Details on the forthcoming Death Stranding 2: On The Beach are scarce at the moment, but as new details slowly emerge it sounds a lot like Death Stranding – though there’s plenty still to come.
Ahead of creator Hideo Kojima‘s SXSW livestream at which the release date is expected, Sony has updated the PlayStation website listing for the sequel with fresh details hinting towards how it will play.
“Expect the unexpected,” it reads, which is just par for the course with Kojima games.
“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?”
Until now, we’ve only seen an initial teaser trailer of Death Stranding 2 at The Game Awards in 2022 and an announcement trailer at last year’s PlayStation State of Play (above).
The website update essentially hints to what has already been inferred from these trailers.
“The large open-world environments of Death Stranding 2: On the Beach are full of secrets to be found,” it reads, describing the “unique and explorable world”. “They are also incredibly varied and pose unique challenges to navigate.”
That tracks with the announcement trailer, in which we see Sam Bridges exploring a desert, a cityscape, and more beyond the first game’s Icelandic-inspired highlands.
The game also promises “exciting and adaptable combat” where players can be aggressive, stealthy, or avoid combat, much like the first game.
It also confirms, as expected, the “social strand gameplay” will return, as “your actions can affect how other players interact with the game’s world, and vice-versa”.
More specifically: “Death Stranding 2: On the Beach supports asynchronous multiplayer in the same way as the original game. Actions of other players, such as the creation of roads or structures and the routes they have travelled, will become visible and usable to the player once they have successfully connected areas of the map.” PS Plus is not required to access these elements.
Of course, there’s plenty more to Death Stranding 2, even just by the trailers. How is Higgs back? Why does he battle with an electric guitar? And what the hell is with the talking puppet?
Kojima skipped the PlayStation State of Play earlier this month, but on 9th March he will host a panel at SXSW where we’ll find out more about the game. Sony has also confirmed the game is still on track for a 2025 release.
At SXSW Kojima will be joined by actors Norman Reedus and Troy Baker, as well as musician Woodkid (who contributed to the Arcane soundtrack).
Kojima is also drip-feeding hints on his social media account – stay tuned!
