Death Stranding 2 Fan Finds Potential Real-Life Inspiration for Key Scene

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A fan of the game “Death Stranding 2” has posted pictures suggesting a possible real-world location that might have served as inspiration for a significant scene in the game. The sequel to the popular title, “Death Stranding 2,” was released on PlayStation 5, marking the latest creation from esteemed developer Hideo Kojima and his company, Kojima Productions.

The sequel to “Death Stranding,” titled “Death Stranding 2,” is already generating significant acclaim across the review circuit, making it one of the most highly praised games of 2025 thus far. This game builds upon and extends the vision of “Death Stranding,” showcasing the unique creative leanings of its creators. It is richly layered with cinematic sequences, thought-provoking philosophical themes, and innovative gameplay mechanics that seamlessly blend experimental elements with the high-quality production standards expected from a top-tier triple-A game. Eleven months after the original storyline, “Death Stranding 2” continues the narrative of the character Sam, as its early chapters see him journeying south from his home in what used to be the United States, into Mexico.

One daring fan, known as PangTemujin on Reddit, appears to have discovered a location that could potentially serve as the inspiration for some initial chapters of Death Stranding 2. In a collection of photos posted on the Death Stranding subreddit, PangTemujin showcased the landscape of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park in California. These images capture the barren expanse of the park, which shares a striking resemblance with the opening mission of Death Stranding 2, where the character Sam must traverse a dry desert ridge and cross a river to make his way back home with his baby Lou.

Death Stranding 2 Fan Shows Off California Park That Might Have Inspired the Game

Despite being purely fictional games set in worlds detached from our own reality, Death Stranding and its sequel have an impressive knack for capturing the breathtaking beauty found in many open-world games through their artistic design. The original game drew inspiration from Iceland’s cold landscapes to create a vision of America, and it’s possible that Kojima Productions may have been inspired by the desolate Colorado Badlands (which includes Anza-Borrego) when envisioning Mexico for Death Stranding 2.

Enthusiasts were thrilled by PangTemujin’s pictures, noting the resemblances and even mentioning how one image almost exactly mirrors the viewpoint of the Death Stranding 2 opening scene, overlooking the rain-carved hills in a desert. Some gamers playfully cautioned PangTemujin and other prospective Anza-Borrego tourists about potential dangers such as flash floods, BT invasions, and keeping an eye out for golden Chiral Creatures.

Excitedly diving into Death Stranding 2 as a fan, it’s a blast witnessing fellow gamers uncover fresh mysteries and draw connections to its real-life influences. With an ever-growing community of players, I can’t wait to see what other fascinating discoveries will surface in the game in the coming days!

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2025-07-05 20:08