Hideo Kojima is no stranger to bizarre, thought-provoking, and unforgettable design choices and Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is already living up to that legacy. Among the many cryptic and fascinating moments revealed in its trailers, one detail has caught the attention of both fans and newcomers alike: a futuristic battle guitar.
Yes, you read that right. In a game known for parcel deliveries, rain that accelerates time, and ghostly figures, we’re now getting a guitar as a melee weapon and it looks awesome.
In a recent trailer for Death Stranding 2, we see Higgs the villain from the original game returning in style. Not only does he look more dangerous than ever, but he’s seen wielding what appears to be a high-tech guitar-like weapon.
The guitar isn’t just for show. In a brief but intense moment, Higgs uses it in close combat, striking enemies with power and rhythm. While we haven’t seen full gameplay footage of how this battle guitar functions, it’s clearly designed to be a melee weapon and possibly more.
Some fans have speculated that it might also emit sound-based attacks or special effects. Knowing Kojima’s unpredictable design philosophy, it wouldn’t be surprising if the guitar had dual purposes perhaps combining music, energy pulses, or even psychological effects on enemies.
If you’ve followed Hideo Kojima’s work over the years from Metal Gear Solid to Death Stranding you know that he loves blending cinematic spectacle with strange, genre-defying mechanics. A battle guitar might seem absurd in any other AAA title, but in Death Stranding’s surreal post-apocalyptic world, it fits right in.
Weapons in the first game were already unconventional like blood-based grenades and bola guns. Adding a weapon that looks and functions like a guitar continues Kojima Productions’ trend of pushing creative boundaries in video game design.
The reappearance of Higgs in Death Stranding 2 raises several questions. He was presumed defeated at the end of the first game, but now he’s back, rocking a new look and clearly more dangerous.
The trailer shows Higgs strumming the guitar before engaging in melee combat, suggesting this isn’t just a weapon it’s part of his persona. Could music or rhythm-based mechanics become part of boss battles? Could we see musical cues or guitar-powered special moves?
If so, Higgs may evolve from a mysterious antagonist into one of the most stylish and memorable villains in gaming.
Kojima Productions and PlayStation Studios have officially announced that Death Stranding 2: On the Beach will be released on June 26, 2025. The game will launch exclusively for PlayStation 5, with rumors of a PC version to follow later.
With its unique tone, cinematic approach, and star-studded cast including Norman Reedus, Léa Seydoux, and Troy Baker Death Stranding 2 is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated releases of the year.
Apart from the battle guitar, the trailers have shown several other major changes and additions to the game:
A more refined combat system appears to be in place.
There's an increased focus on teamwork and coordination, hinting at co-op or AI companions.
We see new terrain types, vehicles, and enemy designs.
Themes around reconnection and resistance remain central to the plot.
While Kojima has stayed cryptic about the full narrative, the tone feels more urgent, more dangerous, and somehow even more weird which is exactly what fans hoped for.
The introduction of a battle guitar in Death Stranding 2 is exactly the kind of weird-yet-brilliant move we've come to expect from Hideo Kojima. It’s not just a quirky detail—it’s a symbol of the game’s tone: unpredictable, ambitious, and unafraid to challenge norms.
Whether it's used for stylish takedowns, rhythm-based gameplay, or just as a blunt-force instrument of chaos, the battle guitar has already carved out its place as one of the most talked-about features of the game’s upcoming release.
With June 26 approaching fast, one thing is clear: Death Stranding 2 will once again reshape what we expect from storytelling, combat, and world-building in modern gaming.