If you’re a long-time Kojima Productions fan waiting to return to the post-apocalyptic United Cities of America, you’ve probably already heard rumblings about the Death Stranding 2 Special Edition. Unlike standard game releases that only offer minor skins for premium tiers, this special edition is shaping up to be packed with content that rewards long-time players of the original Death Stranding, as well as new players who want to get the most out of their first playthrough. We’ve pulled together every confirmed detail, from preorder bonuses to unannounced leaks, to help you decide if the premium tier is worth the extra cost over the standard copy.
What’s Included in the Death Stranding 2 Special Edition?
Kojima Productions has slowly rolled out official details for the special edition over the past few months, and most of the included content aligns with what fans expected from the studio’s past premium releases. Every copy comes with both digital and physical items, depending on which version you pick, and none of the exclusive content will be available for individual purchase for at least 12 months after launch. None of the gameplay content in the special edition gives players a competitive edge in multiplayer, so you won’t have to worry about paying to win if you stick to the standard copy. Here’s what’s confirmed so far:
There are also unconfirmed leaks that point to a small, hand-painted figurine of Fragile being included in the highest physical tier, but Kojima Productions hasn’t commented on those rumors as of this writing. If you’re only interested in playing the main story, a lot of these extras might feel unnecessary, but for franchise superfans, the art book and vinyl alone are often worth the premium price tag.
How to Decide If the Special Edition Is Right for You
The price difference between the standard and Death Stranding 2 Special Edition is roughly $70, depending on your region and retailer, so it’s not a small extra expense to take on lightly. You’ll get the most value out of it if you plan to play through the story multiple times, dive into the multiplayer features, and collect physical merch from Kojima’s projects. If you only plan to play the main story once and skip post-launch content, the standard edition is almost certainly the better pick for your needs. Many players like to compare special edition value across other recent premium game releases to see if they’re getting a fair deal, and some gaming deal communities even track limited-time discounts for premium game tiers before launch. For example, players who are hunting for early preorder bonuses or exclusive bundle offers often check membership perks for gaming reward programs, and Royal Yono Vip is one option that occasionally runs limited preorder bundles with extra collectible items for high-profile game launches. It’s always worth checking all available reward programs before you lock in your preorder, to make sure you’re getting the most extra content for your money.
Another thing to consider is the long-term resale value of physical special edition copies. Past Kojima Productions special editions, like the Death Stranding Director’s Cut premium release, have sold for more than double their original price on secondhand markets just two years after launch, so if you keep your copy in good condition, it could even end up being a small investment down the line. Just make sure you don’t open the sealed physical items if you plan to resell it later, as opened copies lose almost all of their collector value.
Common Preorder Mistakes to Avoid With the Special Edition
Preordering premium game editions can come with a lot of hidden catches, and we’ve seen dozens of fans miss out on exclusive perks because they didn’t read the fine print before purchasing. First, make sure you’re buying from an authorized retailer if you want to get all of the advertised preorder bonuses. Third-party resellers often advertise special editions at lower prices, but they rarely include the preorder-exclusive BB pod skin that’s only available for customers who order before launch day. You also want to double-check which version you’re buying, as some retailers list the digital-only special edition alongside the physical version, and they’re not interchangeable. If you want the physical art book and vinyl, you have to explicitly select the physical special edition tier, as the digital tier only comes with the in-game content and season pass.
Many fans also make the mistake of waiting too long to preorder, as Kojima Productions only produces a limited run of physical special edition copies. Once they sell out before launch, you’ll almost certainly have to pay a markup on secondhand markets to get one, so if you know you want a copy, it’s better to lock in your preorder as early as possible. You can always cancel your preorder later if you change your mind, but you won’t get a second chance to lock in the retail price once stock runs out.
Exclusive Multiplayer Perks for Special Edition Owners
While we mentioned earlier that there are no pay-to-win perks for special edition owners, there are a few exclusive multiplayer features that make the premium tier worth considering if you spend a lot of time in the game’s cooperative delivery modes. First, special edition owners get access to a private, members-only multiplayer lobby where they can team up with other premium players for high-difficulty delivery missions that offer rare cosmetic rewards. These high-difficulty missions don’t drop exclusive gameplay items, but they do have unique cosmetics that won’t be available to standard players at any point after launch. You also get a special “Special Edition Supporter” tag that shows up next to your username whenever other players see your structures in their game world, so other players will know you’re a long-time fan of the franchise.
Some players have worried that these tags will lead to special edition players getting preferential treatment, but Kojima Productions has confirmed that all structure functionality is identical across both tiers, so your bridges, zip lines, and rest stops will work exactly the same way for standard players as they do for other special edition owners. The only difference is the small tag next to your name, which is entirely cosmetic, and you can turn it off in your account settings if you don’t want other players to see it.
At the end of the day, whether the Death Stranding 2 Special Edition is worth the extra cost comes down to how much you care about exclusive collectibles, post-launch content, and small cosmetic perks for multiplayer. If you’re a casual player who just wants to experience the new story, you won’t miss out on any core gameplay by picking up the standard edition. If you’re a long-time Kojima fan who still has your original Death Stranding special edition on your shelf, the extra content in this premium tier will almost certainly live up to your expectations. Just make sure you shop around for the best preorder deal, check for any reward program perks, and lock in your order early if you want a physical copy before they sell out.
