered, including how the first game’s major characters went from where they were at the end of its story to where they are in the sequel. This info isn’t likely to be revealed untilDeath Stranding 2finally launches, but it’s still important to know where each of the first game’s major characters are at the end ofDeath Stranding, since many of them do return in the sequel.
Only a handful ofDeath Stranding’s biggest charactershave been confirmed to return inDeath Stranding 2: On the Beach, including Sam, Fragile, Higgs, Deadman, and Heartman. By looking at where each of these characters are at the conclusion ofDeath Stranding, fans can potentially get some context for their role in the sequel.
Sam Is Off the Grid, Raising Lou
WhileDeath Stranding 2’s footageshows Sam being called back into action for some reason, after the events of the first game, he essentially went “off the grid” with Lou, determined to live a life of solitude and devote his time, energy, and attention to raising Lou. After successfully reconnecting America through the Chiral Network and confronting the threats posed by the Death Stranding, Sam stepped away from Bridges, effectively disconnecting himself from the responsibilities that once defined him. However, since Sam is not only a repatriate with unique abilities but also one of the key figures in the events of the first game’s story, it was only a matter of time before he was drawn back into another conflict.
Fragile Has Been Leading and Rebuilding Fragile Express
Fragile’s story inDeath Stranding 2is also one that is a bit clearer than some of the first game’s other major characters, but her status at the end ofDeath Strandingshows her beginning to rebuild her father’s delivery company, Fragile Express, after she was betrayed by Higgs and the company was left in disarray. Higgs' betrayal ultimately tarnished Fragile’s reputation, painting her as a traitor to the people she desired to help. Fortunately, her partnership with Sam in reconnecting America helped redeem her, positioning her to lead Fragile Express once again. Now, inDeath Stranding 2, she appears to be the leader of a company called “Drawbridge,” which suggests she has expanded Fragile Express, but it could also mean something else entirely.
Higgs Is Exiled on the Beach
The main antagonist in the firstDeath Stranding,Higgs Monaghan, appears to be returning inDeath Stranding 2, though there’s no current way of knowing how. This is due in large part to the fact that Higgs was exiled to the Beach by Fragile after his defeat inDeath Stranding, so the sequel will need to explain how he manages to escape the Beach. While he was defeated, Fragile chose not to kill Higgs and instead to allow him to live with the consequences of his actions, hence his exile. However, Higgs does have extensive knowledge of the Beach, which may pave the way for his return.
Deadman Has Presumably Been Continuing His Work With Bridges
Deadman is another ofDeath Stranding’s major characters that has been confirmed to return inDeath Stranding 2, though his status after the events of the first game is not as extreme as, say,Sam and Fragile. In the firstDeath Stranding, Deadman played a pivotal role in guiding Sam through both the emotional and practical challenges he faced, and he also provided technical support, insight into Lou’s condition, and information about the Death Stranding. In short, he was a mentor of sorts for Sam. At the end ofDeath Stranding, he seems to still be working at Bridges, maintaining the network that Sam helped build.
It’s possible Sam and Fragile will call on Deadman for assistance inDeath Stranding 2.
Heartman Has Likely Still Been Researching the Death Stranding
Like Deadman, Heartman is another ofDeath Stranding’s major characters confirmed to play a part inDeath Stranding 2’s story, whose status is fairly consistent with the role he played in the first game. InDeath Stranding, Heartman’s commitment is studying the Death Stranding, the Beach, and theChiral Network, and it seems he remains committed to that at the end of the game, whether working at Bridges or independently. As such, it’s likely Heartman will be called upon inDeath Stranding 2for his expertise on those subjects.
