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 character, 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 that 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 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 and 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 role in smuggling brain-dead pregnant women, likely for the government's ongoing illegal 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 homage is intentional. Hideo Kojima has previously expressed admiration for Marinelli, noting his resemblance to Solid Snake if he wore a bandana. This reference 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 for Death Stranding 2 is rich with references to Metal Gear. Neil's transformation into a Beached entity, accompanied by undead soldiers, echoes themes from the Metal Gear series, particularly the proliferation of weapons and its impact on humanity. The trailer also hints at a resurgence of gun culture on a "new continent," aligning with Kojima's recurring theme of arms destabilizing society.

Moreover, the trailer features a scene where Heartman merges the ship DHV Magellan with a colossal BT to create a bio-robotic giant, reminiscent of the Sahalanthropus from Metal Gear Solid 5. This connection underscores the thematic and visual links between the two series, even though they are separate.

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 the game's narrative and characters.

Will there be another Kojima Metal Gear Solid game?

It's highly unlikely that Hideo Kojima will create another Metal Gear Solid game, 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 influence of Metal Gear Solid is evident in Death Stranding 2, where Kojima draws inspiration from his past work to craft a new narrative.

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 stronger focus on combat. While not a Metal Gear Solid game by name, Death Stranding 2 embodies many of the same themes and visual elements, marking a new chapter in Kojima's storytelling.