While Easter eggs are fairly common in gaming, Hideo Kojima is one of those developers fans can expect plenty of Easter eggs from in just about any game, regardless of its genre, tone, or relevance. The same goes for one of his most recent games,Death Stranding, which included a subtle reference toP.T., a legendary interactive demo intended as a teaser for anew installment in theSilent Hillfranchise,Silent Hills. The project was ultimately canceled, butP.T.’s influence can still be felt inDeath Stranding, and the same could eventually be said of its sequel,Death Stranding 2: On the Beach.
One of the clearest references toP.T.inDeath Strandingis a radio broadcast that can be heard during gameplay, which is reminiscent of the radio transmission heard during the first several minutes ofP.T.During the radio broadcast inDeath Stranding, players hear a DJ mention “a string of mysterious deaths” and a man turning himself in to the police, both of which are callbacks toP.T.’s narrative. Now, looking ahead toDeath Stranding 2, althoughP.T.is a very short horror experience, there is still another icon the sequel could reference from the teaser, and it could do so in both a nostalgic and humorous way if it tried.
Death Stranding 2 Should Feature P.T.’s Talking Paper Bag
The Paper Bag Would Be Another Great Death Stranding Reference to P.T.
There are plenty of memorable moments inP.T.’s short playtime of nearly half an hour, but one of them stands out more than many others: a mysterious talking paper bag that players encounter about three quarters of the way through the game. The bag, filled with what appears to be black blood, speaks to the player upon the encounter, delivering some cryptic message about another reality and the danger it poses. The black goo alone is enough to connect it to the black appearance ofTimefall inDeath Stranding, thereby making it a perfectP.T.Easter egg forDeath Stranding 2.
Death Stranding 2 Could Incorporate the Paper Bag in Some Creative Ways
There are also some creative waysDeath Stranding 2could incorporate the paper bag into its gameplay, especially considering the firstgame’s penchant for dark humorthat the sequel is likely to honor. Firstly, it would be interesting to see the paper bag fromP.T.become a piece of cargo Sam is tasked with transporting, as it could then potentially speak to Sam during his journey for what could be a lightly humorous conversation. If it didn’t speak directly to Sam, it could emit unsettling sounds, like the faint cries of a baby or whispers, much like the eerie ambiance inP.T.
There are plenty of memorable moments inP.T.’s short playtime of nearly half an hour, but one of them stands out more than many others: a mysterious talking paper bag that players encounter about three quarters of the way through the game.
On a more humorous note, the paper bag would make a great cosmetic item for Sam to wear inDeath Stranding 2. One of the silliest cosmetic items from the firstDeath Strandingis the Otter Hood, which is given to Sam by none other than a Conan O’Brien cameo, and since he’s set to reappear inDeath Stranding 2, perhaps the paper bag could be his gift to Sam this time. Sam could then wear the paper bag on his head, just as he does the Otter Hood inDeath Stranding, bringing a little bit of lighthearted humor to players' journey through the next story.
IncorporatingP.T.’s paper bag intoDeath Stranding 2would not only pay homage to one ofKojima’s best creationsbut also potentially highlight his skillful ability at blending horror and humor. Whether as a piece of cargo, an unsettling companion, or what could be a hilarious cosmetic item, the paper bag offers a perfect opportunity to create yet another connection toP.T.in theDeath Strandinguniverse.
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
WHERE TO PLAY
Embark on an inspiring mission of human connection beyond the UCA. Sam—with companions by his side—sets out on a new journey to save humanity from extinction. Join them as they traverse a world beset by otherworldly enemies, obstacles and a haunting question: should we have connected? Step by step, legendary game creator Hideo Kojima changes the world once again.
