Hideo Kojima, the renowned game director and founder of Kojima Productions, has announced that “Death Stranding 2: On the Beach” will land on PlayStation 5 on June 26. The unveiling, which took place during a SXSW 2025 panel, was accompanied by an extended, brand-new trailer that delves deep into the game’s world.
This fresh ten-minute preview introduces us not only to the familiar faces we fell in love with in the original, but also to some intriguing new characters. Norman Reedus returns as Sam Bridges, the protagonist known for his unique role in the peculiar and gripping narrative. The cast also sees the return of Léa Seydoux as Fragile and Troy Baker as Higgs. Adding to the excitement are newcomers Elle Fanning as Tomorrow, Shioli Kutsuna as Rainy, and George Miller stepping into the role of Tarman. Fans will also spot Luca Marinelli portraying Neil, Debra Wilson as the Doctor, and Alissa Jung as Lucy. And for those keen on cameos, keep an eye out for Korean action star Don Lee, known as Lee Dong-seok, making a special appearance.
The trailer treats long-time Kojima enthusiasts to what appear to be clever nods to the Metal Gear Solid series. For instance, Marinelli’s character, Neil, bears a striking resemblance to Solid Snake. Meanwhile, a colossal tar creature merging with DHV Magellan seems to channel Metal Gear Rex or Sahelanthropus vibes. The trailer is packed with tantalizing gameplay snippets and story teases sure to get the “Death Stranding” community buzzing.
In this sequel, the timeline leaps forward by eleven months following the creation of the United Cities of America. The landscape is noticeably evolved, with servers now lining the beaches and what once involved human endeavor now largely automated. This advancement seemingly challenges the livelihood of porters like Sam. Despite the continued environmental distortions caused by the Beach’s chiralium, and a new faction flexing its influence, Sam’s dedication to his mission remains unwavering.
It’s interesting to note that Kojima, in a 2022 Game Awards reveal, disclosed that the global experience of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 inspired significant rewrites of the game’s script. The narrative picks up where the first game left off, in a post-apocalyptic America threatened by ominous entities known as Beached Things.
Another trailer surfaced last year during a State of Play stream, revealing pivotal developments: the dissolution of the delivery giant Bridges and the rise of a new entity called Drawbridge. But as expected with any Kojima project, many story elements remain shrouded in mystery, inviting speculation and anticipation among fans.
