A Hidden Celebration in the Wasteland
In true Kojima fashion, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach delivers a memorable and humorous surprise for players who log in on their birthday. The game treats them to an unexpected party scene complete with confetti, a piñata, and a birthday cake — though the cake doesn’t last long. A statue suddenly bursts into the room, knocking it over in a moment of chaotic comedy.
But the party doesn’t stop there. Higgs Monaghan soon enters carrying a pizza, setting the stage for a Death Stranding-style rendition of “Happy Birthday.” It’s a strange, endearing break from the otherwise post-apocalyptic tone of the game.
Pizza Candles and Playful Chaos
The cast then joins in a tongue-in-cheek version of the birthday song, singing “Happy birthday to you… Happy birthday, dear someone” — leaving the name intentionally vague in classic Kojima style. Sam Porter Bridges caps off the scene by blowing out candles placed atop the pizza, a surreal but charming twist that fans have come to expect from the series.
This delightful moment is more than just a gag; it’s a nod to a long-running Kojima tradition. The hidden birthday event first appeared in Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain and has since become a fan-favorite Easter egg across his titles.
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How to Trigger the Birthday Scene
To unlock this unique cutscene, players must progress to Chapter 3 and gain access to the DHV Magellan. Only then, and only on the in-game birthday specified at the beginning of the adventure, will the sequence be triggered. According to gaming news source SynthPotato, the game intentionally collects the player’s birthday for this very purpose.
A Lighthearted Moment in a Grim World
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, officially released on June 26, 2025, takes place in a devastated Australia, nearly a year after the original Death Stranding. While the overarching narrative is bleak, focusing on humanity’s struggle to reconnect in a broken world, this birthday cutscene injects a much-needed dose of warmth and absurdity.
It’s a reminder that even in the darkest of timelines, there’s always room for cake, confetti — and pizza with birthday candles.
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