Kojima Unveils New 'Solid Snake': Death Stranding 2 Echoes Metal Gear Solid

Kojima Productions unveiled an exciting new 10-minute trailer for Death Stranding 2 at SXSW, captivating fans with both familiar and fresh faces. Among the returning stars like Norman Reedus and Lea Seydoux, a new character, portrayed by Luca Marinelli, takes center stage. Marinelli, known for his role as the immortal mercenary Nicky in Netflix’s The Old Guard, steps into the shoes of Neil in Death Stranding 2: On the Beach.

In Death Stranding 2, Luca Marinelli embodies the character Neil, introduced in an intense interrogation scene. Accused of mysterious crimes, Neil claims to be merely carrying out the "dirty work" for a man in a suit, who insists Neil has "no choice" but to continue. The trailer then shifts to Neil conversing with Lucy, a Bridges employee played by Marinelli's real-life wife, Alissa Jung, hinting at their romantic involvement and revealing Neil's dangerous job: smuggling brain-dead pregnant women.

Wait, brain-dead pregnant women?

This concept echoes the iconic imagery from the original Death Stranding, where Norman Reedus's character, Sam Porter Bridges, carries a Bridge Baby (BB) in a glowing orange flask. BBs, derived from brain-dead mothers, exist in a limbo state, enabling communication with the world of the dead and the detection of Beached Things (BTs). These BTs, malevolent souls trapped in the living world, can trigger catastrophic Voidouts. Before the events of the first game, the U.S. Government secretly continued BB experiments despite public cessation after a disastrous Voidout in Manhattan. Neil's smuggling ties into this continued, illicit research.

Is Solid Snake in Death Stranding 2?

The trailer concludes with Neil donning a bandana, striking a resemblance to Solid Snake from Kojima's Metal Gear Solid series. While Neil isn't Solid Snake, the visual homage is intentional. Hideo Kojima has previously mentioned Marinelli's striking similarity to Solid Snake, suggesting a playful nod to his past work.

How Death Stranding 2 connects to Metal Gear Solid

The trailer evokes Metal Gear through multiple references. Neil's transformation into a Beached state, surrounded by undead soldiers, parallels Cliff Unger from the first game. The narrative delves into themes of gun culture and weapon proliferation, core elements of the Metal Gear series. Neil's appearance, briefly morphing into a skull, might signify Kojima's artistic reflection on the "death" of the Metal Gear franchise, suggesting Neil as a metaphysical embodiment of Solid Snake.

Additionally, the trailer showcases Heartman merging the DHV Magellan with a colossal BT to form a bio-robotic giant, reminiscent of the Sahalanthropus from Metal Gear Solid 5. This cinematic trailer's style and length also hark back to the impactful Red Band trailer of Metal Gear Solid 5, blending gameplay and cutscenes seamlessly.

Will there be another Kojima Metal Gear Solid game?

It's highly unlikely that Hideo Kojima will return to the Metal Gear Solid series, having parted ways with Konami. However, the influence of Metal Gear is evident in Death Stranding 2, where Kojima draws inspiration from his past work to craft a new narrative. The sequel promises larger, more varied environments and an increased focus on combat, signaling an evolution that feels reminiscent of a new Metal Gear Solid experience.