If you’re a fan of Hideo Kojima’s idiosyncratic delivery-focused post-apocalyptic franchise, you’ve probably spent hours parsing every 30-second teaser trailer for crumbs of info about the upcoming sequel. The first question most PC players ask as soon as a new high-profile console game is announced is if Death Stranding 2 on Steam will be available at launch, or if they’ll have to wait out a timed exclusivity window. The first Death Stranding was a surprise hit on Steam, selling over 3 million copies in its first year on PC and earning a 92% positive user review rating thanks to thoughtful optimizations and PC-exclusive features. It’s no surprise fans have high expectations for the sequel’s PC launch. I’ve been replaying the first Death Stranding on my Steam Deck recently, and the smooth performance and portability made me even more excited for what the sequel will offer on PC.
When Will Death Stranding 2 on Steam Be Available?
As of current official announcements, Death Stranding 2 is first launching exclusively on PlayStation 5, just like the first game launched first on PlayStation 4. Kojima Productions has not shared an exact length for the exclusivity window, but we can make a very educated guess based on the studio’s past release patterns. The original Death Stranding came to Steam 8 months after its PS4 launch, and the Director’s Cut version arrived on PC 12 months after its PS5 release. There is no confirmed Steam release date as of 2024, but all signs point to a PC launch 6 to 12 months after the initial PS5 release.
Leaked industry reports suggest the PS5 version of Death Stranding 2 will launch in late 2025, which would put a Steam release somewhere between mid-2026 and early 2027. Take these leaks with a grain of salt, though, as Kojima is famous for pushing back release dates to make sure every part of the game meets his exacting standards. The studio has explicitly stated that PC is a core priority for this release, so you won’t be waiting multiple years for a port like you might for some first-party Sony games.
Exclusive Features We Expect for the Steam Release
Kojima Productions didn’t cut corners on the first Death Stranding’s PC port, and they’ve already confirmed they have an in-house PC development team working on the sequel, so no third-party outsourcing will be involved this time around. That means you can expect far fewer launch day bugs, better performance across different hardware setups, and more features tailored specifically to PC players. 4K/8K support with uncapped framerates will be available from day one, with full customization for graphics settings to fit every build from budget laptops to high-end gaming rigs.
The team has also teased several PC-exclusive features that won’t be available on the console version, based on fan feedback from the first game’s Steam release. These include:
- Full support for DLSS 4, FSR 4, and Intel XeSS upscaling tech to boost performance on all GPU generations, even if you’re running older hardware
- Steam Cloud saves that sync seamlessly across desktop and Steam Deck play sessions, so you can pick up your delivery right where you left off whether you’re at your desk or on a train
- Optional custom difficulty sliders not available on console versions, for players who want to turn down combat challenge to focus on traversal, or crank up the difficulty for a more punishing run
- Native support for ultrawide 21:9 and 32:9 monitors, a fan favorite feature from the first Death Stranding PC port that makes the game’s sprawling open world feel even more immersive
Mod support is also in the works, with the studio planning to release official mod tools a few months after launch so players can create custom delivery routes, character skins, gameplay overhauls, and more. The first game’s modding scene was small but dedicated, so the official tools should open up a lot of new possibilities for the community.
Multiplayer Details for Steam Players
The original Death Stranding’s asynchronous social strand system was one of its most beloved features, letting players leave ladders, bridges, supply caches, and other helpful structures for each other to use as they traversed the ruined United States. The system is getting a major overhaul for the sequel, with both synchronous and asynchronous options available for players who want more social interaction. Steam players will be able to form temporary delivery parties with up to 3 other players, even if they’re on PS5, to tackle high-risk long-distance routes together.
Cross-play is fully supported for all multiplayer features, so you won’t be locked out of playing with friends who own the console version. If you prefer to play solo, you don’t have to engage with any of the synchronous multiplayer features at all – the asynchronous strand system will still work just like it did in the first game, and you can turn off all player-to-player interactions entirely if you want a fully solo experience. There are also optional competitive delivery challenges, where you can race other players to complete high-priority deliveries for rare in-game rewards, but these are completely optional and won’t interrupt your solo play.
Steam-specific achievements will also be available, with exclusive in-game rewards tied to multiplayer milestones, like unique backpack customizations for getting 10,000 likes on structures you’ve left for other players, or special vehicle skins for completing 50 co-op deliveries with other players.
How to Prepare for the Launch Right Now
Even if the Steam release is still a couple of years away, there are a few simple things you can do now to make sure you’re ready as soon as the game drops, and avoid common scams that pop up around high-profile game launches. First, if you haven’t played the first Death Stranding, grab it on Steam during one of its frequent sales and play through the main story. The sequel picks up 5 years after the end of the first game, with a lot of returning characters and plot threads that won’t make much sense if you go in blind. You don’t have to 100% the game, but finishing the main story will give you all the context you need to enjoy the sequel.
Add Death Stranding 2 to your Steam wishlist as soon as the official store page goes live, and you’ll get instant notifications as soon as there’s a release date announcement, pre-order bonus details, or launch discounts. Wishlisting the game also helps Valve know how much demand there is, which can lead to better launch support and more visibility for the game on the store. Never purchase pre-order keys from unvetted third-party sellers, as these are almost always scams that will leave you without access to the game on launch day. The only legitimate place to pre-order the game is the official Steam store page, which won’t go live until Kojima Productions officially announces the PC release date.
If you plan to play the game on Steam Deck, make sure you have enough storage space – the game is expected to be around 120GB at launch, so you might want to pick up a high-capacity microSD card if you don’t already have one to make room for it. You can also follow Kojima Productions’ official social channels for early updates about mod tools, pre-order bonuses, and beta testing opportunities that are only shared with their follower base first.
Even if you have to wait a little longer for Death Stranding 2 on Steam than PS5 players do, the extra PC features, better performance, mod support, and cross-play options will make the wait more than worth it for most PC fans. If you’re a casual player who doesn’t mind waiting for a polished, fully optimized experience with extra features, holding out for the Steam release is easily the best choice you can make for your first playthrough. We’ll update this guide as soon as we get official confirmation of a release date, pricing, or pre-order details, so check back regularly for the latest updates.
