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

Kojima Productions unveiled an exciting 10-minute trailer for Death Stranding 2 at SXSW, captivating audiences with a mix of familiar and new faces. While stars like Norman Reedus and Lea Seydoux return to their roles from the original Death Stranding, the trailer introduces Italian actor Luca Marinelli, who steps into the spotlight as a character named Neil in Death Stranding 2: On the Beach. Best known to English-speaking audiences for his role as the immortal mercenary Nicky in Netflix's The Old Guard, Marinelli brings a fresh dynamic to the game's narrative.

In the trailer, Neil is first seen in an intense interrogation scene, accused of unspecified crimes. He claims to have been merely doing the "dirty work" for a mysterious man in a suit, who insists that Neil has no choice but to continue his tasks. This leads to a revealing conversation with a Bridges employee named Lucy, played by Marinelli's real-life wife, Alissa Jung. Their dialogue not only hints at a romantic connection but also discloses Neil's involvement in smuggling brain-dead pregnant women, a chilling detail that ties into the game's deeper lore.

The concept of brain-dead pregnant women in Death Stranding connects directly to the series' established mythology. In the first game, Norman Reedus's character, Sam Porter Bridges, carries a Bridge Baby (BB) to detect Beached Things (BTs), which are malevolent spirits that cause devastating Voidouts. These BBs are extracted from brain-dead mothers, creating a limbo state that allows them to communicate with the world of the dead. The smuggling operation Neil is involved in suggests a continuation of the United States government's secretive and controversial experiments with BBs, despite the disastrous consequences seen in the first game.

The trailer also sparks interest with its visual nods to Hideo Kojima's other iconic work, the Metal Gear Solid series. A striking moment comes when Neil ties a bandana around his forehead, strikingly reminiscent of Solid Snake, the protagonist of Metal Gear Solid. This homage is no coincidence; in a 2020 interview, Kojima himself expressed admiration for Marinelli and suggested that he could embody the essence of Solid Snake with a bandana. While Neil is not Solid Snake, the visual and thematic connections to Metal Gear Solid are unmistakable and intentional.

The trailer goes further by weaving in themes central to Metal Gear Solid, particularly the dangers of weapon proliferation and the impact of arms on humanity. Neil's transformation into a Beached Thing, surrounded by undead troops, evokes the imagery and moral dilemmas faced by characters like Solid Snake and Big Boss. The trailer also introduces a colossal bio-robotic giant formed by combining a ship with a BT, reminiscent of the Metal Gear machines from the MGS series, further bridging the gap between the two franchises.

Despite the clear references and thematic similarities, fans should not expect a new Metal Gear Solid game from Kojima, as he parted ways with Konami years ago. However, Death Stranding 2 appears to be a spiritual successor in many ways, blending the cinematic storytelling and epic scope that defined Metal Gear Solid with the unique universe of Death Stranding. With expanded environments and a greater emphasis on combat, Death Stranding 2 promises to be an ambitious evolution of Kojima's visionary work.