• Several details were dropped at the weekend for Death Stranding 2: On the Beach.
• Pre-orders for the Hideo Kojima post-apocalyptic sequel go live next week.
• Along with launching the game in June, Kojima announced a concert world tour.

The Marmite-esque experience that was 2019’s Death Stranding may not have been every gamer’s cup of tea, but that has not stopped Hideo Kojima from getting a sequel made. Said sequel is Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, and over the weekend, a ton of information about its impending release were revealed.

This includes the fact that pre-orders have gone live on 17th March, with the game set to arrive on PS5 consoles come 26th June.

Along with the announcement of upcoming pre-orders, PlayStation served up a full 10-minute long trailer which features a number of blink and you miss it, what the hell was that, moments in typical Kojima fashion.

As such, while we have absolutely no idea what the story of the game will be, if the trailer embedded below is anything to go by, it will be even more insane and difficult to follow than the original.

All we do know is that the events of the game take place roughly 11 months after the formation of the United Cities of America. With the first game serving as an allegory for the growing disconnect in society in the digital era, heightened by the real-world global pandemic that followed, it is unclear what direction or message Kojima will try to layer between a story with some truly wild and puzzling visuals that can be seen after the break.

Along with 10 minutes of in-game footage, PlayStation also detailed the different editions of the game which will go up for pre-order next week. To that end, there is a Collector’s Edition, Digital Deluxe Edition, and Digital Standard Edition.

The Collector’s Edition includes:

• “Full Game Digital Download,
• 48-hour Early Access to the game,
• Collector’s Box,
• 15” Magellan Man Statue,
• 3” Dollman figurine,
• Art cards,
• Letter from Hideo Kojima,
• In-game items:
  • Machine Gun (MP Bullets) LV1 early unlock,
  • Battle Skeleton: Gold (LV1, LV2, LV3),
  • Boost Skeleton: Gold (LV1, LV2, LV3),
  • Bokka Skeleton: Gold (LV1, LV2, LV3),
  • Quokka Patch,
  • Chiral Feline Patch,
  • Why Me? Patch.”

Those who pre-order the Collectors Edition will also receive a Quokka Hologram, Battle Skeleton: Silver (LV1, LV2, LV3), Boost Skeleton: Silver (LV1, LV2, LV3), and Bokka Skeleton: Silver (LV1, LV2, LV3).

Local pricing is yet to be detailed, but the Collector’s Edition will cost $229.99 (~R4 201), while the Digital Standard Edition will retail for $69.99 (~R1 278). We can certainly see this sequel cross the R1 400 mark when 17th March rolls around. Whether people will want to play Death Stranding 2: On the Beach at launch remains to be seen, especially given the mixed reactions to the 2019 offering.

Perhaps, however, Kojima can interest you in a concert? “Also announced today was a special concert tour to celebrate the music of Death Stranding. This tour, featuring a full orchestra performing music from the series, will commence November 8, 2025, beginning with a performance at the Sydney Opera House in Australia, followed by dates around the world.” No African city is listed for the world tour, but you can check out the other earmarked cities here. 

With Kojima presenting numerous interesting yet loosely stringed together ideas for Death Stranding, here’s hoping the second attempt packages it in a way that is less divisive.