In a year packed with blockbuster releases, the stars have aligned to make June 26 an exciting day for two distinct fan bases. Early summer is always an exciting time for gamers as it’s home to events likeSummer Game Fest, along with other industry showcases for what players can expect to see released in the coming years. June also tends to see some major game releases as well, and this yearDeath Stranding 2: On the BeachandPersona 5: The Phantom Xare teed up to make a summer splash on the same day.
Although there isn’t a lot of overlap between thePersonaandDeath Strandingseries, other than both’s brief period of PlayStation exclusivity, fans of these franchises have had to wait a long time for these two games' respective releases. It’s almost serendipitous thatDeath Stranding 2: On the BeachandPersona 5: The Phantom Xwould release on the same day, since the two games won’t really be competing with each other. However, for players excited about both titles, June 26 will be worth marking on their calendars.
Death Stranding and Persona Fans Have a Lot to Celebrate on June 26
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach Brings Players Back to Kojima’s Post-Apocalyptic World
The original 2019 release ofDeath Strandingwas momentous, as it marked Kojima’s first major project since leaving Konami and theMetal Gearseries. Although the title was divisive at the time for its heavy emphasis on walking and minimal combat, the story, characters, and atmosphere ofDeath Strandingearned it a dedicated following of fans waiting to see whereSam Porter Bridges' story would go next. Nearly six years later,Death Stranding 2: On the Beachlooks to take a bold concept to the next level.
From the previews ofDeath Stranding 2: On the Beach, it’s clear that this sequel is primed to further develop the original’s “strand-like” gameplay while weaving more combat into the core gameplay loop. The fact thatDeath Stranding 2is fixing some of the issues the original was criticized for is a sign that the game aims to grow its fan base even more. As such, it’s possible that June 26 could be the release day of one of2025’s Game of the Year contendersthat interested players won’t want to miss.
Persona 5: The Phantom X Makes Its Global Debut
The lead-up toPersona 5: The Phantom X’s Western releasehas also seemed to drag on despite not being as long of a wait as that ofDeath Stranding 2. Players in China, Taiwan, Macau, Hong Kong, and South Korea have had access to the game for over a year now, but whether the game would see a wider release seemed up in the air until Sega and Atlus confirmed the game would be getting a worldwide release on June 26. Despite being a mobile spin-off of thePersonaseries,Persona 5: The Phantom Xis robust enough of an experience that it marks an important release forPersonafans eager for new content ahead ofP6.
P5Xfollows a similar format to the originalPersona 5with players taking on the role of thePhantom Thieves, infiltrating Palaces, and taking down their rulers. However,The Phantom Xtells an alternate version ofPersona 5’s story with a different cast of main characters founding the Phantom Thieves, including protagonist Wonder. Gameplay is very similar to the original game as well, albeit with the addition of gacha mechanics as the main way players can recruit new party members.
Persona 5: The Phantom Xis slated to release on PC, iOS, and Android, whereasDeath Stranding 2is currently releasing as aPlayStation 5 exclusive.
Between obvious genre differences and a lack of overlapping release platforms, it seems likePersona 5: The Phantom XandDeath Stranding 2’s launches are destined to pass one another like ships in the night. However, individually, these two releases mark significant points in their respective series, and the fact that they are both occurring on June 26 is worth celebrating.
