Circle your calendars for June 26 because Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is making its grand debut on PlayStation 5. Hideo Kojima, the mastermind behind the original, broke the news on Sunday during an SXSW 2025 panel, where he also unveiled a captivating new trailer packed with details.
In this fresh 10-minute glimpse of Death Stranding 2, fans got a chance to see a mix of familiar faces and intriguing new ones. Norman Reedus is back as Sam Bridges, the protagonist navigating the game’s surreal landscape. Also returning are Léa Seydoux as Fragile and Troy Baker as the enigmatic Higgs. Joining them are Elle Fanning as Tomorrow, Shioli Kutsuna as Rainy, and George Miller taking on the role of Tarman. The cast doesn’t stop there; we’ve also got Luca Marinelli stepping in as Neil, Debra Wilson portraying Doctor, and Alissa Jung as Lucy. And keep an eye out for a special appearance by Korean action star Lee Dong-seok, known as Don Lee.
There are also some fun tidbits for long-time fans of Kojima’s work, with apparent nods to the iconic Metal Gear Solid series. Marinelli’s character, Neil, seems to channel Solid Snake’s energy, and the introduction of the Magellan Man, a creature born from the merger of a giant tar monster and the DHV Magellan, echoes the vibes of Metal Gear’s renowned machines.
Set 11 months after the formation of the United Cities of America, the new storyline reveals a dramatically changed world. As technology advances with automated deliveries, the traditional role of porters like Sam comes into question. Meanwhile, the presence of chiralium keeps twisting the environment in unexpected ways, even affecting the animals, all while a new faction rises in influence. Yet, the ever-determined Sam Bridges remains undeterred from his mission.
If you caught the first trailer at The Game Awards in 2022, you might recall Kojima mentioning how the pandemic influenced the script, adding layers of depth and reflection. Returning to the post-apocalyptic theme, the game will continue exploring a world plagued by the eerie Beached Things.
An interesting development seen in last year’s State of Play stream revealed that Bridges, Sam’s former delivery company, has disbanded, paving the way for a new entity known as Drawbridge. However, as with many of Kojima’s projects, the details remain shrouded in mystery, leaving much to the imagination.
