The evening before interviewing composer Ludvig Forsell I finally finished Death Stranding 2 after tens of hours of play. It was a spectacular finale that left me brimming with musical questions
Forsell described that particular finale sequence as his “pièce de résistance” in Death Stranding 2, a chance to create an Alan Wake 2 moment. But it’s also exemplary of how music and gameplay combine to form the musical identity of the game.
The first game’s mournful tone and Icelandic environments were captured in the music of Low Roar – whose lead singer Ryan Karazija passed away after the game’s release – in addition to Forsell’s dramatic score. For the sequel, Forsell returned, now with additional music from Woodkid and a whole playlist of Kojima’s favourite tracks. The more varied and dynamic gameplay of the sequel is therefore matched by its soundtrack.