Spoiler-Free: Should You Play Death Stranding 1 before Death Stranding 2: On The Beach?

The full launch of the Death Stranding sequel is set for June 26 — an emotional journey from Kojima Productions that confidently stakes its claim as a true work of art. So here's the question: Should you play Death Stranding 1 before Death Stranding 2 to really understand what’s going on in the sequel? Spoiler: not necessarily. The developers have made it clear that the game is designed with newcomers in mind — a common strategy in game design to avoid scaring off potential new players with too much backstory. But there’s a catch.

Death Stranding Plot Structure

The original Death Stranding is a hard game to categorize — somewhere between a cinematic walking simulator and a meditative sci-fi thriller. It leans heavily into slow-paced exploration, emotional storytelling, and high-concept worldbuilding. Think long cutscenes, fragmented symbolism, and a haunting soundtrack that lingers with you.

Importantly, the first game does not feature alternative endings. It tells a linear story from start to finish, guiding players through a very deliberate and authored narrative arc. So if you're the kind of player who likes to chase multiple outcomes, Death Stranding doesn’t play that way. The story has one path, and Kojima walks you down it with a firm grip.

Will You Understand The Plot of Death Stranding 2?

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is a complete story in its own right, one where the main character undergoes major changes and challenges. That means you'll still experience emotional payoff and narrative clarity, even if you're jumping in without playing the first title. The game has been built to deliver a strong, standalone arc.

But there’s a catch. This is a continuation of Sam’s journey — and he’s not just any protagonist. His background, relationships, and internal conflicts are all rooted in the first game. If you want full immersion and a deeper appreciation of Kojima’s world, you’ll get more out of DS2 if you’ve walked a few hundred miles in Sam Porter Bridges’ boots already. There’s a lot going on beneath the surface here, and the sequel wears its status as a philosophical art project of the decade with pride.

Is It Even Worth Playing DS2 on PS5?

Absolutely. Death Stranding 2 is optimized specifically for the PlayStation 5 and currently remains a console exclusive. The official release date is June 26, 2025, and we’ve already broken down the exact release time across all major world regions. The game is built to show off what the PS5 can do — from subtle haptic feedback in the triggers to massive, seamless environments with zero loading screens.

As Kojima says in his social media bio, “My body is 70% made of movies” — so keep that in mind. If you're the type of gamer who needs constant action, rewards, and grinding, you might want to skip this one. Still curious? Then imagine something like Euro Truck Simulator 2, but with futuristic mechanics and a deep, complex story.

Every mechanic, animation, and cinematic is tuned for Sony's hardware. So if you’re looking for a premium, next-gen experience, this is one of those rare games that justifies having a PS5 in the first place. But of course, everyone’s wondering: When is the Death Stranding 2 PC port? While nothing is confirmed yet, Kojima Productions did release the original on PC months after the PS4 launch, so it’s reasonable to expect a similar timeline. For now, though, with the June 26 release locked in, PS5 is the only place to experience it.