Epic Death Stranding 2 Trailer Reveals Release Date, New Gameplay, and Some Serious Metal Gear Vibes

Hideo Kojima unveiled a breathtaking new trailer for Death Stranding 2: On the Beach at SXSW 2025 in Austin, Texas, complete with a confirmed release date.

Death Stranding 2 launches exclusively on PlayStation 5 on June 26, 2025. Digital Deluxe and Collector's Edition purchasers enjoy two days of early access, starting June 24th.

The ten-minute trailer, showcased below, features stunning cinematics and gameplay sequences. A highlight is the introduction of a character bearing a striking resemblance to Snake from Kojima's Metal Gear series.

Played by Italian actor Luca Marinelli, this character, Neil, is seen sporting a bandana—a signature Snake move—and leading a squad of unsettling soldiers. He appears to be a soldier wielding an assault rifle.

The Metal Gear echoes continue with the Magellan Man, a colossal tar-like creature fused with the DHV Magellan, reminiscent of Metal Gear Rex. (A 15" Magellan Man statue is included in the Collector's Edition.) The Magellan Man appears to be piloted like a Pacific Rim-style mech and battles enormous, terrifying tar monsters.

The standard edition of Death Stranding 2 is priced at $69.99. The Collector's Edition is $229.99, and the Digital Deluxe Edition is $79.99. Pre-orders open March 17th.

Continuing the narrative of 2019's Death Stranding, Death Stranding 2 poses the question, "Should We Have Connected?" The official synopsis:

Embark on an inspiring mission of human connection beyond the UCA. Sam, with companions by his side, sets out on a new journey to save humanity from extinction. Join them as they traverse a world beset by otherworldly enemies, obstacles, and a haunting question: should we have connected? Step by step, legendary game creator Hideo Kojima changes the world once again.