Kojima Productions recently unveiled an exciting 10-minute trailer for Death Stranding 2 at the South by Southwest (SXSW) festival, showcasing not only familiar faces like Norman Reedus and Lea Seydoux, but also introducing a new character, Luca Marinelli. Marinelli steps into the role of Neil, bringing his unique presence to the Death Stranding universe. Known for his work in Italian cinema and internationally for his role as Nicky in Netflix's The Old Guard, Marinelli's character Neil seems to be set up as a spiritual successor to Kojima's iconic Solid Snake from the Metal Gear Solid series.

Luca Marinelli plays the character Neil in Death Stranding 2: On the Beach. In the trailer, Neil is first 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 insists that Neil has no choice but to continue working for him. Later, Neil interacts with Lucy, a Bridges employee portrayed by Marinelli's real-life wife, Alissa Jung, hinting at a romantic connection and revealing Neil's involvement in smuggling brain-dead pregnant women, which ties into the game's unique lore.

Wait, brain-dead pregnant women?

The concept of brain-dead pregnant women ties directly into the lore established in the original Death Stranding. These women are crucial for the creation of Bridge Babies (BBs), which are used to detect Beached Things (BTs), malevolent spirits trapped in the living world that can cause catastrophic Voidouts. The smuggling of these women suggests ongoing, secret experiments by the US government, despite the public discontinuation of such studies following a disastrous Voidout in Manhattan.

Is Solid Snake in Death Stranding 2?

While Neil is not Solid Snake, the visual homage is unmistakable, particularly when Neil ties a bandana around his forehead, echoing Snake's iconic look. Hideo Kojima has openly admired Marinelli, suggesting he could resemble Solid Snake if he wore a bandana, a nod brought to life in the trailer. Although the universes of Metal Gear Solid and Death Stranding remain distinct, the reference to Kojima's past work is intentional and deliberate.

How Death Stranding 2 connects to Metal Gear Solid

The trailer for Death Stranding 2 is rich with references to Metal Gear Solid, not just through Neil's appearance but also through its thematic exploration of weapons and their impact on society. Neil, like Cliff Unger from the first game, becomes a Beached Thing, leading a platoon of undead soldiers, which mirrors the military themes prevalent in Metal Gear. The trailer also hints at the re-emergence of gun culture, a key theme in Kojima's previous work, emphasizing the dangers of weapon proliferation.

Furthermore, the trailer showcases a bio-robotic giant formed by combining the ship DHV Magellan with a colossal BT, reminiscent of the Metal Gear machines from the MGS series, which are often linked to nuclear threats. This connection suggests a continuation of Kojima's critique on the use and misuse of powerful weaponry.

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 present characters as larger-than-life figures, showcasing Kojima's vision for his latest project.

Will there be another Kojima Metal Gear Solid game?

It's evident that fans won't see another Metal Gear Solid game from Hideo Kojima, following his departure from Konami. However, the themes and imagery from his past work continue to influence his new projects. Death Stranding 2, while not a Metal Gear Solid game, borrows heavily from its predecessor's universe, expanding on its narrative with new environments and an increased focus on combat. This sequel aims to be even more ambitious than the first, drawing closer to the essence of what made Metal Gear Solid so iconic, even if it doesn't carry the same name.