Summary
- Death Stranding 2's Collector's Edition was initially planned to include Sam on the statue, but the idea was scrapped due to size.
- The trailer for Death Stranding 2 highlighted new characters like Neil and returning foes like Higgs.
- Death Stranding 2's new character Neil is expected to have a unique role in the game.
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach director Hideo Kojima has revealed that the Magellan Man statue available in the game's Collector's Edition was originally planned to feature Sam Porter Bridges as well. The details about Death Stranding 2's different editions were recently revealed, alongside a new trailer, at the SXSW 2025 event.
After months of anticipation, fans of 2019's Death Stranding were finally treated to a brand-new look at its sequel, which is scheduled to hit the shelves on June 26, 2025. The trailer showcased certain intriguing characters, from new faces like Neil to returning foes like Higgs, and shed light on the PS5 exclusive's release information and special editions. Among the major highlights of Death Stranding 2's Collector's Edition are the 15-inch Magellan Man statue and the 3-inch Dollman figurine, items inspired by two characters that also made an appearance in the newly released video. Kojima, who has been actively discussing the trailer's content on social media since its arrival, recently shared a certain small but key attribute of the Magellan Man statue that was changed later on.
Death Stranding 2 Fans Aren't Happy With the Collector's Edition
Death Stranding 2 finds itself at the center of controversy as fans express their disappointment with the game's Collector's Edition.
In a Twitter post, Kojima gave fans a look at the first sketch of the Magellan Man statue and said that Death Stranding's protagonist, Sam, was initially planned to be on the structure's left hand. From the looks of it, a small-scale version of the porter was meant to feature as part of the model before the idea was scrapped. The renowned game director added that the decision to omit Sam was made because the detail was "too small" to be incorporated into the statue. In another post, he shared that the Collector's Edition item was designed by Entei Ryu, who was also behind the aforementioned sketch, under the "full supervision" of Kojima's longtime partner and frequent Metal Gear collaborator Yoji Shinkawa. The accompanying pictures showed a glimpse of the early versions of the Magellan Man statue, which the director labeled as the "product of KJP’s spirit and soul."
Hideo Kojima Reveals Initial Plans for Death Stranding 2's Collector's Edition Statue
While a tiny Sam would have made for a neat detail on the Magellan Man statue, the call to ditch the same seems innocuous given that the original sketch shows it was only intended as a minute addition to the overall look. Going by Magellan Man's impressions so far, which has seen fans compare the mech that forms its head to Metal Gear Rex, it may be safe to say that the mysterious giant has managed to grab the attention of the community regardless. Another part of the trailer that has captivated the fans is the Solid Snake-esque look of Neil, which could be seen as a nod to Kojima's Metal Gear-associated history.
Even though there's not enough official information about Death Stranding 2's Neil so far, certain distinct moments from the trailer suggest that his role may be similar to the one Cliff played in the first game. As the release date for Kojima's new game draws closer, fans can expect to learn more about this fascinating new character, played by Italian actor Luca Marinelli, which certainly shares a similarity or two with the Metal Gear Solid protagonist.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 90 /100 Critics Rec: 95%
- Released
- June 26, 2025
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ // Violence, Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Strong Language
- Developer(s)
- Kojima Productions
- Publisher(s)
- Sony Interactive Entertainment
