Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is right around the corner, and many are eager to find out how Hideo Kojima’s wild post-apocalyptic adventure compares to its predecessor. Leading up to its June release, Kojima Productions has teased a lot of exciting features set to be included in Death Stranding 2, but there are bound to be even more surprises in store, too.
It’s been made clear by early footage that exploring in Death Stranding 2 is being brought to even greater heights. From new terrain to different environmental hazards, Death Stranding 2 promises a more well-rounded experience overall. The first Death Stranding had its fair share of fun Easter eggs hidden in its world, but if the sequel wants to take this even further, then taking note of PlayStation’s tradition of referencing other exclusive franchises might be the key to doing so.
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Death Stranding 2 Looks Like the RPG the First Game Only Flirted With
Death Stranding 2’s Proficiency system shapes Sam’s growth through gameplay choices, making it far more of an RPG than the first game ever was.
Death Stranding 2 Can Add an Extra Layer to Its Exploration With PlayStation Easter Eggs
Astro Bot is Far From the Only Reference-Heavy PlayStation Title
A lot of the charm of Astro Bot hinges on its premise as a fun-filled ode to the PlayStation. There are a whopping 195 cameos in Astro Bot that call back to beloved PlayStation series, but this award-winning platformer definitely isn’t the first time Sony-exclusive developers have embraced calling out other games.
Ghost of Tsushima, The Last of Us, and Horizon Zero Dawn all reference other games in subtle ways. When it comes to Horizon Zero Dawn, the reference in question is actually Death Stranding. Since Kojima Productions uses Guerrilla Games’ Decima engine, this homage only makes sense, but it’s still a fun surprise for fans of the Kojima story. If Death Stranding 2 wanted to surprise players even further, going all-in with Easter eggs could help incentivize exploring every possible corner of the game’s world.
Ghost of Tsushima references past Sucker Punch games Sly Cooper and Infamous, while Naughty Dog’s The Last of Us features plenty of Jak and Daxter Easter eggs.
Death Stranding’s Blend of Wackiness and Sincerity Makes it a Great Game to Embrace Fun References
The universe that Kojima and the rest of the team at Kojima Productions have brought to life is truly unique. An apocalyptic world that is ravaged by tar-like ghosts is strange enough, but deeper concepts like BBs and The Beach can be a lot to wrap one’s head around. The ideas brought forth in Death Stranding can sometimes even border on goofy, but Sam and his story help ground the world, offering a strong balance of out-of-this-world concepts and an emotional journey.
The first Death Stranding wasn’t afraid to lean into its playful side with items like the Otter Hood, so the sequel could be the perfect story to have fun with shouting out other PlayStation IPs. Hideo Kojima is skilled at finding unexpected ways to surprise players, and wild Sony-inspired cameos might be a great twist.
From new terrain to different environmental hazards, Death Stranding 2 promises a more well-rounded experience overall.
Death Stranding 2 has already featured a nod to a past Kojima game. The brand-new character Neil looks an awful lot like Solid Snake from Metal Gear Solid.
Death Stranding 2’s Mysterious Story is About to Unfold
- Death Stranding 2 launches for the PS5 on June 26, 2025.
- The game has already gone gold.
The wait to learn more about Sam and his allies on their journey isn’t much longer. With returning characters mixed with a fresh cast, Death Stranding 2 is teasing a much bigger story than its predecessor’s already daunting narrative. As one of the biggest launches of the year, it will be exciting to see how Death Stranding 2 improves upon the first game.
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
- Released
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June 26, 2025
- ESRB
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Mature 17+ // Violence, Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Strong Language
- Publisher(s)
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Sony Interactive Entertainment
- Engine
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Decima
- Franchise
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Death Stranding
- Number of Players
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Single-player
- PS5 Release Date
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June 26, 2025
