PlayStation hosted a Death Stranding 2: On The Beach special panel with KOJIMA PRODUCTIONS at the SXSW 2025. In attendance were Hideo Kojima, Norman Reedus, Troy Baker, and Woodkid, who presented new information about the hotly anticipated video game sequel to the cinematic video game Death Stranding.
The perfect place to share news about Death Stranding 2, SXSW bridges cinema, video games, and just about everything else in entertainment. At the special panel, Hideo Kojima shared the release date for Death Stranding 2 and debuted a new trailer that also features gameplay.
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The new trailer blended cinematic immersion with detailing the game’s narrative and gameplay, showcasing landscapes, combat, and the emotional sci-fi weirdness that has made so many people fall in love with Kojima’s storytelling. But it’s what Kojima discussed during the session that should have players excited.
Death Stranding 2 brings more emotion as Sam connects with a new crew.
Much of the panel focused on the pandemic inspirations in Death Stranding 2, specifically how the first game sought to build connections in an isolated time. But now, Death Stranding 2: On The Beach is forcing Sam and the rest of the world to question the connections they’ve made, for better and worse.
For Reedus’ Sam, that means connecting with more characters on the Magellan Ship with Drawbridge. The Magellan ship will give Sam people to rely on and a crew to have his back. The ship will play a role in connecting Sam to his team. Kojima was very intentional about not giving up too much information so that the audience didn’t get spoiled.
But he did explain that the idea of “We should not have connected” is going to be a driving force in the game. On the tagline featured in the trailer, Hideo Kojima said, “The last Death Stranding is about ‘let’s get connected’; otherwise, humans won’t survive. I was thinking about the sequel, and I actually experienced the pandemic, and I felt something. I thought, ‘Should we really be connected?’ I said something that is 180 degrees different, and I want you to play and feel what I mean.”
Shot over three years, Hideo Kojima explained that some of his favorite moments when directing Norman Reedus were how emotional he pushed him to be. Kojima explained that Sam cries a lot in Death Stranding 2, and that is sure to make the audience anxious and excited, as the deep narrative is sure to stand out once again.
Higgs in Death Stranding 2 will make you want to throw your controller.
Death Stranding 2 will also feature even more of Higgs. Troy Baker was in attendance to tell the audience more about Higgs’ role in Death Stranding 2. Kojima explained that Higgs is such a beloved character that he raised the level for players based on Baker’s musical talents, which he displayed in videos during the pandemic.
Kojima teased the crowd by saying that Higgs “isn’t just two or three times better; he’s 100 times better. When you see what happens, you’ll want to throw your controller.” This is an exciting development for all of those who fell in love with Higgs in the first game.
Death Stranding 2 On The Beach News was shared during the SXSW panel:
- The Stands of Harmony is the world tour for the Death Stranding symphony, happening first in Sydney, Australia, and across other countries as well, including Austin, TX.
- Death Stranding is also doing a collaboration with Hamilton watches, both featured in the game and for sale.
- “To The Wilder” by Woodkid is available on Spotify now.
- Death Stranding 2: On The Beach will release on June 26, 2025.
- The Collector’s Edition will feature a 15″ Magellan Man Statue, seven in-game items, a 3″ Dollman figurine, art cards and more.
- Pre-orders open on March 17, 2025.
Death Stranding 2: On The Beach will release on June 26, 2025.
