Kojima Productions’ upcoming sequel, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, has officially received a Mature rating from the ESRB, providing new insight into the game’s tone and content. As the release date of June 26, 2025, approaches, this classification offers a clearer picture of what players can expect in terms of narrative and gameplay maturity.
According to the ESRB, Death Stranding 2 has been rated M for Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Strong Language, and Violence. The rating summary outlines an intense gameplay experience in which players, once again stepping into the shoes of courier Sam Porter Bridges, traverse a sprawling open world in a bid to reconnect a fractured society. Combat plays a central role, with players engaging human enemies, ghostly entities, and even androids through melee and firearm-based confrontations. Tools of battle include everything from battle guitars to sniper rifles.
The game also incorporates stealth mechanics, allowing for silent takedowns and more strategic movement. Some of the more graphic content noted by the ESRB includes depictions of dismemberment, immolation, and other stylized violence. One particularly disturbing scene involves a man being severed in half by a giant machine. Language is also a factor in the rating, with usage of strong profanity such as the word “f**k” being noted.
These content details align with earlier reports about the game’s expanded stealth and combat systems. Players will now have access to a range of tools including decoy holograms and long-range equipment. Sam will be able to learn new skills to enhance stealth efficiency, such as reducing movement noise and improving weapon fire rates.
Beyond combat and stealth, the sequel builds upon the Social Strand System introduced in the original title. This mechanic encourages community engagement, allowing players to support others on their journeys. Doing so can enhance their own reputation and unlock helpful gear. The environmental hazards in Death Stranding 2 are also being taken up a notch, with players expected to face not only sandstorms, but also earthquakes and forest fires during their travels.
The game is being developed using the Decima engine, the same technology behind Horizon: Forbidden West. While no detailed specs have been provided, the official PlayStation site notes that Death Stranding 2 will offer an enhanced experience on the PlayStation 5 Pro. Based on recent technical implementations, it is speculated that the game may rely on Decima’s own temporal upscaling methods rather than the newer PSSR.
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is set to launch exclusively on PlayStation 5 on June 26, 2025.
