Death Stranding 2: On the Beach lands on PlayStation 5 today, and fans are already deep into Hideo Kojima’s wild, mind-bending world. It’s trippy. It’s emotional. It’s full of package delivery, monorails, and existential dread.
If that sounds strange—it is. But that’s Kojima for you.
Here’s why the sequel is trending hard, what’s new, and what PC players should prep for while they wait.
What’s New This Time Around
Set just under a year after the original game, Death Stranding 2 brings back Sam Porter Bridges (Norman Reedus) and Fragile (Léa Seydoux), while introducing fresh faces like Tomorrow (Elle Fanning). The action moves to Mexico and Australia, and the threat of creepy “Beached Things” (BTs) still looms large.
The story—rewritten during the pandemic—is full of themes about isolation, healing, and human connection. Kojima, as always, isn’t just telling a story. He’s making a statement.
Some standout upgrades:
- Bigger open world with earthquakes, storms, and wild terrain
- Custom vehicles and even monorail building
- New combat and stealth options
- 60 FPS performance on base PS5 at 1440p—fans are calling it buttery smooth
- A cinematic soundtrack by Woodkid, out since June 13
Why It’s Trending Right Now
Let’s break it down:
- Kojima’s Touch – Nobody makes games like him. Between Metal Gear and Death Stranding, his style is one-of-a-kind. Players are here for the weirdness.
- Massive Cast – Elle Fanning. George Miller. Troy Baker. The game feels like a film, and the actors give it real weight.
- Critical Praise – 97% recommended on OpenCritic. “Universal acclaim” on Metacritic. It’s not for everyone—but for fans, it’s a masterpiece.
- Cultural Timing – The post-COVID themes hit hard. People are relating.
- Deluxe Edition Hype – Early access two days ago built momentum. And yes, those visuals on PS5 are insane.
PC Gamers: Here’s What You’ll (Probably) Need
There’s no official PC release date yet, but it’s expected in late 2025 or early 2026—just like the first game’s rollout.
In the meantime, here’s what PC players should expect based on expert predictions and Decima engine benchmarks:
Minimum (Low settings @ 1080p, 30 FPS)
- OS: Windows 10 64-bit
- CPU: Intel i5-11600K / AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
- GPU: GTX 1060 (6 GB) / RX 5600 XT (6 GB)
- RAM: 12 GB
- Storage: 100 GB SSD
- DirectX: 12
- Note: AVX support required
Recommended (High settings @ 1440p, 60 FPS)
- CPU: Intel i7-12700 / AMD Ryzen 7 5800X
- GPU: RTX 3070 / RX 6800 XT
- RAM: 16 GB
- Storage: 100 GB NVMe SSD
Ultra (4K @ 60 FPS, Ultra settings)
- CPU: Intel i9-13900K / Ryzen 9 7900X
- GPU: RTX 4070 Ti / RX 7900 XT
- RAM: 32 GB
- Storage: 150 GB NVMe SSD
- Note: Ray tracing support, beefy cooling recommended
So yeah—it’s gonna be a system hog. But that’s the price of beauty.
Google Trends: It’s Blowing Up
Searches for Death Stranding 2 have been rising steadily since the 2022 announcement. Interest spiked again after trailer drops in 2024—and now, with the full launch, it’s exploding. Searches like “Death Stranding 2 system requirements” are especially hot among PC users.
Not All Smooth Sailing
Even with all the praise, there’s some friction:
- No PC Launch Yet – Many fans are annoyed at the wait. No firm date = lots of speculation.
- Demanding Specs – Not everyone’s rocking a next-gen rig. Some worry they’ll be left behind.
- Kojima’s Deep Lore – The storytelling is dense. For newcomers, it might feel like homework. But don’t worry—you don’t need to play the first game to follow the sequel.
How to Get Started
Playing on PS5?
Grab:
- Standard Edition – $69.99
- Digital Deluxe – $79.99 (includes early access, skins, art book, and extras)
Waiting for PC?
- Start prepping your rig—especially if you want high-res performance
- Check your setup at CanIRunTheGame.com
- Revisit the original Death Stranding: Director’s Cut on Steam or PS Plus to catch up
Join the Conversation
- Post with #DeathStranding2
- Share your thoughts or setup screenshots
- Send your reactions to tips@whythisistrending.com