Death Stranding 2 Trailer Unveils Release Date, Gameplay, and Metal Gear Influences

Hideo Kojima took to the stage at SXSW 2025 in Austin, TX, to unveil an exciting new trailer for Death Stranding 2: On the Beach and to announce the game's release date.

Death Stranding 2 is set to launch on June 26, 2025, exclusively for the PlayStation 5. However, players who opt for the Digital Deluxe Edition or the Collector’s Edition will enjoy early access starting from June 24.

The trailer, which spans 10 minutes, showcases a mix of cinematic scenes, gameplay snippets, and introduces a character that fans are already comparing to Snake from Kojima's renowned Metal Gear series.

This character, Neil, portrayed by Italian actor Luca Marinelli, dons a bandana reminiscent of Snake and leads a squad of eerie soldiers. Neil appears to be a formidable soldier, equipped with an assault rifle.

The trailer also teases more Metal Gear influences with the introduction of the Magellan Man, a massive tar-like entity fused with the DHV Magellan, reminiscent of Metal Gear Rex. A 15" statue of the Magellan Man comes with the Collector's Edition. This creature operates similarly to a mech from Pacific Rim and battles against gigantic tar monsters.

The standard edition of Death Stranding 2 is priced at $69.99, while the Collector's Edition will cost $229.99. The Digital Deluxe Edition is available for $79.99. Pre-orders kick off on March 17.

Continuing the narrative from the 2019 Death Stranding, Death Stranding 2 poses the poignant question, 'Should We Have Connected?' Here's the official synopsis:

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.