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

Kojima Productions unveiled an exciting 10-minute trailer for *Death Stranding 2* at SXSW, captivating fans with glimpses of familiar faces like Norman Reedus and Léa Seydoux, reprising their roles from the original game. However, the trailer kicks off with a fresh face: Luca Marinelli. Marinelli isn't just another character; he's set to become Hideo Kojima's new Solid Snake, sparking intrigue and excitement among fans.

Who is Luca Marinelli playing in Death Stranding 2? ---------------------------------------------------

Luca Marinelli takes on the role of Neil in Death Stranding 2: On the Beach. An accomplished Italian actor, Marinelli is known for his work in Italian cinema but has gained recognition among English-speaking audiences for portraying the immortal mercenary Nicky in Netflix's The Old Guard.

In the trailer, we first see Neil 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 mysterious figure and seems eager to end their association. The man in the suit retorts that Neil "has no choice" but to continue.

The scene then shifts to Neil conversing with Lucy, a Bridges employee played by Marinelli's real-life wife, actress Alissa Jung. Their dialogue hints at a romantic relationship and reveals Neil's job: smuggling cargo, specifically brain-dead pregnant women.

Wait, brain-dead pregnant women?

A key element from the first Death Stranding involves Sam Porter Bridges carrying a glowing orange flask with a baby, known as a Bridge Baby (BB), on his chest. These BBs are fetuses removed from brain-dead mothers, existing in a liminal state between life and death, enabling communication with the afterlife and detection of Beached Things (BTs), malevolent spirits that can cause catastrophic Voidouts.

Before the events of the first game, the US Government conducted experiments with BBs to understand Voidouts, devastating events capable of destroying entire cities. Although officially discontinued after a disastrous experiment in Manhattan, the research secretly continued, which explains Neil's smuggling activities.

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 isn't Solid Snake, the visual homage is unmistakable. In 2020, Kojima expressed his admiration for Marinelli, suggesting that with a bandana, he could resemble Solid Snake. This reference is a nod to fans, acknowledging the connection between the two universes without merging them.

How Death Stranding 2 connects to Metal Gear Solid

The trailer doesn't stop at the bandana; it draws numerous parallels to Metal Gear Solid. Neil becomes Beached, akin to Cliff Unger in the first game, and leads a platoon of undead warriors. The narration mentions the resurgence of gun culture on the "new continent," echoing Kojima's long-standing theme of weapon proliferation and its destabilizing effect on humanity, a cornerstone of 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, symbolizing the lingering essence of Snake, whose saga seems to have concluded but whose spirit lives on in Death Stranding 2.

The trailer also features Heartman merging the DHV Magellan with a colossal BT, creating a bio-robotic giant reminiscent of the Sahalanthropus from Metal Gear Solid 5. While Metal Gear machines are often linked to nuclear threats, the Magellan's potential to cause Voidouts parallels this concept.

The cinematic style of the Death Stranding 2 trailer is reminiscent 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 evident that Hideo Kojima won't be creating another Metal Gear Solid game after his departure from Konami. Any future MGS projects, such as the upcoming Metal Gear Solid 3 remake, 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 Death Stranding 2 suggests that Kojima's ambitions for this sequel surpass those of the first game, with more varied environments and a heightened focus on combat. While not a Metal Gear Solid game by name, Death Stranding 2 draws heavily from its predecessor, offering fans a thrilling new experience steeped in familiar themes and visuals.