While the post-doomsday interpretation of America in Death Stranding is certainly terrifying, a disturbing implication to consider is how much the destructive event that caused everything to begin with has also affected the rest of the world. If Kojima Productions is planning to make a return to this devastated world, there are plenty of other locations around the world that can provide an interesting backdrop for the story to continue.
Considering that Death Stranding tasks players with being couriers of various goods, the landscape itself needs to make for both a fascinating vista to marvel at while also providing environmental geometry interesting enough to navigate. Whatever real world location a potential sequel were to emulate, it should be simultaneously gorgeous yet different enough from the mostly rocky terrain of the first game to provide players with a fresh new experience.
Japan
While travelling through a ruined Tokyo would surely be a haunting experience, what would be even more mesmerizing is to see the more rural areas of the country. Mount Fuji alone would be a spectacle to witness, especially if the game allowed the player to climb to its very peak for a delivery mission. Just as Ghost of Tsushima recently proved, the lush and vibrant open fields in the country sides of Japan can be very peaceful to explore and the endless assortment of colors on display within the nature there is a feast for the eyes.
Greece
Greek mythology has inspired many stories over the years including video games from God of War to Immortals Fenyx Rising. One reason for this is, even in modern times, that this southeast European country still boasts dazzling architecture. Even in this hypothetical future with much of its cities destroyed, the many towns and cities to be seen within Greece would still contain an almost otherworldly experience to them, even in a ruined state. Landmarks in Athens or the island of Crete’s sense of mystery and wonder would arguably only be heightened with a post-apocalyptic design, adding to the notion that these are the remnants of a world long gone.
Brazil
Canada
If the sequel goes north instead of south, the Canadian landscape boasts a bevy of open countryside and chilly mountaintops to navigate. The Banff National Park could work as a stunning setting all on its own thanks to the glacial lakes containing some of the bluest water on the entire planet, casting reflections of the endless woods and hilltops that stretch out into the distance. For a more relaxed area, the dense forestry to be found in British Columbia would provide a soothing sense of serenity during the player’s travels. Meanwhile, the multicultural streets of Montreal offer sights and senses representative of a multitude of cultures and beliefs from around the world, giving players little pieces of everywhere in a future of days gone by.
