Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is teasing a mind-bending and mysterious story that seems primed to one-up the strangeness of its predecessor. Returning characters and newcomers round out the cast, and one of the most intriguing of these new faces is Neil. A smuggler, Neil's appearance in the SXSW trailer for Death Stranding 2 turned the heads of longtime Kojima fans when he was shown decked out in an outfit reminiscent of Solid Snake.
Donning a bandanna and military attire, Neil's likeness to Solid Snake is uncanny, and while it could just be a fun nod to Kojima's iconic franchise, there are also theories that it could be hinting at a protagonist change. This wouldn't be the first time Kojima shook up a game's protagonist. MGS2: Sons of Liberty was controversial at launch when players realized that they wouldn't be playing as Solid Snake, but Raiden. It's possible that Neil could take over Sam's role as the lead, but it might be best to avoid such a twist.
Death Stranding 2 May Be Hiding a Fun Surprise in Plain Sight
Hideo Kojima loves a good cameo, and one mysterious character in Death Stranding 2 seems like a shoo-in for a surprise appearance.
Leaving Sam Behind Would Also Risk Removing the Heart of Death Stranding
Of course, there is also an argument to be made that setting Solid Snake aside for Raiden was also taking out the heart of MGS. Ultimately, the real heart of both the MGS and Death Stranding franchises is their central themes. While putting Raiden front and center was a massive shock for a lot of fans, MGS2 is viewed fondly, in hindsight. The story was the ultimate star of the sequel, and that is likely to be the case with Death Stranding 2, as well. However, Death Stranding 2 is missing an important piece of the puzzle that MGS2 had: the element of surprise.
A constant theme throughout Death Stranding is the "stick" and the "rope." Sticks are made to push away, while ropes are used to pull things closer. Sam's mission to help rebuild America represents the rope.
Death Stranding 2 Replacing its Protagonist Wouldn't Feel as Special
Practically no one expected MGS2 to change its protagonist. Leading up to the sequel's launch, the marketing for the game showcased Solid Snake, leading everyone to believe he would be the main character. It was a huge shake-up, and it's one that can only be done once by a game creator. If it's repeated, then it feels more like a gimmick than an actual change that has a significant impact.
A Dual Protagonist Approach Could Still Work in Death Stranding 2
- Sam may be a better protagonist to continue the series' themes of connection.
- Neil could represent the sequel's teased themes of the dangers of connecting.
While the first Death Stranding was focused on connecting the country, Death Stranding 2 seems to be diving into the consequences and complications that this connection can bring forth. Neil's scenes look like they take place shortly after the events of the titular Death Stranding in America, potentially offering a glimpse into the early days post-cataclysm.
It's quite possible that Death Stranding 2 could bounce back and forth between Sam and Neil as they have parallel journeys that show the pitfalls and benefits of their actions. Neil would be representing the franchise's concept of the "stick," while Sam continues to represent the "rope."
Practically no one expected MGS2 to change its protagonist.
Neil has been tasked with smuggling brain-dead mothers from Mexico to America.
Death Stranding 2 is Right Around the Corner
- Death Stranding 2 launches on June 26, 2025, for PS5.
Thankfully, Neil's story won't be a secret for much longer. So far, Death Stranding 2 is set to be one of the biggest launches of the summer, and once it finally releases, it will be fascinating to see if Kojima has another protagonist surprise up his sleeve.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 90 /100 Critics Rec: 95%
- Released
- June 26, 2025
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ // Violence, Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Strong Language
- Developer(s)
- Kojima Productions
- Publisher(s)
- Sony Interactive Entertainment
