Summary
- Tentative Death Stranding 2 menu screen revealed by Kojima, showcasing Sam Porter Bridges and a story recap option.
- Sequel is set to release in 2025 on PS5.
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach director Hideo Kojima has given fans a peek at the tentative menu screen of the forthcoming action game. Scheduled for release in 2025, Death Stranding 2 is a PS5 exclusive title and the sequel to 2019's Death Stranding.
Having first been announced at The Game Awards in 2022, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach has steadily been taking shape as yet another eccentric Hideo Kojima game, star-studded with prominent cast members including Norman Reedus, Léa Seydoux, and Elle Fanning among others. It is the continuation of the post-apocalyptic saga kicked off by the original Death Stranding and sees certain key characters return in the sequel. Throughout the year, Kojima has shared new material related to the game, including a trailer during publisher Sony's State of Play event in February and another showing at the Tokyo Games Show in September, driving up fans' anticipation.
Death Stranding 2 Can't Miss The Chance to Elevate a Bold Feature From The Original
One central part of the first Death Stranding's lore is sadly underexplored in gameplay, and its sequel, On the Beach, should change that.
On Twitter, Kojima gave fans the latest look at Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, sharing the menu screen and menu options from the current build of the game. The image shows Sam Porter Bridges kissing a baby, in the menu background, with the Death Stranding 2 logo over it. It's worth noting that, besides the basics, there is also a "Recap of Death Stranding" option on the menu screen. In the caption, industry veteran Kojima shared how they have been busy with "voiceover recording sessions, weekly meeting, changing the game, monitor check," preventing them from playing the game even a bit. They also highlighted that the menu screen shown in the image is tentative and may change in the final version that eventually hits the stores.
Death Stranding 2 Sneak Peek Puts the Spotlight on the Game's Menu Screen
The background image used in Death Stranding 2's menu screen depicts the protagonist, played by Norman Reedus, in a tender moment. Interestingly, it is one of the most widely used promotional images for the game as the same also appears as the main image on the developer's website and on the game's PS Store page, while also being the YouTube thumbnail for the newest trailer. Further, looking at the menu options, it is basically confirmed that a story recap for the original Death Stranding will be there. This feature will give new players a convenient way to catch up to the bizarre open-world game's story as well as offer the returning players an optional memory refresh.
Last month at the Tokyo Games Show, developer Kojima Productions showcased certain eye-catching features that Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is set to bring, such as the new photo mode and in-game dance events. Further, Kojima shared that the sequel aims to entangle gameplay with storytelling in ways that would make the sequel "weirder" than the first game. However, whether getting more experimental with the already puzzling plot of Death Stranding is the right move or not, only time will tell.
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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
WHERE TO PLAY
Embark on an inspiring mission of human connection beyond the UCA. Sam—with companions by his side—sets out on a new journey to save humanity from extinction. Join them as they traverse a world beset by otherworldly enemies, obstacles and a haunting question: should we have connected? Step by step, legendary game creator Hideo Kojima changes the world once again.
- Engine
- Decima
- Franchise
- Death Stranding
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5
