Who Is Kojima’s New ‘Solid Snake’ and Why Death Stranding 2 Looks Like the Closest We’ll Ever Get to Another 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, Luca Marinelli, who appears set to take on a significant role reminiscent of Kojima's iconic Solid Snake.

Luca Marinelli, an acclaimed Italian actor, steps into the role of Neil in Death Stranding 2: On the Beach. Known primarily for his work 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, suggesting a strained working relationship. The man retorts that Neil "has no choice" but to continue working for him.

The scene shifts to Neil conversing with Lucy, a Bridges employee played by Marinelli's real-life wife, Alissa Jung. Their dialogue hints at 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 was 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, aiding their adult carriers in detecting Beached Things (BTs), malevolent souls trapped in the living world 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 role in smuggling brain-dead pregnant women, likely for the government's ongoing illegal studies.

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's interest in Marinelli was sparked after watching The Old Guard and Martin Eden, leading him to comment that Marinelli with a bandana would resemble Solid Snake. This connection is evident in the trailer, serving as a nod to Kojima's past work.

How Death Stranding 2 connects to Metal Gear Solid

The trailer for Death Stranding 2 is rich with references to Metal Gear Solid. Neil's transformation into a Beached entity, accompanied by undead soldiers, echoes the fate of Cliff Unger from the first game. The trailer also touches on the resurgence of gun culture in the "new continent," a theme that resonates with Kojima's exploration of weapon proliferation and its destabilizing effects on humanity in the Metal Gear series.

Moreover, the trailer suggests 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. This could symbolize Kojima's way of keeping the essence of Solid Snake alive within 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 fusion underscores the theme of nuclear weapons, as BTs can cause Voidouts, akin to nuclear explosions.

The cinematic quality of the Death Stranding 2 trailer also mirrors the epic scope of the Metal Gear Solid 5 Red Band trailer, blending gameplay and cutscenes to showcase Kojima's vision.

Will there be another Kojima Metal Gear Solid game?

It's evident that Hideo Kojima will not be returning to the Metal Gear Solid series following his departure from Konami. Future MGS projects, such as the upcoming remake of Metal Gear Solid 3, will proceed without his involvement. However, the themes and imagery of the series continue to influence Kojima's work, as seen in Death Stranding 2.

The trailer for the sequel indicates that Death Stranding 2 aims to surpass its predecessor in scope, featuring diverse environments and a stronger 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 fresh.