Leading up to its launch at the end of the month,Death Stranding 2: On the Beachhas been a hot topic. Based on early footage, Kojima Productions is promising a post-apocalyptic tale that’s even larger in scope than its already bold predecessor.Death Stranding 2takes Sam’s journey to new locations with a fresh crew of allies, but there are still plenty of questions left unanswered when it comes to what players should expect.
Creator Hideo Kojima is no stranger to subverting player expectations. Whether it be theMetal Gear Solidfranchise,Death Stranding, or the belovedPThorror demo, Kojima has built his reputation on embracing experimentation and innovation. There are many fans who are expectingDeath Stranding 2to hold its fair share of surprises, and a recent clip shared by Kojima could be hinting at its first big shake-up.NewDeath Stranding 2character Neilhas been emphasized multiple times ahead of the game’s launch. He could simply be a fresh addition to the cast, but based on one detail revealed during Summer Game Fest, he could potentially be a second playable character.
Death Stranding 2 May Be Setting the Stage for Two Main Protagonists
Neil Has a Lot in Common With Sam
Hideo Kojima was one of the first guests to make an appearance at Summer Game Fest, and he had fresh footage to showcase. The scene he premiered during the event was an emotional moment between Neil and fellow newcomer Lucy, and within the exchange between the two, it was revealed that Neil is a porter,just likeDeath Stranding’s iconic protagonist Sam.
Based on theDeath Stranding 2trailer revealed at SXSW a few months ago, it was confirmed that Neil transported nefarious cargo, but it was unclear whether he was actually a certified porter. Hearing his status as a porter adds a completely new layer to his character, as it could potentially open the door for another main character.TheDeath Strandingfranchisehas already been defined by pushing boundaries, and while a second playable character isn’t groundbreaking, keeping it hidden in plain sight would make for an incredibly exciting reveal.
Neil is played by Luca Marinelli, while Lucy is played by actor Alissa Jung.
Neil May Give Players a More Meaningful Look Into the World’s Past
Kojima has essentially confirmed that Neil’s portion of the story takes place before the events ofthe firstDeath Stranding’s main story, stating “Neil would be an important role that replaces Cliff fromDS1.” Just as Cliff offers a look at what the world was like before the titular apocalyptic event took place, Neil is set to take up the mantle, and if he’s playable, then fans can see even more of that world.
WhileDeath Stranding 2’s modern worldstill has plenty of mysteries to uncover, the past before the Death Stranding event remains far more mysterious. There’s practically nothing known about what life was like ahead of the cataclysm, and that’s what makes Neil’s role so compelling.
While the first game took place in America,Death Stranding 2will be set mostly in Mexico and Australia, introducing a variety of new landscapes.
Whether it be theMetal Gear Solidfranchise,Death Stranding, or the belovedPThorror demo, Kojima has built his reputation on embracing experimentation and innovation.
Questions About Death Stranding 2 Will Soon Be Answered
In just a few short weeks,Death Stranding 2will finally be here, unlocking the door to its bold new adventure.Death Stranding 2is promising a bigger storythan its first chapter, and if Neil helps tell that story by being a playable character, then it could give players an even deeper dive into the franchise’s mind-bending lore.
