Hideo Kojima, the renowned game director behind Kojima Productions, has thrilling news for PlayStation 5 gamers: “Death Stranding 2: On the Beach” is slated for release on June 26. Kojima shared this exciting update during a panel at SXSW 2025, treating fans to a captivating new trailer that stretches an impressive ten minutes.
This extended look into “Death Stranding 2” not only previews familiar faces but also introduces some intriguing newcomers to the universe. Returning to the fray, Norman Reedus reprises his role as Sam Bridges, the intrepid hero navigating through the unique narrative twists of this enigmatic world. Also back for more are Léa Seydoux as Fragile and Troy Baker as the enigmatic Higgs. Joining this illustrious team are Elle Fanning, lending her talents as Tomorrow, alongside Shioli Kutsuna as Rainy and George Miller stepping in as Tarman. There are new faces too, with Luca Marinelli portraying Neil, Debra Wilson as Doctor, and Alissa Jung stepping into the role of Lucy. Notably, the game also teases a cameo from Korean action star Lee Dong-seok, popularly known as Don Lee.
Eagle-eyed fans might spot some intriguing nods to Kojima’s iconic Metal Gear Solid series in the trailer. Marinelli’s Neil bears a striking resemblance to the legendary Solid Snake, while a colossal tar creature merging with the DHV Magellan stirs memories of Metal Gear beasts like Rex and Sahelanthropus. Beyond these clever Easter eggs, there’s ample new gameplay footage and tantalizing story elements for fans to ponder.
As detailed in the recent trailer, the sequel picks up 11 months after the establishment of the United Cities of America. The beaches are now speckled with servers, and deliveries have shifted to automation, threatening the livelihoods of porters like Sam. Meanwhile, the mysterious chiralium from the Beach continues to disrupt both the terrain and its inhabitants, right as a fresh faction begins to assert its power. Yet, despite these changes, it looks like Sam remains committed to his mission.
In a poignant revelation, Kojima noted at the 2022 Game Awards that the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic deeply influenced the narrative of “Death Stranding 2,” prompting him to revisit and reshape the script. The storyline resumes the trek across a dystopian America besieged by ominous Beached Things, those haunting black monstrosities that players came to know in the first installment.
Interestingly, another trailer from a State of Play stream last year disclosed that Bridges, the delivery company integral to the original game, has been dissolved. In its wake, a new entity named Drawbridge has emerged. As is typical of Kojima’s creative storytelling, the details remain intentionally vague, leaving fans eagerly deciphering the myriad possibilities.
