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

Start with:

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

    Sam Porter Bridges reconnects America—Kojima Productions' debut.

    Overview
    Strand Game delivery traversal, BT encounters, and social strand systems.
    In-game setting
    Franchise opener. Prefer Death Stranding Director's Cut for modern play—FAQ.
    Should you play it?
    Franchise start—Director's Cut is the usual 2026 buy for this campaign.
    Release date
    US PS4 November 8, 2019; PC July 14, 2020 (Steam 1190460).
  2. Death Stranding Director's Cut

    Death Stranding Director's Cut

    PS5PCActionRemasterMainline

    Definitive first game—new missions, DualSense, and quality-of-life.

    Overview
    Extra story missions, races, and PS5 presentation upgrades.
    In-game setting
    Same Story slot as 2019 Death Stranding—replaces it for most players.
    Should you play it?
    Default way to play Sam's first campaign in 2026.
    Release date
    US PS5 September 24, 2021; PC March 30, 2022 (Steam 1850570).
  3. Death Stranding 2: On the Beach

    Death Stranding 2: On the Beach

    PS5PCActionMainlineSam

    Direct sequel—Australia, companions, and a new connection question.

    Overview
    Expanded companion play and a broader post–Death Stranding world.
    In-game setting
    Play after the first game / Director's Cut.
    Should you play it?
    Current end of the Death Stranding mainline path as of 2026.
    Release date
    US PS5 June 26, 2025; PC March 19, 2026 (Steam 3280350).

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 row 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.