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

Kojima Productions unveiled a captivating 10-minute trailer for Death Stranding 2 at SXSW, introducing a new face alongside familiar ones like Norman Reedus and Léa Seydoux. This newcomer, Luca Marinelli, plays Neil, a character who bears a striking resemblance to a certain iconic figure from Kojima's past.

Who is Luca Marinelli Playing in Death Stranding 2?

Marinelli portrays Neil in Death Stranding 2: On the Beach. While primarily known for Italian-language films, English-speaking audiences may recognize him as Nicky from Netflix's The Old Guard. The trailer shows Neil in an interrogation, seemingly trying to sever ties with a mysterious employer who forces him to smuggle—brain-dead pregnant women. A later scene hints at a romantic relationship with Lucy, a Bridges employee played by Marinelli's wife, Alissa Jung.

Wait, Brain-Dead Pregnant Women?

This ties directly to the original Death Stranding's Bridge Babies (BBs)—fetuses from brain-dead mothers used to detect Beached Things (BTs). The US government's discontinued BB experiments, resulting in a Manhattan-leveling Voidout, are seemingly continued in secret, with Neil acting as a smuggler for this illegal research.

Is Solid Snake in Death Stranding 2?

The trailer's final shot of Neil with a bandana strongly evokes Solid Snake. While Neil isn't Solid Snake (the universes remain separate), the visual similarity is deliberate. Kojima previously stated Marinelli resembled Snake with a bandana, making this a clear, intentional reference.

How Death Stranding 2 Connects to Metal Gear Solid

The connection goes beyond a simple Easter egg. Neil's transformation into a Beached being, leading an undead army, mirrors Cliff Unger's fate in the first game. The trailer's narration about the resurgence of US gun culture echoes Metal Gear's themes of weapons proliferation and its destabilizing effect on humanity. This anti-armament stance is a recurring motif in Kojima's work, often allowing for non-lethal gameplay options. Neil's existence could be interpreted as a metaphysical "version" of Solid Snake, his soul trapped within the Death Stranding universe, as suggested by a skull-like flash in the trailer.

Further, Heartman's apparent combination of the DHV Magellan ship and a colossal BT to create a bio-robotic giant resembles Metal Gear Solid V's Sahalanthropus. The cinematic style and epic scope of the trailer also mirror the Red Band trailer for Metal Gear Solid V.

Will There Be Another Kojima Metal Gear Solid Game?

It's highly unlikely Kojima will create another Metal Gear Solid game. His departure from Konami ended his involvement with the franchise. However, Death Stranding 2, through its imagery, themes, and gameplay, feels like a spiritual successor, carrying the torch of Kojima's signature style and thematic concerns to a new, ambitious chapter. The sequel promises expanded environments, a greater emphasis on combat, and a cinematic experience that directly references and expands upon the legacy of his previous works.