If you’re a fan of Hideo Kojima’s weird, heartfelt, post-apocalyptic delivery simulator, you’ve probably been waiting for the moment you can buy Death Stranding 2 ever since the first teaser dropped at The Game Awards a few years back. I still remember finishing the first game in 2019, crying at the ending, and immediately wishing there was more of Sam, BB, and the strange, connected world Kojima built. This sequel promises to expand on every part of the original, from traversal mechanics to the star-studded cast, and there’s a lot to know before you drop your cash on a copy. This guide breaks down everything you need to know to get the right version, at the best price, without missing out on exclusive content.
What to Know Before You Buy Death Stranding 2
When you’re ready to buy Death Stranding 2, the first thing you need to confirm is that you’re looking at a legitimate listing for your platform. Too many fans fall for scam listings or overpriced resold copies because they don’t check official release information first. I made the mistake of buying a collector’s edition for a different game from a random third-party seller last year, and I ended up paying $80 more than the retail price just because they marked it up after stock ran out. Don’t make that same mistake.
As of current official updates, Death Stranding 2 is only confirmed for a PlayStation 5 release first, so any listings for other platforms are either pre-emptive placeholders or straight scams. There are rumors of a PC release 6 to 12 months after the PS5 launch, but nothing has been confirmed by Kojima Productions or Sony, so don’t put money down for a PC copy until you see an official announcement.
Watch out for these common red flags when browsing listings:
- Listings for PC, Xbox, or Switch versions of the game before official release dates are announced for those platforms
- Third-party sellers charging 2x or more the standard retail price for pre-orders or limited editions
- Offers for "early access codes" that require you to share personal account information or pay extra fees
Always purchase from official retailers or verified first-party storefronts to avoid losing money to fake listings. That includes the PlayStation Store, major big-box retailers, and trusted game store chains with clear return policies.
Edition Differences: Which Version of Death Stranding 2 Is Worth Your Money?
Like most modern big-budget games, Death Stranding 2 will launch in multiple editions, each with different perks and price points. You don’t have to splurge on the most expensive option to have a good experience, but it’s worth knowing what you get with each tier before you decide.
The standard edition is the base game, no extra frills, priced at the standard $69.99 for new PS5 releases. If you’re only interested in playing the core story, the standard edition is more than enough — none of the extra content in higher tiers gives you gameplay advantages, only cosmetic upgrades and bonus physical or digital goodies.
The deluxe edition, usually priced around $89.99, comes with the base game plus a handful of digital extras: exclusive backpack and BB pod skins, a digital artbook with concept art from the game, the full official soundtrack, and early access to a special in-game traversal vehicle that you’d otherwise unlock a few hours into the story. It’s a good pick if you know you’re going to sink dozens of hours into the game and want to customize your play experience.
The collector’s edition, which usually retails for $199.99, includes all the deluxe digital content plus physical collectibles: a high-quality figure of Fragile, a replica BB pod that lights up, a steelbook case, a printed map of the game’s open world, and a limited-edition poster. Collector’s editions usually sell out within days of pre-orders going live, so set a reminder if you want to grab one of the limited physical copies. That said, if you don’t care about physical collectibles, the collector’s edition is not worth the extra cost.
Hidden Perks You Can Get With Your Death Stranding 2 Purchase
There are a lot of little extras you can get with your copy of the game that most casual buyers don’t know about, if you know where to look. None of these are required to enjoy the game, but they’re nice free bonuses if you qualify for them.
First, pre-order bonuses: if you reserve your copy before launch, you get an exclusive "Reconnection" backpack charm, a free skin for Sam’s delivery truck, and a set of in-game crafting materials to help you get through the first few hours of the game easier. You don’t have to pre-order to get the full game experience, but the free pre-order bonuses are usually cosmetic items that won’t be available for purchase after launch, so grab them if you know you’re going to buy the game anyway.
If you own a copy of the first Death Stranding on your PS5 account, you’ll get an exclusive original Sam Bridges skin for the sequel, plus a bonus crossover mission that ties the first game’s story directly to the start of the second. You don’t have to have finished the first game to get this bonus, just have it tied to your account.
Some physical retailers also offer exclusive pre-order perks that you won’t get from the PlayStation Store. For example, certain big-box chains offer a free exclusive poster or a bonus steelbook case when you pre-order the standard edition, at no extra cost. It’s worth checking a few different retailer sites before you buy to see which one offers the perks you want most.
How to Get the Lowest Price When Buying Death Stranding 2
You don’t have to pay full price for the game if you’re willing to do a little bit of planning. There are a few easy ways to cut the cost of your copy without missing out on any content.
PlayStation Plus subscribers get the most consistent pre-order discounts for first-party Sony games like Death Stranding 2, so it’s worth checking if you have an active subscription before you buy. Most of the time, PS Plus members get 10% off pre-orders, which cuts $7 off the standard edition and even more off higher tiers. If you don’t have a subscription, you can often find discounted 1-month PS Plus codes online for a few dollars, which will still qualify you for the discount.
Another easy way to save is to buy discounted PlayStation gift cards first, before you purchase the game from the PlayStation Store. You can often find gift cards for 5% to 15% off face value from authorized resellers, which adds up to an extra $3 to $10 off your purchase, on top of any other discounts you qualify for.
If you don’t mind waiting a few months after launch, you can save even more. Most first-party Sony games drop to $39.99 within 3 to 6 months of launch, and they often go on sale for even less during seasonal PlayStation Store sales, like Black Friday or the summer sale. The only downside is you’ll have to wait to play, but if you have a backlog of other games to get through, this is a great way to save half the cost of the game.
At the end of the day, there’s no wrong way to buy Death Stranding 2 as long as you’re getting a legitimate copy that fits your budget and what you want out of the game. If you’re dying to play it the second it launches, pre-ordering a standard or deluxe copy from an official retailer is your best bet. If you don’t mind waiting, you can save a good chunk of change by holding off for post-launch sales. Either way, the sequel is shaping up to be even more ambitious, emotional, and weird than the first, and it’s worth every penny for fans of Kojima’s unique brand of storytelling.
