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, showcasing not only familiar faces like Norman Reedus and Léa Seydoux, but also introducing a new character portrayed by Luca Marinelli. Marinelli, an Italian actor known for his role as the immortal mercenary Nicky in Netflix's The Old Guard, takes on the role of Neil in Death Stranding 2: On the Beach.

Luca Marinelli voices and lends his likeness to Neil, a character central to the new trailer. Initially shown in an interrogation room, Neil is accused of unspecified crimes by a man in a suit. He claims to have been doing "dirty work" for this man, indicating a strained working relationship. The situation escalates when the man insists Neil has no choice but to continue working for him.

The scene shifts to Neil conversing with Lucy, a Bridges employee portrayed by Marinelli's real-life wife, Alissa Jung. Their dialogue suggests a romantic connection and reveals Neil's involvement in smuggling cargo—specifically, brain-dead pregnant women.

Wait, brain-dead pregnant women?

In the original Death Stranding, one of the most striking images is Sam Porter Bridges carrying a glowing orange flask with a baby inside, known as a Bridge Baby (BB). These BBs, derived from brain-dead mothers, exist in a liminal state between life and death, enabling them to communicate with the world of the dead and help detect Beached Things (BTs), malevolent entities causing Voidouts—catastrophic events akin to nuclear explosions.

Before the first game's events, the US Government conducted experiments on BBs to understand Voidouts, but ceased after a disastrous experiment in Manhattan. However, secret research continued, and Neil's smuggling mission suggests involvement in these covert operations, likely for the government to continue its illegal BB experiments.

Is Solid Snake in Death Stranding 2?

The trailer concludes with Neil tying a bandana around his forehead, strikingly reminiscent of Solid Snake from Kojima's Metal Gear Solid series. While Neil is not Solid Snake, the visual cue is a deliberate nod to the iconic character. Hideo Kojima's interest in Marinelli was sparked by his roles in The Old Guard and Martin Eden, leading him to comment that Marinelli with a bandana resembled Solid Snake.

How Death Stranding 2 connects to Metal Gear Solid

The trailer not only pays homage to Metal Gear Solid through Neil's appearance but also delves deeper into thematic connections. Neil becomes "Beached," akin to Cliff Unger from the first game, leading a platoon of undead warriors. This scenario echoes the themes of weapon proliferation and the destabilizing effects of arms, a staple in Kojima's work. The trailer's mention of the resurgence of gun culture in the "new continent" underscores these parallels.

Moreover, the trailer hints at a metaphysical connection between Neil and Solid Snake. As a Beached Thing, Neil's soul is trapped in the living world, mirroring the artistic "death" of the Metal Gear franchise. The brief transformation of Neil's face into a skull further emphasizes this link.

Another significant reference to Metal Gear is seen when Heartman combines the DHV Magellan ship with a colossal BT, forming a bio-robotic giant reminiscent of Sahalanthropus from Metal Gear Solid 5. This fusion symbolizes the theme of nuclear weapons, as BTs can cause Voidouts, akin to nuclear detonations.

The cinematic style of the new trailer, comparable to the Metal Gear Solid 5 Red Band trailer, showcases Kojima's flair for blending gameplay and cinematic storytelling, further bridging the gap between his past and current projects.

Will there be another Kojima Metal Gear Solid game?

Following Hideo Kojima's departure from Konami, it is unlikely that he will return to the Metal Gear Solid series. Future MGS projects, such as the upcoming remake of Metal Gear Solid 3, will proceed without his involvement. However, the themes and imagery of Metal Gear Solid continue to influence Kojima's work, as seen in Death Stranding 2.

The trailer for Death Stranding 2 suggests that Kojima's vision for the sequel is even more ambitious, featuring diverse environments and an increased focus on combat. While not a Metal Gear Solid game by name, Death Stranding 2 draws heavily on the themes and aesthetics of Kojima's iconic series, creating a new chapter that feels both familiar and innovative.