Sony’s updated its official PlayStation.com page for Death Stranding 2: On the Beach days before Hideo Kojima’s panel at SXSW. While it’s all very vague, the descriptions do give us some firmer details about what we can expect from the PS5 exclusive when it launches later this year.
“Sam – with companions by his side – sets out on a new journey to save humanity from extinction,” the blurb reads. “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.”
Later on, the description mentions that the sequel’s “large open world environments” will be “incredibly varied and pose unique challenges to navigate”. It adds that you’ll have the freedom to approach each combat encounter how you please, whether that’s through stealth or all-out attack.
The summary continues: “Following on from the events of Death Stranding, this new story follows Sam on a fresh journey. Expect the unexpected. Your actions can affect how other players interact with the game's world, and vice-versa. Make sure you leave your mark.”
Elsewhere, in an FAQ at the bottom of the page, it’s confirmed that there are “no plans” to include microtransactions in the sequel and you won’t need PS Plus to engage with the asynchronous multiplayer aspects of the title.
“Death Stranding 2 supports asynchronous multiplayer in the same way as the original game,” the page explains. “Actions of other players, such as the creation of roads or structures and the routes they have travelled, will become visible and useable to the player once they have successfully connected areas of the map.”
The game’s special SXSW panel will air on 9th March from 4PM PT, with actors Norman Reedus and Troy Baker as well as musician Woodkid all set to be in attendance.
We know Kojima has been cutting a new trailer for quite some time, so expect to see that air during this livestream, alongside a release date.
[source playstation.com]
Comments 28
Ooh so hyped for this and Yotei! I just hope the release date is soon!
The questioning of ‘should we have connected’ feels very topical. The first game really resonated during Covid with the whole bringing people together through their connections with each other. But then look what’s happened since with atrocities being committed while major powers utilise the conflict to further their own goals or enrich themselves (very MGS4). Democracy also being undermined by the erosion of objective truth due to AI (again, very MGS2) and now I assume from the premise that this game will tackle the idea of public forums and free speech being weaponised to drive a wedge between people instead of connecting them. Kojima’s always got a political slant to his games and they really do age well. I’m not sure if that’s necessarily an encouraging sign though, if we’re repeating mistakes enough for commentary from 20 odd years ago to still be relevant.
@nessisonett For all of Kojima's excessive tendencies his Solid Snake games were always brilliant takes on the future. His Naked Snake games some of the most open and honest depictions on Cold War era US interference. Death Stranding a look at a world disconnected where we cannot physically interact with each other (even post covid the loneliness epidemic is real).
I cannot wait to see what DS2 has to say!
I can’t wait for this! I can’t imagine any game topping DS1 for me, as I loved the game so dearly that I’d consider it my favorite game of all time. To think that this one may be even better…
In Kojima we trust.
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@nessisonett there is nothing new under the sun... History repeats itself and just changes the time and place . I think you make a good point about the free speech possibilities... Maybe there will be ideas of "mind viruses" which has become a politically charged term , but in psychology ideas are known to spread and infect like a virus. Men like Higgs spreading falsehoods or fear mongering. Or it could be more "out-there" and lean into the strange concepts of people's Beaches, BTs, and how connecting people is increasing entropy in the world. I bet there will be an even heavier lean into children and/or BBs. Maybe some fertility and birthrate subject matter, too? Really looking forward to more Hideo
@KundaliniRising333 boy was that comment a hard read. Calling Metal Gear "wonky anime infused geopolitical melodrama" is hilariously short-sighted and ignorant imo . Have you even played MGS2+3+4+5?
Kojima is the goat of video games for a reason, in Hideo we trust.
Death Stranding is in my top 10 games ever made so I’m beyond excited for this.
My mind and body are still ready Kojima-San! Only game that matters for me this year, everything else will be mere window dressing.
I know it's totally dumb but I always hated that phrase. The unexpected would stop being unexpected if you were expecting it.
I expect it to be very loud about just how special and different it is.
@Frmknst Kojima isn't overrated. People like to say he is just to stand out.
@Frmknst You don't need to forced yourself to play Kojima games or follow his news if you don't like him.
@JohntheRaptor people like to say he is overrated when they don't have the IQ to even understand his games
It's Kojima so I fully expect the expected.
Hype!! This is going to be brilliant I cannot wait
@Skeletor85 You dont need a high IQ to say that having Meryl's character arc end with her marrying a guy who's sole purpose in the series is to fabric splatter his undergarments with a gooey paste was utterly ridiculous.
It's fine to think he's as talented as he is terrible. That's what makes him interesting.
I have expect a release date, maybe April or May release since Sony also has ghost 2 this year
Very stoked for this game - one of my most anticipated for the year! My only fear is that, due to the tragic passing of Low Roar's singer/songwriter, Ryan, the game just won't hit the same without Low Roar's soundscape.
Woodkid is in the game? Or just his music? Man i love his song
@LikelySatan It’s part of the charm. If kojimas name isn’t in the open credits ten times… is it even a Kojima game? (I loved the first one though I’m there day one for the second).
Expect the unexpected - well, until copies leak 1 month prior to release!
I am wondering if this will make 2025 or slip into 2026. It's almost March now and there is no launch date for a game coming out in the remainder of this year. With Ghost of Yotei I expect a fall date to be given in the summer but will this also be fall? Or will be get a Summer/Autumn date soon?
@TheEnygma
The phrase refers to the fact that there will be things you wont expect, be it story related or gamplay related etc, in the game when it launches, and you should be ready (or 'expect' ) things of this type.
'Be ready for the unexpected' might be a better phrase, but thats just not what has caught on.
Its not inferring that you should expect the exact nature of these unexpected things (just be ready for things of a type that are unexpected).
Hope to see a release date!
And No. To some saying Kojima is overrated
@Darylb88 It will be 2025. Next month they gonna start the marketing with a big showcase and possibly a release date reveal at SXSW. Kojima rarely delayed his games once he revealed the release window. The guy is a perfectionist.
@wildcat_kickz Either Kojima used Low Roar songs that we never heard off (iirc Low Roar has 5 albums) or he find another niche band that fits with DS vibes.
@PuppetMaster I assume he's using new bands. Chvrches and some others were in the first game, so I expect them to return. In premise, I don't have any problem with Kojima getting new artists, but it just won't be the same. Death Stranding clicked for me the moment "Don't Be So Serious" started playing as you walked to the first city. It was such a specific vibe of beauty and loneliness.
Edit: I actually just learned that Low Roar released a posthumous album earlier this month! Maybe some of those tracks will make it in as an homage. This new found knowledge has also dictated what I'll be listening to for the next month...
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