Solid Snake is back in Death Stranding 2 but not as you remember himAdam StarkeyPublished March 10, 2025 4:30pmUpdated March 10, 2025 4:30pm Solid Neil doesnt quite have the same ring to it (Sony Interactive Entertainment)Death Stranding 2: On The Beach has a new trailer featuring a legally distinct Solid Snake and confirmation of the games release date.Aside from Ghost Of Ytei, the only other major PlayStation 5 exclusive confirmed for this year is Hideo Kojimas Death Stranding 2: On The Beach.Weve seen several predictably perplexing trailers for the sequel already, but a new one arrived during a panel at SXSW on Sunday, which confirmed the game will be released on June 26, 2025.The lengthy 10-minute trailer features sweeping vistas, bizarre creatures and a stronger emphasis on gunplay, but one new character has captured everyones attention because he looks identical to Solid Snake from Metal Gear Solid.If youre unaware, Kojima is known for creating the Metal Gear franchise for Konami, but he departed the company in not-so amicable fashion in 2015. His studio, Kojima Productions, went independent and partnered with Sony to work on 2019s Death Stranding.Despite being Kojimas baby, the Metal Gear IP is still owned by Konami, with a remake of Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater set to be released in August. Kojima clearly hasnt moved on entirely though, as hes already known to be working on a spiritual sequel of sorts for PlayStation 5.Before that, hes added a new character called Neil into Death Stranding 2, who, towards the end of the trailer, rocks a bandana and has a very clear resemblance to Snake from the Metal Gear franchise. Legally distinct Snake may not be so good (Sony Interactive Entertainment)While you might think any gruff man with brown hair and a headband could resemble Snake in some capacity, this nod is clearly intentional due to the choice of actor, Luca Marinelli. Back in July 2020 on Instagram, Kojima named the Italian actor as someone who would be the spitting image of Solid Snake if he donned a bandana.In another interesting twist, it appears as if Neil is some sort of antagonist in Death Stranding 2, who represents a distinctly American philosophy at least, based on the voiceover. Solid Snakes design was largely modelled after American action movie heroes so it all lines up.There appears to be other Metal Gear nods in the trailer too, with a giant mech that looks very similar to REX from the original Metal Gear Solid.I love how unapologetic Kojima is for including Solid Snake even without having the rights at all, absolute legend, reads one comment on YouTube.More TrendingThey cant copyright a guy wearing a bandana, added another.As for the rest of the cast, Norman Reedus is back as Sam Bridges, alongside La Seydoux and Troy Baker as Fragile and Higgs, respectively. New additions include Elle Fanning, Shioli Kutsuna, and the likeness of Mad Max director George Miller.Beyond the game itself, Kojima announced a worldwide concert tour to celebrate the music of Death Stranding. This orchestral tour starts on November 8, 2025 at the Sydney Opera House in Australia, before it hits London on November 16 at the Eventim Apollo, and other major cities. Get your hiking boots on (Sony Interactive Entertainment)Emailgamecentral@metro.co.uk, leave a comment below,follow us on Twitter, andsign-up to our newsletter.To submit Inbox letters and Readers Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use ourSubmit Stuff page here.For more stories like this,check our Gaming page.GameCentralSign up for exclusive analysis, latest releases, and bonus community content.This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Your information will be used in line with our Privacy Policy