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

Kojima Productions recently unveiled an exciting new trailer for Death Stranding 2 at SXSW, and it's stirring up quite the buzz among fans. The trailer, clocking in at 10 minutes, introduces us to a fresh face in the Death Stranding universe: Luca Marinelli. Known for his role as the immortal mercenary Nicky in Netflix's The Old Guard, Marinelli steps into the shoes of Neil in Death Stranding 2: On the Beach.

Who is Luca Marinelli playing in Death Stranding 2?

In Death Stranding 2, Luca Marinelli brings to life the character Neil. The trailer kicks off with Neil in an intense interrogation scene, where he's accused of unspecified crimes by a man in a suit. Neil claims he was merely doing the "dirty work" for this mysterious figure, hinting at a strained working relationship. As the scene unfolds, we see Neil conversing with a Bridges employee named Lucy, portrayed by Marinelli's real-life wife, actress Alissa Jung. Their conversation not only hints at a romantic connection but also reveals Neil's role in smuggling cargo—specifically, brain-dead pregnant women.

Wait, brain-dead pregnant women?

For those familiar with the original Death Stranding, this might ring a bell. Remember Sam Porter Bridges, played by Norman Reedus, with a glowing orange flask containing a baby? That baby is a Bridge Baby (BB), created from a brain-dead mother. BBs exist in a state between life and death, allowing them to interact with the world of the dead and detect Beached Things (BTs). These BTs are malevolent souls that can cause devastating Voidouts, akin to nuclear explosions.

Before the events of the first game, the US Government was researching BBs to understand Voidouts. However, after a catastrophic experiment in Manhattan led to the city's destruction and the death of the President, the research was officially halted. Yet, it seems the experiments continued covertly, which explains Neil's smuggling activities. He's likely working for the government to support their clandestine research.

Is Solid Snake in Death Stranding 2?

The trailer concludes with a striking image of Neil donning a bandana, strikingly reminiscent of Solid Snake from Kojima's Metal Gear Solid series. While Neil isn't Solid Snake, the visual nod is clearly intentional. Hideo Kojima has long been a fan of Marinelli, even suggesting in a 2020 Instagram post that Marinelli with a bandana would look like Solid Snake. This homage is a clear signal to fans that Kojima is weaving elements of his past work into his new creation.

How Death Stranding 2 connects to Metal Gear Solid

The trailer doesn't stop at visual cues. It delves deeper into thematic connections with Metal Gear Solid, particularly in Neil's journey. Neil becomes "Beached," similar to Cliff Unger in the first game, and leads a platoon of undead warriors. This narrative thread touches on Kojima's recurring theme of the proliferation of weapons and their destabilizing effect on humanity, a cornerstone of the Metal Gear series.

Moreover, the trailer introduces a bio-robotic giant, reminiscent of the Sahalanthropus from Metal Gear Solid 5. This creature, formed by combining the ship DHV Magellan with a colossal BT, echoes the nuclear threat posed by Metal Gear machines. The cinematic quality of the trailer itself mirrors the epic scope of the Metal Gear Solid 5 Red Band trailer, blending gameplay and cutscenes into a showcase of Kojima's vision.

Will there be another Kojima Metal Gear Solid game?

It's unlikely that Hideo Kojima will return to the Metal Gear Solid series after his departure from Konami. However, the themes and imagery of the series clearly continue to inspire him. Death Stranding 2 may not be a Metal Gear Solid game in name, but it certainly draws heavily from that well of creativity. With its ambitious scope, diverse environments, and increased focus on combat, Death Stranding 2 seems poised to be the closest thing to a new Metal Gear Solid game that Kojima fans can hope for.