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 a two-day head start, gaining access on June 24th.

The ten-minute trailer (see below) showcases stunning cinematics and gameplay, but perhaps the most striking element is a character many believe strongly resembles Snake from Kojima's iconic 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 himself, wielding an assault rifle.

The Metal Gear allusions continue with the Magellan Man, a colossal tar-like creature fused with the DHV Magellan, bearing a striking resemblance to Metal Gear Rex. (A 15" Magellan Man statue is included in the Collector's Edition). The Magellan Man appears to function as a Pacific Rim-style mech, battling enormous, terrifying tar monsters.

The standard edition of Death Stranding 2 is priced at $69.99. The Collector's Edition will cost $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 reads:

Embark on an inspiring mission of human connection beyond the UCA. Sam, with companions at his side, embarks 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.