On March 9, Hideo Kojima surprised the world at the South by Southwest event by unveiling the launch trailer for the highly anticipated Death Stranding 2: On the Beach. The sequel to one of his most experimental works will hit the market nearly six years after the original title debuted on PlayStation 4. The presentation video runs for about ten minutes and, as expected, is a true showcase of creativity, top-tier graphics, outstanding music, exceptional dialogue, and artistic direction worthy of praise.
The Japanese creator has accustomed us to projects of the highest quality, rivaling cinematic productions and full of peculiarities that we could call his trademark. Unsurprisingly, the trailer is packed with “kojimadas,” those eccentric touches that have earned him the heart of most gaming enthusiasts and the title of a creative mastermind, both inside and outside the industry.
The Death Stranding Trailer References Metal Gear
One of the details in the trailer that did not go unnoticed was the clear reference to Solid Snake. Towards the end of the trailer, we see the character played by Italian actor Luca Marinelli putting on a bandana, and the resemblance to Konami’s classic character is undeniable.
Additionally, there’s a moment when one of the characters takes control of a giant monster and places a huge mechanical structure, seemingly a type of ship, on its head. This structure bears a remarkably similar appearance to the Metal Gear Rex.
When Will Death Stranding 2: On the Beach Be Released?
The continuation of Sam Porter Bridges’ adventures now has a release date. It will launch on PlayStation 5 on June 26, with early access available on June 24 for those who pre-ordered the more expensive editions of the game.
What Editions Will the Game Have and How Much Do They Cost?
The game will be available in both digital and physical formats, with three different editions offering progressively more content.
Standard Edition
The most basic edition costs 80€ / 70 USD in both physical and digital formats. Pre-ordering it before release grants the following in-game rewards:
- Quokka hologram
- Combat exoskeleton (Silver, lv. 1, lv. 2, lv. 3)
- Enhanced exoskeleton (Silver, lv. 1, lv. 2, lv. 3)
- Bokka exoskeleton (Silver, lv. 1, lv. 2, lv. 3)
Digital Deluxe Edition
The deluxe digital edition costs 90€ / 80 USD. Pre-ordering it includes all the benefits of the Standard Edition, plus the following:
- Full game digital download
- 48 hours of early access to the game
- Exclusive in-game items:
- Machine Gun (MU rounds, lv. 1), early unlock
- Combat exoskeleton (Gold, lv. 1, lv. 2, lv. 3)
- Enhanced exoskeleton (Gold, lv. 1, lv. 2, lv. 3)
- Bokka exoskeleton (Gold, lv. 1, lv. 2, lv. 3)
- Patch: Quokka
- Patch: Chiral Feline
- Patch: “Why Me?”
Collector’s Edition
The most comprehensive and expensive version, at 250€ / 230 USD, includes everything above along with exclusive collectibles:
- Full game digital download
- 48 hours of early access to the game
- Collector’s box
- 38 cm Magellan Man statue
- 7.62 cm Dollman figure
- Illustrated cards
- Letter from Hideo Kojima
- Additional in-game items:
- Machine Gun (MU rounds, lv. 1), early unlock
- Combat exoskeleton (Gold, lv. 1, lv. 2, lv. 3)
- Enhanced exoskeleton (Gold, lv. 1, lv. 2, lv. 3)
- Bokka exoskeleton (Gold, lv. 1, lv. 2, lv. 3)
- Patch: Quokka
- Patch: Chiral Feline
- Patch: “Why Me?”
When Can You Pre-Order?
PlayStation 5 users will be able to pre-order the game from the official store starting March 17. For now, the game is a Sony console exclusive, but it’s expected to release on more platforms later, just like its predecessor.