When Kojima Productions first dropped the Death Stranding 2 gameplay trailer at The Game Awards, fans immediately started asking one question more than any other: which edition of the game should they preorder? I’m a long-time Death Stranding fan who 100% completed the first title three separate times across two consoles, so I immediately dug into the preorder details as soon as they went live. I initially locked in a standard edition preorder, but switched to the Death Stranding 2 Deluxe package a week later once I saw exactly what was included. This guide breaks down every part of the premium offering, so you can decide if it’s worth the extra cost for your playstyle.
What Exclusive Content Comes With Death Stranding 2 Deluxe?
The deluxe edition is built for long-time fans of the franchise, with a mix of in-game cosmetic items, digital collectibles, and early access to optional content that you won’t get with the standard version. None of the content locks you out of core gameplay or main story beats, but it does add extra layers of depth for players who want to engage more with the game’s world and creative team. The full list of exclusive perks includes:
- Exclusive in-game costume packs for Sam, Fragile, and new playable characters, including collaborative designs from luxury streetwear brands that tie into the game’s post-apocalyptic fashion theme
- Digital art book featuring 100+ pages of concept art, unused character designs, and director’s notes from Hideo Kojima that you won’t find posted publicly online
- Original extended soundtrack with 15 extra tracks from Low Roar, Ludvig Forssell, and other contributing artists that only play in cutscenes or hidden side missions in the deluxe edition
- 4 early access side missions that unlock 2 weeks before they are available to standard edition players, including a crossover mission with Kojima’s other horror franchise
- Premium multiplayer profile customization packs, including unique chiral bridge designs, delivery bot skins, and player banner animations that can’t be earned through regular gameplay
I was most excited about the extended soundtrack, personally. The first Death Stranding’s OST is still on my regular workout and drive playlists, so getting 15 extra tracks that won’t be released on streaming services for at least 6 months after launch felt like a huge win. None of the exclusive content blocks access to the main story, so even if you skip the deluxe edition, you’ll still get the full narrative experience Kojima and his team built.
How Does the Deluxe Edition Compare to the Standard Version?
The standard edition only includes the base game, plus any universal preorder bonuses that are available to all buyers who purchase before launch. Right now, that preorder bonus is a single chiral ladder skin and a set of 5 delivery stickers, which are also included with the deluxe edition. The deluxe edition usually costs $20 to $30 more than the standard version, depending on which platform you’re buying it for. All post-launch gameplay updates, including new multiplayer maps and story DLC, are free for all players, so you don’t have to pay extra for future content no matter which edition you buy. That’s a big difference from a lot of other modern AAA games, which lock major story updates behind premium edition purchases or season passes. So you don’t have to worry about missing out on core new content a year from now if you go with the standard version. The only difference between the two editions is the launch-exclusive extra content listed earlier, plus cross-buy access for PlayStation and Xbox players who buy the deluxe edition. That means if you buy the deluxe version on PS5, you’ll get a free PS4 copy too, which is a nice bonus if you haven’t upgraded your console yet but plan to soon.
Is the Deluxe Edition Right for You?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer here, but you can figure it out pretty quickly by looking at how you engaged with the first Death Stranding game, or how you usually play open world titles. If you 100% completed the first game, collected all the memorabilia, replayed missions just to find hidden Easter eggs, or still listen to the soundtrack regularly, the deluxe edition is almost certainly worth the extra cost. The digital art book alone has 100+ pages of Kojima’s personal notes, which is the kind of behind-the-scenes content super fans live for. The deluxe edition’s side missions don’t include any exclusive story lore that changes the main plot, but they do give you extra rewards that make customizing your delivery builds easier early on. If you’re a more casual player who only plans to play through the main story once, or you don’t care about cosmetic skins and digital art books, you can safely skip the deluxe edition without missing anything important. You can upgrade from standard to deluxe after launch if you change your mind, too, so you don’t have to lock in your choice right now during preorders. I know a lot of fans who are waiting to read reviews of the deluxe content after launch before they decide to upgrade, and that’s a totally valid approach, especially if you’re on a tight budget.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Buying the Deluxe Edition
After talking to dozens of other Death Stranding fans in community groups over the past few weeks, I’ve seen a lot of common mistakes pop up when people are looking to buy the deluxe edition. First, don’t buy it thinking you’ll get early access to the main story. The full base game launches on the exact same day for all editions, no matter which one you buy. The only early access you get is to the four optional side missions, which unlock two weeks before they’re available to standard players. Second, don’t fall for resellers marking up “limited physical deluxe copies” for double the retail price. Kojima Productions has confirmed that the deluxe edition is digital-only for all platforms, so any physical deluxe copies being sold online are either fake or just standard copies with fan-made extra content. Some third-party official retailers offer exclusive preorder bonuses with deluxe editions that you won’t get from platform stores, so it’s worth checking a few different trusted sellers before you make your purchase. For example, one major game retailer is offering a free exclusive Death Stranding 2 poster with all deluxe preorders, which you can’t get if you buy directly from the PlayStation or Xbox store. Finally, don’t forget to link your Kojima Productions account to your platform account when you first boot up the game if you buy the deluxe edition. That’s the only way to claim all your exclusive content, and if you don’t do it within 30 days of launch, you might lose access to some of the limited-time perks.
At the end of the day, the Death Stranding 2 Deluxe edition is a great value for long-time fans of the franchise who want to engage with as much of the game’s world and behind-the-scenes content as possible. For casual players or anyone on a tight budget, the standard edition will give you the exact same core game experience without the extra cost. If you’re still on the fence, wait a week after launch to see what other players are saying about the deluxe content, and you can always upgrade later if you decide you want the extra perks. No matter which edition you pick, you’re in for one of the most unique and immersive open world experiences of the year.
