GameTimeline

Release & story order

Death Stranding timeline

Death Stranding from the 2019 Kojima Productions debut through Death Stranding 2: On the Beach (2025)—US release dates, Sam Porter Bridges story order, Director's Cut vs original, and FAQ for PC ports, Metal Gear ties, and where newcomers should start in 2026.

Updated August 2026

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Release order Story order

Release order

When Kojima Productions and PlayStation shipped each Death Stranding chapter in the US—Death Stranding (2019) through Death Stranding 2: On the Beach (2025), including the Director's Cut and later PC ports.

  • Newcomers 2026 → Director's Cut → Death Stranding 2
  • PS4 discs → 2019 Death Stranding → DS2 on PS5 (or upgrade path)
  • PC → Director's Cut, then DS2 (PC March 2026)
  • Skip Metal Gear for this franchise path
Story order tips

One strand: Death Stranding / Director's Cut → Death Stranding 2: On the Beach. Director's Cut retells the first campaign with extras—use it instead of the 2019 original for modern play.

  • Core path: Death Stranding → On the Beach
  • Do not start with DS2—heavy sequel setup
  • Director's Cut replaces 2019 for the first campaign
  • On Story order, later entries may be hidden—reveal when ready or use Show all spoilers

Timeline

When each game was released. Click a game for platforms, dates, and where it fits in your playthrough.

Release order

  1. Death Stranding

    Death Stranding

    PS4PCActionMainlineSam

    Death Stranding is Kojima Productions’ strand-connector epic—Sam Porter Bridges rebuilds a fractured America.

    Overview
    Traversal-as-gameplay with cargo balance, BT encounters, and asynchronous player structures in a lonely landscape. Later chapters still answer the systems and tone this entry set.
    In-game setting
    United Cities of America arc. Director's Cut replaces base for most buyers.
    Should you play it?
    Series start—prefer Director's Cut for 2026. Leads into On the Beach. Current storefront editions are the practical buy for newcomers.
    Release date
    US PS4 November 8, 2019; PC July 2020. Director's Cut later on PS5/PC.
  2. Death Stranding Director's Cut

    Death Stranding Director's Cut

    PS5PCActionRemasterMainline

    Death Stranding Director's Cut is the definitive first game—extra missions, racetrack toys, and PS5 DualSense polish.

    Overview
    Expands the 2019 campaign with quality-of-life routes and additional story/boss content without a new sequel plot. Later chapters still answer the systems and tone this entry set.
    In-game setting
    Same Story slot as Death Stranding—use this edition. Then continue to On the Beach. Neighboring story-order titles cover continuity if you skip optional branches.
    Should you play it?
    Default way to play DS1 in 2026 before Death Stranding 2. Current storefront editions are the practical buy for newcomers.
    Release date
    US PS5 September 24, 2021; PC March 30, 2022.
  3. Death Stranding 2: On the Beach

    Death Stranding 2: On the Beach

    PS5PCActionMainlineSam

    Death Stranding 2: On the Beach continues Sam’s strand-connecting work—Australia-set sequel with returning stars.

    Overview
    Sequel traversal fantasy with refined cargo tools and a new continental map after the UCA ending. Later chapters still answer the systems and tone this entry set.
    In-game setting
    Direct sequel. Start only after finishing DS1 / Director's Cut for character payoff. Neighboring story-order titles cover continuity if you skip optional branches.
    Should you play it?
    Current end of the path as of 2026. Play after Director's Cut. Current storefront editions are the practical buy for newcomers.
    Release date
    US PS5 June 26, 2025; PC later per platform announcements.

FAQ

Release vs story order, Director's Cut, On the Beach, and related games.

Release order

Release order is when each Death Stranding game launched in the US (2019–2025)—including Director's Cut and later PC ports. Story order is Death Stranding → Death Stranding 2: On the Beach. Director's Cut retells the first campaign. Metal Gear stays off this page.

Recommended: Death Stranding Director's Cut → Death Stranding 2: On the Beach. You do not need the 2019 original if you own Director's Cut. Do not start with DS2 if you want Sam's full story.

Story path

On the Beach (PS5 2025 / PC 2026) is a direct sequel. Play it after Death Stranding / Director's Cut. It assumes you know the first game's characters and ending—skipping DS1 means heavy spoilers and missing setup.

Director's Cut & editions

Director's Cut (PS5 2021 / PC 2022) includes the full first campaign plus extra missions and quality-of-life. For most players it replaces the 2019 base game. This page keeps the 2019 entry for Release history.

Optional & related

No. Death Stranding is its own Kojima Productions series. Easter eggs and shared DNA exist, but Metal Gear is not on this play path. See the Metal Gear Solid timeline if you want that franchise separately.

More timelines

Other release-order and story-order guides on this site.