Why Death Stranding 2 Should Be on Every Pacific Rim Fan’s Radar

Death Stranding 2 made quite an entrance at SXSW this week during Hideo Kojima’s panel, where he shared an exciting 10-minute preview of the much-anticipated sequel. With a release date finally announced and a slew of intriguing features, the game is gearing up to deliver a narrative on an epic scale, promising to be even more mind-boggling than the first.

While this sneak peek provided our most comprehensive glimpse into Death Stranding 2 thus far, it also left fans with more questions than answers, a classic Kojima move. One of the most fascinating teasers was the sight of Heartman using a mech tar monster suit. It might sound perplexing, but if there’s one thing Death Stranding excels at, it’s showcasing the uninhibited creativity of the Kojima Productions team. The clue points to the sequel incorporating a Pacific Rim-inspired element, thrilling news for seasoned fans eager to dive in again.

Heartman takes center stage in the new footage, where he remotely controls a tar monster around the nine-and-a-half-minute mark of the trailer. The DHV Magellan, thought to be a tar-traversing ship, looks to serve multiple purposes. In an exhilarating final clip, Heartman, stationed at an undisclosed remote location, commands, “DHV Magellan, integrate,” leading to a giant, headless tar creature aligning the ship where its head would be. Its next move? Squaring off against another formidable foe—an astonishing highlight of the trailer’s many jaw-dropping moments.

The environment Heartman operates in and his command evoke echoes of Pacific Rim’s mech battles. Kojima previously collaborated with Pacific Rim’s Guillermo del Toro on the original Death Stranding, and it seems plausible Kojima might draw inspiration from these mech-centric narratives. However, true to Kojima’s style, these mech suits have been reimagined with a twist. These tar beasts in Death Stranding 2 boast more organic features, a refreshing deviation from traditional mechanized designs.

Fusing these living entities with the metallic DHV Magellan is a captivating blend that players can’t wait to explore further upon the game’s release. Death Stranding’s unique strangeness captivated many back in 2019, even if it didn’t appeal to everyone. The sequel appears ready to elevate the weirdness, a tantalizing prospect for fans eagerly awaiting its release.

Mark your calendars, because preorders for Death Stranding 2 open on March 17.

The countdown is on, with Death Stranding 2 set to launch on June 26, 2025. If you purchase the Digital Deluxe or Collector’s Edition, you can dive in two days early, starting June 24. For now, PlayStation 5 holds the exclusive rights to the sequel. However, the original Death Stranding did eventually make its way to Xbox, so there’s hope this might soon follow.

With an official release date locked in, fans are gearing up to witness the evolution of Death Stranding’s enigmatic post-apocalyptic world. The extent to which tar mechs will play a role remains uncertain, but one thing’s for sure—it’s going to be a breathtaking addition to the gaming landscape.