Death Stranding 2’s PC edition did not show any Denuvo or other DRM on its store listing, and there has been no announcement from Kojima Productions indicating the game would use that type of protection. That means, at launch, players should not have to deal with Denuvo-related performance or background-process concerns. The absence of any DRM flag on the Steam page and the lack of public messaging from the developer are the main indications used to reach that conclusion.
PC players have been sensitive to DRM choices because certain protections can run in the background and, historically, some have been blamed for performance hits. The original Death Stranding arrived on PC with Denuvo enabled, but the publisher later removed it. That prior history made the DRM status for the sequel a common question among PC owners. If you want the technical side of the PC release, including system requirements and the scheduled March 19, 2026, launch, see our piece on PC system requirements for Death Stranding 2.
Store listings and developer statements are the clearest ways to confirm DRM at launch. If the situation changes, this story will be updated to reflect any official announcements. Share your thoughts in the comments and tell us whether DRM affects your purchase decisions, and follow us on X, Bluesky, YouTube, Instagram.
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
Developed by Kojima Productions
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is a third-person action-adventure game set in a post-apocalyptic world ravaged by otherworldly creatures. Players control Sam Porter Bridges, a retired porter, as he traverses the open worlds of Mexico and Australia to connect isolated survivors to a wireless communication network called the Chiral Network. The core gameplay revolves around delivering packages across hazardous terrain, managing cargo weight, building infrastructure like roads and monorails, and navigating natural disasters. Combat has a greater focus than its predecessor, offering lethal and non-lethal options alongside stealth approaches. The game features asynchronous online elements where players can build structures visible to others.
- Genre Shooter, Adventure
- Platforms PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5
- Perspective Third person
- Modes Single player
- Release June 26, 2025
- Publisher Sony Interactive Entertainment, Kojima Productions
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Age Rating
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Time to Beat
- Main
- 35h
- Main + Extras
- 51.3h
- Completionist
- 112.3h
