Death Stranding has proven to be one of the most unique games in recent years. Although Hideo Kojima's first fully independent offering may not have struck a chord with every gamer, Death Stranding remains a mind-bending and compelling world that pushes the boundaries of what storytelling in games can be like.
Kojima took a bold risk with this post-apocalyptic world, and it ultimately paid off. The game recently surpassed 20 million players, marking a huge milestone for Death Stranding. On top of that, a sequel is also on the way, titled Death Stranding 2: On the Beach. With the first chapter continuing to draw in players and a follow-up on the way, 2025 is the perfect time to revisit Death Stranding.
Death Stranding 2 May Be Hiding a Fun Surprise in Plain Sight
Hideo Kojima loves a good cameo, and one mysterious character in Death Stranding 2 seems like a shoo-in for a surprise appearance.
Death Stranding is Worth Revisiting Ahead of Its Anticipated Sequel
- Death Stranding 2: On the Beach launches on June 26, 2025.
- The game is being released exclusively for the PS5.
- The first game was ported to Xbox last year, but the sequel has yet to confirm any future port plans.
- A blend of original cast members and new faces fill out the sequel's character roster.
Death Stranding 2 is one of the biggest titles slated for the summer, and based on sneak peeks from its various trailers, Kojima is promising an even bigger story this time around. With an electric guitar-wielding Higgs returning as a villain and a giant tar mech, Death Stranding 2 has somehow managed to one-up the wonderful wackiness of its predecessor. However, a lot of players may need a refresher ahead of the next chapter.
Death Stranding is also set to get a film adaptation through A24. A Quiet Place: Day One and Pig director Michael Sarnoski has recently been hired to direct and write the screenplay.
An Imaginative Story With a Deep Well of Lore
While the world of Death Stranding is fascinating, its lore can often be mind-numbing to keep track of. From BTs to the concept of the Beach itself, the game's main premise revolves around a world ravaged by ghostly beings bleeding over from the afterlife and causing nuclear explosions, forcing much of society to live underground in isolation. This explanation is just merely scratching the surface of Death Stranding's story, and its sequel is bound to dive even deeper into this complex lore.
Kojima took a bold risk with this post-apocalyptic world, and it ultimately paid off.
For those who really want to get an effective refresher ahead of the sequel, playing through the game again may be the best way to do so. Of course, there are plot summaries available on the internet, but fans wanting a more detailed retelling of protagonist Sam's journey to connect society will want to jump into the deep end with a playthrough.
Some of Death Stranding 2's new cast members include Elle Fanning, Luca Marinelli, and Alissa Jung.
Death Stranding 2 Has Teased Some Exciting Changes
Based on the latest footage revealed at SXSW, Death Stranding 2 looks to be bringing forth a lot of exciting upgrades. More dynamic weather and landscapes, a larger cast, and hints at more action-focused moments may make Death Stranding 2 a stronger game overall. There's no way to know this until the game launches, of course, but the hinted changes have definitely been compelling. In order to really appreciate these differences, experiencing the first Death Stranding may also be the best way to properly compare the two.
As the launch of Death Stranding 2 draws closer, time is running out to get a thorough playthrough of the first chapter. The sequel looks set to have plenty of brain-melting surprises in store for players, and revisiting the game that started it all would serve as a great appetizer to get back into the Death Stranding mindset.
Death Stranding
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 83 /100 Critics Rec: 79%
- Released
- November 8, 2019
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood, Intense Violence, Partial Nudity, Strong Language
- Developer(s)
- Kojima Productions
- Engine
- Decima
- Cross-Platform Play
- Yes! Players will share the same server as Steam and Epic users
- Cross Save
- yes
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Action
