On a bustling Sunday at SXSW 2025, gaming icon Hideo Kojima took center stage, announcing that “Death Stranding 2: On the Beach” will make its grand entrance for PlayStation 5 on June 26. Alongside the thrilling announcement, Kojima unveiled a detailed new trailer, offering fans much to dissect.
This fresh 10-minute preview dives deeper into the continuation of the 2019 hit, showcasing familiar faces while introducing new ones into its rich tapestry. Norman Reedus reprises his role as Sam Bridges, our intrepid load-bearer navigating through a chaotic world. Fans will be pleased to see the return of Léa Seydoux as Fragile and Troy Baker as Higgs. New talent joins the mix, including Elle Fanning, who takes on the role of Tomorrow, Shioli Kutsuna as Rainy, and George Miller as Tarman. The ensemble is completed with Luca Marinelli, Debra Wilson, and Alissa Jung as Neil, Doctor, and Lucy, respectively, with a special appearance by Korean action star Lee Dong-seok, also known as Don Lee.
As the trailer unfolds, astute viewers might catch some reminiscent elements harking back to Kojima’s legendary Metal Gear Solid series. Luca Marinelli’s character, Neil, strikingly mirrors the iconic Solid Snake, while a massive tar creature joining forces with the DHV Magellan brings back memories of Metal Gear Rex and Sahelanthropus. This sneak peek delivers a tantalizing blend of action and cryptic narrative teases that will keep Death Stranding aficionados on their toes.
Set just under a year after the United Cities of America came to be, the game paints a picture of a world where technology seems to have replaced Sam’s crucial role as a porter. The shores now host servers, automating deliveries and casting doubt on Sam’s relevance. Meanwhile, the lingering presence of Chiralium continues to distort reality, with an emerging faction seeding new intrigues. Yet, undeterred, Sam’s resolve to fulfill his duties remains steadfast.
Reflecting on the game’s evolution, Kojima shared that the global pandemic of 2020 influenced him profoundly, prompting a rewrite of the game’s story. He aims to capture and navigate the post-apocalyptic odyssey across an America still haunted by ominous Beached Things.
In a previous glimpse during a State of Play stream last year, we learned that the Bridges company has dissolved, making way for a new entity named Drawbridge. True to Kojima’s style, the storyline remains enigmatic, leaving fans eagerly piecing together hints from the trailers.
Each of these elements sets the stage for what promises to be an engrossing next chapter in Kojima Productions’ burgeoning saga. The countdown begins for June 26, when gamers will finally get to step back into the wonderfully eerie world of Death Stranding 2.
