Death Stranding 2 Puts Early Access Incentives Under the Microscope All Over Again

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Death Stranding 2 for PS5 is set to launch on June 26th, 2025, but here’s a twist – if you wait until that date, you would actually be two days late! The reason being, Sony has followed the trend of offering “early access” to games in premium editions, and Death Stranding 2 is no exception, as part of Kojima Productions’ latest effort.

As a passionate gamer eagerly anticipating the upcoming PS5 exclusive, here’s some exciting news: If you opt for the $230 Collector’s Edition or the $80 Digital Deluxe Edition, you’ll get an early start on the action! You can dive into the game two full days ahead of its official release date, which is 24th June.

However, some are questioning whether this early access comes at a price. The rising criticism towards this perk suggests that, technically speaking, you aren’t actually paying to play the game early; instead, it seems like an added bonus for those who choose these specific editions. But hey, who am I to argue with a little extra gaming time?

Unlike games like Hades 2 or No Rest for the Wicked, where the Early Access tag is accurate because they’re both under active development and we’re given an early peek a year before their final release, the use of the term “Early Access” in relation to Death Stranding 2 and Forza Horizon 5 feels a bit misleading. It seems more like a marketing tactic than a true reflection of where these games are in their development cycle.

On June 24th, the “early access” edition of Death Stranding 2 becomes available. This isn’t a preliminary version; it’s the complete product that Kojima Productions has designed for everyone to enjoy, regardless if they’ve already pre-ordered an edition set to launch two days later. In essence, you’re not buying early access at all. Instead, you could argue that those who opt for the standard $70 release are actually waiting an extra two days, not getting the early advantage as one might assume.

As a dedicated gamer, I can’t help but question the tactics some publishers employ. In this case, it seems they’re offering temporary bonuses to entice players into spending more than they would on the standard version. However, what makes this instance stand out for PS5 owners is that Death Stranding 2 appears to be heavily story-driven. This could potentially lead to plot spoilers leaking online, as there might be a publicly accessible version of the game that Sony deems fair play, rather than an unintentional leak.

For now, at least, it seems that the approach of selling a pricier edition with an “early access” label won’t be disappearing soon. A glance through the pre-order section on the PlayStation Store shows games like Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4, Atomfall, Forza Horizon 5, The First Berserker: Khazan, DOOM: The Dark Ages, Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, and Hell Is Us all providing early access if you opt for the expanded version.

The argument is: you’re not paying to play early; you’re paying to avoid starting late.

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2025-03-10 04:36