Hideo Kojima’s Death Stranding is filled with intricate storytelling, cryptic world-building, and countless Easter eggs referencing pop culture, movies, and his past works. If you’ve been traversing the post-apocalyptic landscape, delivering packages, and avoiding BTs, you’ve likely stumbled upon some hidden secrets. But in true Kojima fashion, many details go unnoticed. This guide compiles the most intriguing Easter eggs, secrets, and references scattered throughout Death Stranding.
1. Celebrity Cameos Hidden in the World
Kojima’s penchant for celebrity connections is well known, and Death Stranding features multiple real-world figures scanned into the game. You can find and deliver cargo to Conan O’Brien (as a cosplayer), Edgar Wright, Jordan Vogt-Roberts (film director), Sam Lake (Max Payne creator), and even Kojima’s friend, Geoff Keighley, as the Luden’s Fan.
Several other Japanese actors and personalities also make appearances, so keep your eyes peeled for recognizable facesduring your deliveries.
2. BB’s Heart-Shaped Bubbles
If you’re playing in 4K resolution, you might notice a cute detail when looking closely at BB’s pod. Depending on BB’s mood and who they’re looking at, you’ll see heart-shaped bubbles rising inside the fluid. This subtle but charming visual touch adds to BB’s growing connection with Sam and the world around them.
3. Silent Hills Lives On
Kojima’s canceled Silent Hills (P.T.) left a void for horror fans, but he still managed to sneak in a tribute. Early in the game, Capital Knot City features a street layout that is nearly identical to the one seen in P.T., hinting at what could have been.
Additionally, Junji Ito, who was involved in the Silent Hills project, makes an appearance in the game as well.
4. The Rope and the Stick – Kobo Abe’s Influence
At the start of Death Stranding, a quote from Kobo Abe’s poem Noir discusses the ideas of the rope and the stick, two concepts central to the game’s mechanics. Kojima has long cited Abe’s work as an influence, with references dating back to Metal Gear Solid and even the box-wearing mechanic in the series being inspired by Abe’s novel The Box Man.
5. Metal Gear Solid Callbacks
Kojima can’t resist referencing Metal Gear Solid, and Death Stranding is packed with nods to his previous franchise:
- “What took you so long?” – A recurring phrase in Kojima’s games, originally spoken by Snake in Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes and repeated here by Mama after your first delivery.
- Codec Calls – While more basic in Death Stranding, the holographic calls echo the signature Codec system from MGS.
- Dwarf Geckos – The delivery bots resemble the annoying Dwarf Geckos from Metal Gear Solid 4.
- Mule Alerts and “Mission Failed” Lines – If you get spotted, Die-Hardman remarks, “If this were a spy mission, you’d have failed.” A clear reference to MGS’s stealth mechanics.
6. Breaking the Fourth Wall – Higgs and the Grind
During one of your early encounters with Higgs, he taunts Sam with the line, “Aren’t you tired of the grind?” This seems like an intentional jab at players who find Death Stranding’s gameplay repetitive. Kojima anticipated the divisive reception and cheekily inserted this moment to address potential critics.
7. Deadman’s Pop Culture Ramblings
Deadman, modeled after Guillermo del Toro, frequently drops pop culture references:
- He calls himself “Your friendly neighborhood Deadman”, a Spider-Man reference.
- He name-drops The Shape of Water, a nod to del Toro’s Oscar-winning film.
- His Frankenstein-esque head scar might be a reference to del Toro’s long-time ambition to direct a Frankenstein movie.
8. Facebook and the Social Media “Like” System
Death Stranding’s asynchronous multiplayer system allows players to leave structures, ladders, and messages for others, but the way players give and receive “Likes” is oddly familiar. The blue and white UI color scheme of the like systemresembles Facebook’s branding, offering a possible critique of social media’s obsession with validation.
9. The Game Over Screen Tribute
At one point, Deadman explains that a voidout will cause a game over, with the words “GAME OVER” appearing on-screen in a font highly reminiscent of the old Metal Gear Solid game over screen. It’s a fun nod to Kojima’s gaming legacy.
10. Sam’s Suit Number – A Dark Bible Reference
Sam’s suit has a peculiar number sequence: 0914-137. This is believed to reference Psalm 137:9, a dark and disturbing biblical verse. Given the game’s themes of loss, destruction, and rebirth, this reference feels eerily fitting.
11. Norman Reedus Hates Crotch Staring
While resting in Sam’s private room, players can move the camera freely. However, if you focus on Sam’s crotch for too long, he will eventually flip off the camera or even punch it in frustration.
Additionally, if you attempt to rotate the camera while Sam is urinating outside, BB will start crying, and the game won’t let you peek at Sam’s front. Kojima truly thought of everything.
12. Memory Chips – Pop Culture Time Capsules
Scattered throughout the world are 56 Memory Chips, each containing references to pop culture and gaming history. Some highlights include:
- Soundtracks from God of War (2018)
- Posters for classic movies like Seven Samurai, Fright Night, Big Fish, and Dr. Strangelove
- Scale models of Kojima Productions figures
13. The Hidden Release Date in the Logo
A wild theory suggests that Death Stranding’s title logo contained the release date all along. The logo featured eight strands attached to eleven letters—and the game was released on November 8th (11/8). While this could be a coincidence, Kojima has been known for sneaky hints, so it wouldn’t be surprising if this was intentional.
Final Thoughts: How Many Have You Found?
Death Stranding is packed with hidden secrets, nods to Kojima’s past, and tributes to pop culture. Whether it’s Metal Gear callbacks, Silent Hills remnants, or a sly critique of social media, there’s always something deeper beneath the surface.
Have you found any other hidden secrets in Death Stranding? Let us know, and as always—Keep on keeping on.
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