Death Stranding 2: On the Beach PC Version Adds Ray Tracing, Frame Generation, and New Content Ahead of March 19 Launch
Kojima Productions is giving the PC release of Death Stranding 2: On the Beach a notable visual and feature upgrade over the original PlayStation 5 launch version, with ray tracing support, frame generation, uncapped framerates, and broad upscaling support all arriving when the game launches on March 19, 2026. The details were confirmed in a new post on the Official PlayStation Blog, which also outlines several gameplay additions that will arrive on both PC and PS5 the same day.
The biggest PC exclusive rendering addition is clearly ray tracing. According to the PlayStation Blog, players with powerful enough hardware will be able to enable ray traced reflections and ray traced ambient occlusion through additional graphics settings. Kojima Productions says ray traced reflections will affect surfaces such as water and tar, while ray traced ambient occlusion will improve how shadows form in corners, crevices, and between objects. The studio explicitly says these options are meant to push visual quality beyond the existing “Very High” preset, and also notes that ray tracing is not part of the minimum or recommended specifications, meaning it is treated as an extra feature rather than a baseline requirement.
Beyond ray tracing, the PC version will include a full stack of modern graphics and platform features. Kojima Productions confirms support for NVIDIA DLSS, AMD FSR, and Intel XeSS, along with upscaling and frame generation technologies, uncapped framerates, custom graphical settings, 32:9 super ultrawide support for gameplay, 21:9 ultrawide support for in game cutscenes, full mouse and keyboard support with custom keybind mapping, DualSense haptic feedback and adaptive triggers, and Spatial Sound support. The same post also notes that 21:9 standard ultrawide support will be added to the PS5 version as well.
The update is not only about graphics. Kojima Productions is also adding a new extreme difficulty mode called “to the wilder”, which the studio describes as a punishing challenge built around harsher environments and deadlier enemies. Players will also be able to unlock new fieldware, including bandanas, through the newly added “Trapped in a Strange Realm” content, a VR training area focused on Sam’s confrontations with Neil, and new Photo Mode additions including the Chiral Feline, which can also appear in Sam’s private room aboard the DHV Magellan. Importantly, the blog says all of these content additions are coming to the PlayStation 5 version at the same time.
That platform split is the key takeaway. The new gameplay content and standard ultrawide support are shared across both PC and PS5, while the more advanced technical features such as ray tracing, frame generation, uncapped framerate support, and the broader PC graphics options remain part of the PC release. That makes the March 19 update feel less like a simple port and more like a meaningful expanded edition for high end PC players.
Kojima Productions has also published a new trailer titled “No Rain, No Rainbow”, which accompanies the announcement and showcases the new features. The studio warns, however, that the trailer contains heavy late game spoilers, so players who have not finished the game may want to avoid it until after launch.
For PC players, this release gives Death Stranding 2 a significantly stronger technical package than many expected, especially with ray tracing added on top of the already dense visual style of the game. For PS5 players, the simultaneous content additions help ensure the console version is not left behind entirely. Either way, March 19 is shaping up to be a meaningful second phase for Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, not just a standard platform expansion.
Engagement
Will you be trying Death Stranding 2 on PC for the ray tracing and frame generation upgrades, or sticking with the PS5 version?
