PlayStation classic gets surprise release on Xbox today – it only took five years

By now we're used to seeing Microsoft let some of its big first-party Xbox titles go to PlayStation, most notably the upcoming Indiana Jones title from Machine Games. But it's not often you see a PlayStation title go the other way and hop the fence.

While Kojima Productions' 2019 epic Death Stranding was built in collaboration between Metal Gear Solid creator Hideo Kojima and Sony's PlayStation team (the game is built on the Decima engine that Guerilla Games developed), it's finally coming to Xbox fans with a surprise reveal today – and you can download it right now on Xbox Series X and S.

Death Stranding finally comes to Xbox

Arriving chillingly close to the COVID pandemic, Death Stranding sees players working to reunite a desolate world as Sam Porter Bridges, played by The Walking Dead's Norman Reedus.

The game has come to PC in the years since its release, but we'd just about given up hope on it being playable on a Microsoft console.

“It is my pleasure to finally announce that Death Stranding Director's Cut will be delivered to Xbox players,” the game's creator Hideo Kojima said.

“I would like to thank all the fans who have stayed connected with us as well as everyone in the Xbox community who have been patiently waiting. Kojima Productions (Death Stranding) will continue to connect more and more players around the world, so please stay tuned.”

This Director's Cut, which is also available on PlayStation and PC, includes Photo Mode, as well as Xbox Achievements, while Kojima also confirmed that his studio now has ownership of the Death Stranding IP. Whether that means Death Stranding 2: On the Beach could also target other consoles and not just PS5 remains to be seen, but it'll be interesting to find out.

If you are interested in trying the first game on Xbox, there's a 50% launch discount available right now.

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