Death Stranding 2: On the Beachis 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 forDeath Stranding 2turned 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 Snakeis 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 Libertywas 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.
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 ofMGS. Ultimately, the real heart of both theMGSandDeath Strandingfranchises is their central themes. While putting Raiden front and center was a massive shock for a lot of fans,MGS2is viewed fondly, in hindsight. The story was the ultimate star of the sequel, and that is likely to be the case withDeath Stranding 2, as well. However,Death Stranding 2is missing an important piece of the puzzle thatMGS2had: the element of surprise.
A constant theme throughoutDeath Strandingis 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 expectedMGS2to change its protagonist. Leading up to the sequel’s launch, the marketing forthe 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
Whilethe firstDeath Strandingwas focused on connecting the country,Death Stranding 2seems 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 thatDeath Stranding 2could bounce back and forth betweenSam and Neilas 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 expectedMGS2to change its protagonist.
Neil has been tasked with smuggling brain-dead mothers from Mexico to America.
Death Stranding 2 is Right Around the Corner
Thankfully, Neil’s story won’t be a secret for much longer. So far,Death Stranding 2is set to be one of the biggest launches of the summer, and once it finally releases, it will be fascinating to see ifKojima has another protagonist surpriseup his sleeve.
