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

Kojima Productions recently unveiled an exciting 10-minute trailer for Death Stranding 2 at SXSW, showcasing both familiar and new faces. Among the returning stars are Norman Reedus and Lea Seydoux, reprising their roles from the original game. However, the trailer introduces a fresh character, portrayed by the Italian actor Luca Marinelli, who seems set to take on a role reminiscent of Kojima's iconic Solid Snake.

Luca Marinelli lends his voice and likeness to the character Neil in Death Stranding 2: On the Beach. Known primarily for his roles in Italian cinema, Marinelli gained international recognition for his portrayal of the immortal mercenary Nicky in Netflix's The Old Guard. In the trailer, Neil is initially seen in an interrogation room, accused of unspecified crimes by a man in a suit. Neil claims he was merely doing the "dirty work" for this man and seeks to end their arrangement, only to be told he has "no choice" but to continue.

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

Wait, brain-dead pregnant women?

In the original Death Stranding, one of the most striking images is Norman Reedus' character, Sam Porter Bridges, carrying a glowing orange flask with a baby inside. This baby, known as a Bridge Baby (BB), is a seven-month fetus extracted from a brain-dead mother, existing in a state between life and death. This unique condition allows BBs to communicate with the world of the dead, helping their carriers detect Beached Things (BTs), malevolent souls that can cause catastrophic Voidouts.

Before the events of the first game, the US Government conducted experiments with BBs to understand Voidouts, which are devastating events akin to nuclear explosions. These experiments were officially halted after a BB-related Voidout destroyed Manhattan and killed the President. However, the research continued covertly, which explains Neil's smuggling activities. He is likely working for the US Government to support their ongoing, illegal BB research.

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 homage is intentional. Hideo Kojima has previously expressed admiration for Marinelli, noting his resemblance to Solid Snake if he wore a bandana. This connection is a nod to Kojima's past work, though the universes of Metal Gear Solid and Death Stranding remain distinct.

How Death Stranding 2 connects to Metal Gear Solid

The trailer's references to Metal Gear Solid go beyond Neil's appearance. Neil becomes Beached, his soul trapped in the living world, similar to Cliff Unger from the first game. As a Beached entity, Neil leads a platoon of undead warriors, echoing themes of gun culture and the proliferation of weapons, a recurring motif in Kojima's work. The trailer also hints at a philosophical connection, suggesting Neil might represent a metaphysical version of Solid Snake, whose "soul" remains trapped in the Death Stranding universe.

Another significant reference is the transformation of the ship, DHV Magellan, into a bio-robotic giant by combining with a colossal BT, reminiscent of the Sahalanthropus from Metal Gear Solid 5. This new entity, while not launching nuclear weapons like its Metal Gear counterparts, could potentially cause Voidouts, drawing a parallel to nuclear threats.

The cinematic quality of the Death Stranding 2 trailer mirrors that of the Metal Gear Solid 5 Red Band trailer, showcasing characters as if they were movie stars and blending gameplay with cutscenes to create a grand narrative.

Will there be another Kojima Metal Gear Solid game?

It's highly unlikely that Hideo Kojima will return to the Metal Gear Solid series, as he parted ways with Konami, the franchise's owner. Future Metal Gear Solid projects, such as the upcoming remake of Metal Gear Solid 3, will proceed without his involvement. However, the themes and imagery from Metal Gear Solid continue to influence Kojima's work, as evident in Death Stranding 2.

The trailer for Death Stranding 2 suggests that Kojima's vision for the sequel is even more ambitious than the first game, featuring diverse environments and a greater focus on combat. While not a Metal Gear Solid game by name, Death Stranding 2 draws heavily from Kojima's past work, creating a new chapter that feels both familiar and innovative.