Death Stranding 2: On the Beach - The Hype Is Real

Fans don't always know what is going on behind the scenes in the video game world, of course. One game that has been under the radar but seems to be gaining serious popularity is the sequel to Hideo Kojima's 2019 sci-fi adventure, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach. Up until now, the information has been rather limited, but events are now starting to heat up. We seem to be on the verge of our first real glimpse of Kojima Productions' developments.

A very limited group of industry insiders and media professionals was invited to a really special private preview event for Death Stranding 2: On the Beach last week. For a single game, this was an entire week-long affair, which is quite rare. This was no ordinary press engagement, with just a fast demo or hands-on session. Present were well-known.

Names from sources, including VGC and Eurogamer, as well as Geoff Keighley, also appeared (which is not surprising, given his long association with Kojima). Their photo of even a group with Kojima himself is going viral online, and it's making everybody excited.

Regrettably, not every venue received an invitation, so publications will mostly have to come from those in attendance. With a whole week to explore the game, however, once the embargo is lifted, devotees can anticipate some deep dives. Mark your calendars for May 8th—previews for Death Stranding 2: On the Beach will be available (including ours), giving our first official, thorough look at the game and new information. Nor is the release date far off: June 26th, only on PlayStation 5.

These extended previews allowed the outlets to investigate every component of the game—narrative, mechanics, graphics, and everything else. Fans should be getting far more than just first glances. And here's where it becomes even juicier: there have been rumors about a major PlayStation exhibition planned for some time this summer, perhaps as early as May or June. Now that E3 is no longer around, Sony usually organizes these types of events around this time of year.

This raises the question: Could the Death Stranding 2: On the Beach preview and this rumored PlayStation showcase be connected? It wouldn't be the first time. Sony and Kojima have a long history, and the original Death Stranding was prominently featured at PlayStation events. Furthermore, linked to Sony's promotional strategy is Geoff Keighley, who is well-engaged in both the preview and major gaming events. If it gets an extended gameplay section or a new trailer, Death Stranding 2 appears to be the ideal headliner ahead of a show.

A showcase would be the ideal moment to present what's next, given that Sony's second-half 2025 lineup is still somewhat unclear. This might mean more on Death Stranding 2, updates on other PlayStation exclusives, possible hardware announcements, or even long-rumored series from developers like Santa Monica, Sucker Punch, or Naughty Dog.

 

The next few weeks could be significant for anybody tracking Death Stranding 2. This seems to be one of the most discussed games of the year, whether you adored the first game or are simply interested in Kojima's next project. Furthermore, if PlayStation skips a summer exhibition, it could set the prevailing mood for PS5 users in 2025 and beyond. As for me, I can't wait to see more; the most recent Death Stranding 2 trailer was totally killer!