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

Kojima Productions recently unveiled an exciting new trailer for *Death Stranding 2* at SXSW, captivating fans with a 10-minute glimpse into the next installment of their acclaimed series. While familiar faces like Norman Reedus and Lea Seydoux return to reprise their roles, the trailer introduces a new character portrayed by Luca Marinelli. Marinelli, an Italian actor known for his role as Nicky in Netflix's *The Old Guard*, steps into the shoes of Neil in *Death Stranding 2: On the Beach*. In the trailer, Neil is seen in an intense interrogation scene, hinting at his involvement in smuggling operations that involve brain-dead pregnant women—a nod to the Bridge Babies (BBs) central to the original game's narrative.

Luca Marinelli portrays Neil in *Death Stranding 2: On the Beach*. This character is involved in smuggling brain-dead pregnant women, a task he undertakes under duress from a mysterious suited man. The trailer also hints at a romantic subplot between Neil and a Bridges employee named Lucy, played by Marinelli's real-life wife, Alissa Jung.

Wait, brain-dead pregnant women?

The concept of brain-dead pregnant women ties directly into the lore of *Death Stranding*. In the original game, Bridge Babies (BBs) are fetuses removed from brain-dead mothers, existing in a state between life and death. These BBs help detect Beached Things (BTs), malevolent entities that can cause catastrophic Voidouts. Neil's smuggling activities suggest a continuation of the U.S. government's secret experiments with BBs, despite the public cessation of such research after a disastrous Voidout in Manhattan.

Is Solid Snake in Death Stranding 2?

While Solid Snake himself does not appear in Death Stranding 2, the trailer features a striking homage to him. Luca Marinelli's character, Neil, dons a bandana, visually echoing Solid Snake from Hideo Kojima's Metal Gear Solid series. This nod is intentional, as Kojima has previously expressed that Marinelli's appearance reminded him of Solid Snake. Although Neil and Snake are distinct characters from separate universes, the visual and thematic connections are clear.

How Death Stranding 2 connects to Metal Gear Solid

Death Stranding 2 not only pays homage to Metal Gear Solid through Neil's appearance but also delves into similar themes. The trailer shows Neil becoming a Beached Thing, leading a platoon of undead warriors, reminiscent of themes explored in Metal Gear. The narrative touches on the re-emergence of gun culture and the proliferation of weapons, echoing Kojima's long-standing critique of arms and their impact on humanity. Additionally, the trailer features a bio-robotic giant formed by combining a ship with a BT, drawing parallels to the Metal Gear machines from the MGS series.

The cinematic quality of the Death Stranding 2 trailer also mirrors the epic scope of the Metal Gear Solid 5 Red Band trailer, showcasing Kojima's flair for blending gameplay and cutscenes into a compelling 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, given his departure from Konami. However, the themes and imagery from *Metal Gear* continue to influence his work, as evident in *Death Stranding 2*. The sequel promises to expand on the original's world with new environments and a greater focus on combat, drawing *Death Stranding* closer to the spirit of *Metal Gear Solid* without being a direct continuation.