Solid Snake Spotted in Death Stranding 2 Trailer

Did Solid Snake Show Up in Death Stranding 2's Trailer?

Fans of both Death Stranding and the Metal Gear series were buzzing after the reveal of a new trailer for Death Stranding 2 during the South by Southwest (SXSW) event on March 9, 2025, in Austin, Texas. The trailer showcased a new character, Neil, played by Luca Marinelli, who bears a striking resemblance to Metal Gear's iconic protagonist, Solid Snake. This character, leading a mysterious faction, has sparked discussions about potential nods to the beloved Metal Gear series.

The 10-minute pre-order trailer, presented by Kojima Productions and Sony, not only introduced Neil but also provided glimpses of new story elements and gameplay footage. The trailer emphasized the theme of human connectivity in a post-apocalyptic setting, continuing the narrative established in the original Death Stranding. Hideo Kojima, the director of Death Stranding 2: On The Beach (DS2), was joined by key figures including PlayStation’s Global Content Communications Manager Kristen Zitan, and actors Norman Reedus, who reprises his role as Sam Porter Bridges, and Troy Baker. The panel also featured French Music Director and Designer Woodkid, adding to the anticipation for the game.

The resemblance of Neil to Solid Snake was not lost on fans, and Hideo Kojima himself acknowledged this similarity in an Instagram post from July 2020, noting that Luca Marinelli, when wearing a bandana, looked strikingly like Solid Snake. This connection has fans eagerly awaiting more details about Neil's faction and its role in the upcoming sequel.

Death Stranding 2: On The Beach is scheduled for release on June 26, 2025, exclusively for PlayStation 5. For those eager to learn more about the game, including pre-order details and additional updates, be sure to check out our comprehensive Death Stranding 2: On The Beach article.