Summary
ODis an upcoming horror game developed by Kojima Productions and written by the creative minds of Hideo Kojima and horror film director Jordan Peele. While not much is known about it at the moment, according to Kojima,ODwill be a “totally new style of game — or rather, a new form of media.” In light of this, it’s safe to say thatODwill be about as strange as Kojima’s last IP,Death Stranding. However, unlikeDeath Stranding,ODmay actually be able to pull off its weirdness, assuming it is as bizarre as it is expected to be.
The main thing that separatesODfromDeath Strandingis thatODis a self-proclaimed horror title, whereasDeath Strandingis just an outlandish action game with horror elements occasionally sprinkled in. Kojima is known for making odd games and even unashamedly embraces the habit when asked why he prefers it.Death Strandingpushes Kojima’s signature to the point that it has proven to be one of the best examples of a polarizing game — players either love it or hate it — primarily due to its unconventional approach to storytelling and gameplay. DespiteDeath Stranding’s divisiveness, Kojima’s trademark weirdness may find a better home inOD, all thanks to its genre.
OD’s Weirdness May Be More Accepted Than Death Stranding’s
Death Stranding Is Unconventional on Multiple Fronts
Death Strandingtechnically belongs to the action genre, but its “action” moments are actually few and far between. For the most part,Death Strandingis more or less a delivery game, as it tasks players with connecting post-apocalyptic isolated American cities by making deliveries and connecting them to the Chiral Network. This is ultimately one of the main features that has divided gamers, with many even labeling it a glorified walking simulator. However, it is also a blatant testament to Kojima’s unconventional approach to gameplay and a clear representation of his signature weirdness.
Apart fromDeath Stranding’s strange gameplay, its lore and visuals are among its most eccentric characteristics. Firstly,Death Strandingis so namedfor the cataclysmic event of the same name that has ravaged the world, accompanied by a unique rain-like weather phenomenon called Timefall that causes the rapid aging and deterioration of everything it touches.
Secondly, the protagonist, Sam, carries with him aBB (Bridge Baby), which is an actual newborn baby that was removed from the womb of a brain-dead mother. When Sam physically connects to his BB, he is able to sense nearby BTs (Beached Things), the otherwise imperceptible enemies scattered throughoutDeath Stranding’s world. All of these elements have unequivocally contributed toDeath Stranding’s polarized reception, but also serve as major reasons why it has been so praised by the side that has received it.
OD’s Anticipated Weirdness May Better Suit Its Genre
As a Kojima title,ODis almost guaranteed to be tremendously strange. In fact,OD’s first trailer, which premiered at the 2023 Game Awards ceremony, has been deemed somehow “stranger than Death Stranding’s.” That being said,OD’s horror identity may be a better home for Kojima’s bizarre ideas, simply because products of the horror genre are often weird anyway. Unusual ideas and grotesque visuals are typically a necessary prerequisite for horror stories, which simultaneously meansODmay not be as divisive asDeath Strandinghas been, especially with horror fans.
The release date forODis currently unknown, so it’s also unclear what stage of development it is in. Regardless, another weird title from Hideo Kojima is on its way, though it may prove to be less controversial than his last title,Death Stranding, due to its full embrace of the horror genre.
