Kojima ProductionsDeath Stranding 2 was unveiled at The Game Awards 2022 and Kojima Productions has been hard at work ever since. With the highly-anticipated sequel now drawing near, here’s the full rundown on all there is to know.
The Game Awards 2022 was jam-packed with exciting reveals and announcements as fans got a first look at plenty of huge games set to dominate the zeitgeist.
Among the biggest surprises was the announcement of Death Stranding 2, the follow-up to Hideo Kojima’s apocalyptic 2019 PlayStation-exclusive title. Porters around the globe are eager to see where Sam Bridges’ story takes him next, and what having ‘Tomorrow’ in your hands really means.
With new features, characters, and more already revealed for the sequel, there is much to be excited about. As such, we’ve put together everything we know about Death Stranding 2 ahead of its launch.
Kojima ProductionsDeath Stranding 2 release date
The Death Stranding sequel will launch on PS5 on June 26, 2025, Kojima announced during SXSW. Pre-orders will officially begin on March 17 at 10:00 AM local time.
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach platforms
Death Stranding 2 is set to launch exclusively on PS5. The first installment was a popular Sony exclusive, so it’s no surprise to see Kojima doubling down on the latest hardware, but it does mean that those still on PS4 will miss out this time around.
Death Stranding’s Director’s Cut eventually made its way to Xbox Series X | S as well. Although fans can’t expect the sequel to be on Microsoft’s systems at launch, there’s every chance it will arrive later down the line.
The original also came to PC a year after release and then Mac / iOS devices in 2024, so there’s a good chance that Death Stranding 2 will follow the same pattern at least with PC.
Collector’s Editions and Pre-Order Bonuses
In addition to a Standard Edition priced at $69.99, the Death Stranding follow-up will launch with two special editions for fans to grab – a Collector’s Edition and Digital Deluxe Edition.
SonyFor $229.99, the Collector’s version will feature several physical items such as a 15-inch Magellan Man statue, as well as various in-game extras. The full contents include:
- Full Game Digital Download
- 48-hour Early Access to the game
- Collector’s Box
- 15” Magellan Man Statue
- 3” Dollman figurine
- Art cards
- Letter from Hideo Kojima
- In-game items
- Machine Gun (MP Bullets) LV1 early unlock
- Battle Skeleton: Gold (LV1, LV2, LV3)
- Boost Skeleton: Gold (LV1, LV2, LV3)
- Bokka Skeleton: Gold (LV1, LV2, LV3)
- Quokka Patch
- Chiral Feline Patch
- Why Me? Patch
SonyDeath Stranding 2’s Digital Deluxe Edition will cost $79.99, promising early access and more. This version’s contents include:
- Full Game Digital Download
- 48-hour Early Access to the game
- In-game items
- Machine Gun (MP Bullets) LV1 early unlock
- Battle Skeleton: Gold (LV1, LV2, LV3)
- Boost Skeleton: Gold (LV1, LV2, LV3)
- Bokka Skeleton: Gold (LV1, LV2, LV3)
- Quokka Patch
- Chiral Feline Patch
- Why Me? Patch
Pre-ordering either version – the Standard included – will net players access to the following in-game items:
- Quokka Hologram
- Battle Skeleton: Silver (LV1, LV2, LV3)
- Boost Skeleton: Silver (LV1, LV2, LV3)
- Bokka Skeleton: Silver (LV1, LV2, LV3)
Story details: What will the sequel be about?
Based on the footage already seen from the game, Death Stranding 2 appears to be a direct sequel taking place years later. An older and greyer Sam Bridges, played again by Norman Reedus, will also return as the sequel’s main protagonist.
The official synopsis for Death Stranding 2: On the Beach reads as follows:
“Embark on an inspiring mission of human connection beyond the UCA. Sam—with companions by his side—sets out on a new journey to save humanity from extinction. Join them as they traverse a world beset by otherworldly enemies, obstacles, and a haunting question: should we have connected? Step by step, legendary game creator Hideo Kojima changes the world once again.”
Death Stranding 2 gameplay
From the gameplay we’ve seen of Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, we can confirm that combat and traversal mirror that of the original title, though obviously with plenty of new bells and whistles attached.
YouTube: PlayStationAs expected, there will be lots of walking and climbing but across a much more vast range of environments than the first game. Weather changes appear to be a significant shift for the sequel, with flash floods, landslides, and other environmental challenges set to alter how you traverse the world.
Given that one of the main criticisms of the first game was the slow pacing, the sequel is already looking much more action-packed.
While very little has been revealed about combat, we have seen the introduction of a new type of robotic enemy, which will undoubtedly shake things up compared to the human enemies from the first game.
An extensive Photo Mode feature
Kojima is known for pushing boundaries and with Death Stranding 2, the acclaimed gaming dev is looking to once again reinvent things with a photo mode unlike any we’ve seen before.
Kojima ProductionDuring the Toyko Games show, fans were treated to a new look at Death Stranding 2. Of all the things revealed, the photo mode feature was by far the biggest takeaway. Typically, the photo mode in a game freezes time, allowing players to grab a quick pic of the luscious environment or a cool snap of their character.
However, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach will take things multiple steps further, with the in-game photo mode allowing players to take Polaroid pics of characters sticking funny poses and smiling right for the camera.
You can zoom in and out of frame, pick how focused you want the shot to be, and even make it as overexposed as you like.
Death Stranding 2 trailers
Kojima Productions has not shied away from dropping multiple trailers, both cinematic and gameplay-focused, to give players a taste of what to expect from the sequel.
Below is the initial teaser trailer for the game and the fleshed-out footage that dropped during the January 31, 2024, State of Play.
The State of Play reveal also confirmed a major detail: Troy Baker’s Higgs Monaghan will return for the sequel. This revelation shocked many, especially those who played the first game and knew Monaghan’s fate.
During SXSW 2025, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach received a Pre-Order Trailer featuring 10 minutes of new footage.
Be sure to check back in with this article as we update it with all the latest Death Stranding 2: On the Beach details.
