Fans of the 2019 game will get the opportunity to experience a brand-new adventure in the ruins of a planet where humanity is on the verge of extinction when Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is released later this year. The original game, which featured digitized performances of Hollywood celebrities like Mads Mikkelsen and Norman Reedus, was a post-apocalyptic courier service adventure where you really didn’t want to get caught in the rain.
Death Stranding 2 was formally unveiled at the Game Awards in December 2022. After years of speculation, the sequel is finally coming in June, but even though it’s so near completion, there are still a lot of questions we’d like to see addressed in Death Stranding 2. Here is what we currently know about Death Stranding 2 ahead of its impending release.
When will Death Stranding 2 be released?
The official release date of Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is June 26. You can start playing the game on June 24 and receive two days of early access if you preorder the digital deluxe or collector’s edition. Official preorders begin on March 17; as they go live, we’ll update this feature with links. As of right now, we are aware of the contents and price of each game edition.
Death Stranding 2 platforms
We know that Death Stranding 2 will be available only on the PS5 for at least a year after its exclusive debut. Although Sony had a significant role in the first game’s development and helped Kojima Productions finish the reveal trailer through its PlayStation Studios Visual Arts group, it is very likely that Death Stranding 2 will eventually be released on the PC given the company’s recent strategy of porting more of its console-exclusive games to the PC in the years since Death Stranding’s debut.
Death Stranding 2 Story
Although Kojima is currently keeping the plot of Death Stranding 2 a secret, he has disclosed some information about the game since its official release, and the first teaser also suggested that a fresh disaster would soon be coming as the relentless Death Stranding proceeds. After the COVID-19 pandemic struck, Kojima’s original Death Stranding 2 story was scrapped, and he said he had to start over from scratch. “The story was written for me prior to the pandemic. However, Kojima stated at the Game Awards, “I just rewrote the entire story from scratch after going through the pandemic.”
The central question of the narrative is “Should we have connected” because the world has changed after Sam’s voyage to assist in founding the United Cities of America. A perilous new cult appears to have arisen, deliveries are now automated, and Higgs Monoghan, who was left abandoned on the beach toward the end of the first game, has somehow escaped. With the addition of kaiju-sized tar-monsters, new locations, and a massive samurai dressed in red armor, Death Stranding 2 appears to be significantly building on the concepts of the original game.
“In Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, embark on an inspiring mission of human connection beyond the UCA,” according to Kojima Productions’ official story synopsis. “With friends at his side, Sam embarks on a new adventure to prevent the annihilation of humanity. Come along with them as they navigate a world plagued by hurdles, supernatural adversaries, and the lingering question, “should we have connected?”
There are several intriguing themes to delve into if you watch the reveal video, like the world’s situation after additional connections have been forged, Fragile’s return, who is now much healthier, and the potential existence of a multiverse of versions to contend with. You can delve deeper into some crazy speculation by reading GameSpot’s analysis of the Death Stranding 2 teaser.
Death Stranding 2 gameplay
Players had to lead Sam to his destination and determine the best course and gear to enable him deliver his cargo in one piece in the original Death Stranding, which was essentially a puzzle game. The game’s main focus was on the voyage and the destination ahead of you, even if there was action and stealth as well, since you had to battle package-stealing Mules and spectral BTs that haunted certain areas of the map. Timefall, a weather phenomena involving deadly rain that could take the time of everything it landed on before turning into harmless water, added a twist to the gameplay. If you stayed outside for too long during one of these showers, you may jeopardize a cargo run.
It appears that the genre mix has been broadened for Death Stranding 2. For instance, various meteorological occurrences like avalanches, lightning storms, and bushfires make it appear extremely riskier to courier merchandise. It appears that Sam will have access to exoskeletons, floating transports, and a new fleet of vehicles that can drive across this lethal terrain to make things easier.
Additionally, it appears that combat has been strengthened, particularly with all of the new foes you will face. This time, human enemies appear to be more intelligent. We’ve seen terrifying hand monsters in the wild, but facing the skyscraper-sized tar monsters will require a much larger weapon.
The sequel will also have asynchronous multiplayer through the Social Strand system, which contributed to Death Stranding’s sense of community. In essence, this gave players the ability to influence the environment by leaving behind vehicles, tools, and other devices that other players may use on their adventures if specific regions were linked to the Chyral Network. Although we don’t know if or how this system has been extended, if it’s similar to the one in the original game, it will be a useful tool as players support one another in a perilous environment.
Conclusion
A highlight of Death Stranding is the music, which features soothing tunes that provide for a peaceful experience amid the end of the world. We are aware that Woodkid wrote the song “The Wilder,” which can be heard in the video above and in the SXSW teaser. The French music video director has already collaborated with Kojima on the song “Goliath” for the Death Stranding: Director’s Cut trailer, so this is not the first time the two have worked together. Beyond that, Death Stranding 2 will feature a number of additional tunes by Woodkid.
