Hideo Kojima unveiled an epic new trailer for Death Stranding 2: On the Beach at SXSW 2025 in Austin, Texas, complete with a confirmed release date.

Death Stranding 2 launches exclusively on PlayStation 5 on June 26, 2025. Digital Deluxe and Collector's Edition purchasers enjoy two days of early access, starting June 24th.

The 10-minute trailer (below) showcases stunning cinematics, gameplay glimpses, and a character sparking intense speculation: a striking resemblance to Snake from the Metal Gear franchise.

Luca Marinelli portrays Neil, a character who sports a bandana reminiscent of Snake and leads a squad of unsettling soldiers, wielding an assault rifle. His soldier-like appearance fuels the *Metal Gear* comparisons.

Further fueling the Metal Gear connection is the Magellan Man, a colossal tar-like creature fused with the DHV Magellan, bearing a resemblance to Metal Gear Rex. (A 15" Magellan Man statue is included in the Collector's Edition.) This behemoth appears to function as a Pacific Rim-style mech, battling enormous, grotesque tar monsters.

The standard edition of Death Stranding 2 is priced at $69.99. The Collector's Edition is $229.99, and the Digital Deluxe Edition is $79.99. Pre-orders open March 17th.

A sequel to 2019's Death Stranding, Death Stranding 2 poses the compelling question, "Should We Have Connected?" The official synopsis reads:

Embark on an inspiring mission of human connection beyond the UCA. Sam, alongside his companions, embarks on a new journey to save humanity from extinction. Join them as they navigate a world teeming with otherworldly enemies, obstacles, and a haunting question: should we have connected? Step by step, legendary game creator Hideo Kojima reshapes the world once more.