We hope you've packed your swimming costume and some sunscreen because we're all off to catch some rays with Death Stranding 2: On the Beach.
It's been six years since Kojima Productions released its first official game, and while it's not quite the canned Silent Hills, it ended up being something very different.
Although some dubbed it as FedEx Delivery Simulator, Death Stranding blew critics away with its stunning visuals and typically madcap story from Hideo Kojima.
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While Kojima was once known for creating the Metal Gear game for Konami, he branched out on his own to set up Kojima Productions in 2005 and eventually split from Konami in 2015.
The critical and commercial success of Death Stranding as a PlayStation-exclusive title meant a sequel was always likely. While the latest trailer doesn't exactly bring us any closer to understanding what's really going on in this world of 'Timefall', 'Bridge Babies', and 'DOOMS', at least we can agree it all looks pretty great.
Even though some might've turned their nose up at a 10-minute trailer just to reveal a game's release date, it's clear that audiences have been blown away by the latest look at Death Stranding 2.
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In the trailer, we get a rundown of who's who, including some impressive likenesses of Norman Reedus, Léa Seydoux, George Miller, Troy Baker, and more.
Responding to the trailer on YouTube, one fan cheered: "Greatest trailer I've ever seen and icing on the cake was Solid Snake making an appearance lol. Or shall we call him 'Stranded Snake' 😁."
Another added: "I can’t wait to witness the collective cultural crash that happens when Death Stranding 2 wins goty over GTA 6."
Someone else chimed in: "God this game looks insane! Kojima always cuts together the best trailers man."
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A fourth impressed gamer concluded: "GTA 6 gets revealed to be coming out this year. Kojima: Hold my beer."
The big talking point is the introduction of Luca Marinelli's Neil. The mysterious newcomer is seen putting on a bandana and leading a team of intimidating-looking soldiers. Fans were quick to pick up on his likeness to Metal Gear's Solid Snake, and while rights issues with Konami make it unlikely that this will be an official crossover between worlds, it's clear what Kojima is alluding to here.
Back in 2020, Kojima took to Instagram and said that Marinelli was a dead-ringer for Solid Snake when he posted: "There are many actors that I follow. Luca Marinelli recently caught my eye after watching The Old Guard and Martin Eden. He played an impressive villain in They Call Me Jeeg Robot, but I think that he will break out soon, and his popularity will increase.
"Also, I think if he donned a bandanna, he’d be a spitting image of Solid Snake!"
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As gamers have noted, Death Stranding 2 is releasing in the middle of a major year for gaming. Rockstar Games is gearing up for the 'fall' release of GTA 6, which is expected to be the biggest game of all time and net a record-breaking $1 billion in pre-order sales alone. Death Stranding 2 and GTA 6 are aiming for very different audiences, but thankfully for the former, it should be releasing months ahead of the foul-mouthed automotive adventure.
Death Stranding 2 will be released on June 26, 2025, although those who stump up for the Digital Deluxe Edition or the Collector’s Edition will get to jump into the action earlier on June 24.