If you’ve spent the last few years replaying the original Death Stranding on PS4 or PS5, waiting for Hideo Kojima’s next post-apocalyptic delivery adventure, you’re not alone. The PlayStation 5 Death Stranding 2 has been one of the most hyped upcoming releases for the console, and Kojima Productions has dropped just enough teases to keep fans guessing every detail of the new title. The PlayStation 5 Death Stranding 2 is built exclusively for Sony’s latest console, so you won’t be able to play it on PS4, which means all the hardware upgrades are fully optimized for the PS5’s power. I’ve poured over every trailer, developer interview, and leak from trusted industry sources to put together this breakdown of everything we know so far, along with tips to prepare for launch day. Whether you’re a veteran porter who’s delivered hundreds of packages across the first game’s chiral network, or a new player who’s only heard friends rave about the series, this guide has you covered.
PlayStation 5 Death Stranding 2 Exclusive Hardware Upgrades You’ll Notice First
The original Death Stranding got a PS5 upgrade a few years after launch, but this sequel is built from the ground up to take advantage of every feature the console has to offer. You’ll notice the difference the second you boot the game up, starting with the crisp 4K 60fps visuals that make every rocky cliff and snow-covered field feel far more immersive than the original. The PlayStation 5 Death Stranding 2 also supports ray tracing for more realistic lighting, so the snowy mountain peaks and rainy coastal areas look more immersive than ever.
Some of the most impactful upgrades tie directly to the PS5’s unique hardware features:
Kojima Productions has also confirmed that the game will make use of the PS5’s Activity Cards, so you can jump straight into a specific delivery mission directly from the PS5 home screen without having to navigate through in-game menus. That’s a huge time saver if you only have 30 minutes to play and want to knock out a quick delivery before you have to leave for work or run errands. I hated waiting for load times in the original PS4 version, so these upgrades alone make the sequel worth looking forward to for me.
Confirmed and Rumored Death Stranding 2 Story and Character Details
Kojima is famous for keeping plot details under wraps until launch, but we’ve gotten enough teases from official trailers to piece together a rough idea of what to expect from the story. The game is set roughly 10 years after the events of the original Death Stranding, and the chiral network that Sam worked so hard to build is starting to fail. New threats are emerging across the United Cities of America, and Sam is called back into action to figure out what’s going wrong.
One of the biggest questions fans have about PlayStation 5 Death Stranding 2 is whether the game will have multiple endings, and Kojima has hinted that player choices will have a much bigger impact on the story than they did in the first game. We already know a few core characters are returning, with some big changes: Sam is no longer working for Bridges when the game starts, and he’s living a quiet life away from the delivery network when he’s pulled back into the action. Fragile has a new prosthetic arm after the events of the first game, and she’s running her own independent delivery company that competes with Bridges in some regions. Higgs, the main villain from the first game, is also returning, but trailers show him working as a traveling musician and performer, so it’s unclear if he’s still a villain or if he’s switched sides.
We also don’t know yet if other fan favorite characters like Heartman, Die-Hardman, or Mama will be returning, but many fans suspect we’ll see at least a few cameos from the original cast. Kojima has also said the game will flip the core message of the original, where connection was framed as an unqualified good, and ask what happens when that connection becomes a tool for control or harm. I don’t think anyone predicted Higgs would become a pop star figure, but that’s classic Kojima weirdness, so I’m fully on board to see where that arc goes.
New Game Mechanics That Change How You Play As a Porter
The original game’s core loop of delivering packages, managing your load, and avoiding BTs is still fully intact, but Kojima Productions has added a ton of new features that make the experience feel fresh, not just a rehash of the first game. If you’ve played the original, you know how frustrating it is to lose a high-value delivery to a BT attack or a fall down a cliff, and the PlayStation 5 Death Stranding 2 adds new tools to help you avoid those mistakes, like a portable shield that blocks both BT attacks and damage from falls.
Some of the most exciting confirmed mechanics include:
Another new mechanic that has fans excited is the ability to adopt and train a dog companion that can help you sniff out BTs, carry small amounts of cargo, and even pull you up if you fall down a steep hill. I was already sold on the co-op deliveries, but the dog companion might be my favorite new feature announced so far. You don’t have to engage with co-op if you prefer to play solo, but it’s a great option if you’re stuck on a tough delivery that requires carrying 300+ kg of cargo across a mountain range. The only downside to the new dynamic weather system is that it can sometimes slow down your delivery if you get caught in a blizzard right when you’re almost at your destination, so you’ll want to stock up on shelter building materials before you head out on long trips.
Tips to Prepare for Launch Before You Buy
If you’re already counting down the days until you can play, there are a few simple things you can do now to make your first few hours with the game as smooth as possible. First, if you haven’t played the original Death Stranding, now is the perfect time to run through it. You don’t have to 100% it, but playing through the main story will help you understand the core lore, character relationships, and basic mechanics before you jump into the sequel. If you have played the original, go back and revisit your favorite routes to remind yourself what areas you struggled with the most, so you know what skills to prioritize upgrading first in the new game.
Make sure you have at least 150 GB of free space on your PS5 SSD, as native PS5 games tend to take up a lot of storage, and you don’t want to have to delete other games the second the pre-load goes live. If you pre-order PlayStation 5 Death Stranding 2, you’ll get exclusive in-game cosmetics for your porter, including custom backpack designs and vehicle skins, so it’s worth looking into if you know you’re going to buy the game anyway. If you’re worried about the game being too difficult for new players, don’t be. Kojima has confirmed that there will be multiple difficulty settings, so you can adjust the game to match your play style. If you just want to enjoy the story and explore the world without worrying about BTs or damaging your cargo, you can play on easy mode. If you want a real challenge where one wrong move can ruin a 2-hour delivery, you can play on hard mode. That means the game is accessible for everyone, no matter how much experience you have with the series.
You can also follow Kojima’s official social media accounts if you want to get tiny teases in the months leading up to launch, but I prefer to avoid leaks so I can be surprised when I first boot the game up. There’s no wrong way to prepare, as long as you’re ready to jump back into Kojima’s weird, heartfelt post-apocalyptic world when the game launches.
At the end of the day, PlayStation 5 Death Stranding 2 is shaping up to be a worthy sequel that improves on every part of the original, while still keeping the weird, heartfelt charm that made the first game a cult classic. There’s no official release date for PlayStation 5 Death Stranding 2 yet, but all signs point to it launching sometime in the next year, so now is the perfect time to start preparing. Whether you’re here for the wild Kojima story, the relaxing delivery loop, or the fun co-op features with friends, there’s something for every type of player to look forward to. We’ll update this guide as more official details are released, so check back often for the latest news, tips, and breakdowns before launch.
