Legendary game designer Hideo Kojima took the stage at SXSW 2025 to unveil the latest cinematic trailer for Death Stranding 2: On the Beach and confirm its official release date. The highly anticipated sequel to the 2019 hit Death Stranding will launch on June 26, 2025, exclusively on PlayStation 5. Players who purchase the Digital Deluxe Edition or Collector’s Edition will gain early access starting June 24.
The 10-minute trailer showcased a blend of cinematic sequences and gameplay footage, offering a closer look at new and returning characters, environments, and the ominous threats that Sam Porter Bridges will face. One of the most talked-about moments in the trailer was the introduction of a mysterious character, portrayed by actor Luca Marinelli, who bears a striking resemblance to Solid Snake from Kojima’s Metal Gear franchise.
Pricing and Pre-Orders
Death Stranding 2 will retail at $69.99 for the standard edition, while the Digital Deluxe Edition will cost $79.99. The Collector’s Edition, which includes exclusive in-game content and a detailed statue of Magellan Man, is priced at $229.99. Pre-orders open on March 17.
Expanding the Death Stranding Universe
Alongside the game’s reveal, Kojima Productions announced an ambitious global concert tour titled The Strands of Harmony World Tour. Set to visit 19 cities worldwide, the tour will feature a live orchestra and vocal performances of composer Ludvig Forssell’s critically acclaimed score, as well as music from other artists featured in the franchise. The tour will premiere on November 8, 2025, at Sydney Opera House, marking the sixth anniversary of Death Stranding’s release.
Kojima’s Expanding Portfolio
In addition to Death Stranding 2, Kojima is juggling multiple high-profile projects, including a live-action film adaptation of Death Stranding in collaboration with A24, the studio behind Everything Everywhere All at Once. He is also developing OD for Xbox Game Studios and the mysterious Physint, a video game-movie hybrid for Sony.
There are no release dates for OD or Physint, and production delays due to the recent video game actors strike have pushed both projects further into the future.
With Death Stranding 2 set for release in just a few months, Kojima Productions is entering one of its most ambitious periods yet, blending cinematic storytelling, innovative gameplay, and cross-media expansions like never before.
Sources: Official SXSW 2025 presentation, Kojima Productions, PlayStation Blog, A24 Press Materials
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