Hideo Kojima took to the SXSW stage today for a special panel on Death Stranding 2: On the Beach where he revealed a brand new trailer for the upcoming game and confirmed that it will be released for PlayStation 5 on June 26, 2025.
First announced back in December 2022, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is looking to be every bit as stunning and mind-boggling as its predecessor was. Today’s lengthy 10-minute trailer introduced new characters like Neil (played by Luca Marinelli), continued to tease plot points surrounding Elle Fanning’s character Tomorrow, and showed off one jaw-dropping vista after another.
Alongside the release date came the reveal of the various special editions that will be available for purchase starting March 17. The digital deluxe edition will cost $80 and comes with a handful of in-game items, as well as 48 hours of early access to the game. For $230, you can get the collector’s edition. This comes with a 15-inch statue, a collector’s box, art cards, a letter from Hideo Kojima, and its own set of in-game items, plus all the perks of the digital deluxe edition.
Companies such as Microsoft have been offering early access to games at a higher price for years now, but this is the first time that PlayStation has jumped onto the bandwagon. It’s a strategy that’s drawn scrutiny from many in the industry, partly because of how it creates a staggered release schedule for a game, but largely because of how greedy the practice feels. Whether it’s with multiplayer games where players who get in early have an advantage over those who can’t afford to, or in single-player games where story details can easily be spoiled for those who aren’t able to pay a premium, this strategy is one that many aren’t fond of.
Is this a sign that PlayStation will be adopting this strategy with its titles going forward? Will Saros, Ghost of Yōtei, or Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet also offer early access for an extra $10? Possibly. I’m not keen on the idea of it, but in a world where games are exorbitantly expensive to make, I accept the reality of the situation.
As for Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, this new look at the game has made me even more excited than I already was. I can’t make heads or tails of the story but everything about the game has captured my interest and refuses to let me go. I likely won’t be there on day one since I still have to play the first game, but I hope to get my hands on Death Stranding 2 at some point later this year.
TheComfySpot 