Summary
The journey to reconnect withDeath Stranding’s world grows closer, as anticipation builds for its sequel,Death Stranding 2: On the Beach.With a confirmed release in 2025, many of the specifics surrounding the game’s launch and its evolving features remain hidden, asKojima Productionshas only unveiled its usual, cryptic trailers. As for now, it’s unclear when or how Kojima will reveal more, but that question is expected to receive some answers after the turn of the year.
While much aboutDeath Stranding 2is still under wraps, early glimpses hint at an experience that still feels the same as the original but is ultimately built differently. New features and improvements to the first game’s formula could takeDeath Stranding 2to greater heights than its predecessor, while still offering players a familiar experience. In any case, 2025 has a lot in store forDeath Stranding 2fans.
Death Stranding 2 Is Launching in 2025 With Some New and Improved Features
Death Stranding 2 Doesn’t Yet Have a Firm 2025 Release Date
Although it has been confirmed thatDeath Stranding 2: On the Beachwill be launching sometime in 2025, the game still doesn’t have a concrete release date. That being said, it would be wise to avoid an early 2025 launch, as that release window is already packed withbig titles likeMonster Hunter Wilds,Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, andKingdom Come: Deliverance 2. Furthermore, Sony has repeatedly stated that it will not be releasing any new games for existing first-party franchises before April 2025. In light of that, fans should expectDeath Stranding 2’s release window to be closer to late 2025, perhaps even in November, just like its predecessor.
At the very least,Death Stranding 2is likely to receive another trailer at some point in the near future, which may be the trailer to finally announce the game’s release date. The2024 Game Awardsceremony might have been the perfect place forDeath Stranding 2to get another trailer, given how close Hideo Kojima and Geoff Keighley are, but it unfortunately never showed itself. The sequel has already received a couple of cinematic trailers and a light gameplay trailer, which means a more extensive gameplay trailer could still be to come. If so, a new gameplay trailer forDeath Stranding 2could potentially be released five or six months before the game’s launch, following in its predecessor’s footsteps.
Death Stranding 2 Is Improving and Innovating the First Game’s Formula
While the release date forDeath Stranding 2hasn’t been confirmed just yet, many of the features it is adding and improving have. For example, an extensivephoto mode forDeath Stranding 2has already been confirmed and even shown off, which will allow players to capture their best moments in the game at launch, rather than needing to wait several months for it as they did in the first game. This will couple well withDeath Stranding 2’s new biomes, like deserts and rocky landscapes, along with dynamic environmental effects like flash floods and landslides.
Traversal andcombat inDeath Stranding 2is also receiving a significant overhaul, giving Sam access to a jetpack for vertical movement and easier navigation. Sam will also have a new companion that seems to function similarly toGod of War’s Mimir, assisting Sam with a variety of tasks. As far as combat goes, the sequel introduces a broader range of weapons than were in the first game, including assault rifles, sniper rifles, and rocket launchers, which suggests a greater emphasis on combat this time around. Players will also encounter new enemy types, like advanced robotic adversaries controlled by Higgs.
Death Stranding 2will also introduce new characters like Tomorrow (Elle Fanning) and Rainy (Shioli Kutsuna).
Since it’s unlikely thatDeath Stranding 2will launch in early 2025, it’s also unlikely that it will be receiving post-launch content in the same year. At the most,Death Stranding 2will get the post-launch support it needs to continue being a healthy and playable experience for fans, through bug fixes and performance updates. Even with a lower potential for post-launch content in 2025, however,Death Stranding 2already seems to have everything fans will need for their next adventure with Sam. If nothing else, the arrival of 2025 ultimately means the arrival ofDeath Stranding 2: On the Beachis closer than ever.
