Solid Snake Appears in Death Stranding 2 Trailer

The latest trailer for Death Stranding 2 has sparked excitement among fans, especially with the introduction of a new character who bears a striking resemblance to Metal Gear's Solid Snake. Dive deeper into what was revealed at SXSW 2025 and find out about the game's release date and pre-order details.

Death Stranding 2 Details Unveiled at SXSW 2025

10-Minute Pre-Order Trailer Highlights New Characters and Gameplay

Kojima Productions and Sony unveiled the eagerly awaited release date for Death Stranding 2: On The Beach (DS2) during the South by Southwest (SXSW) conference on March 9, 2025, in Austin, Texas. The event kicked off with a 10-minute trailer presented by DS2 Director Hideo Kojima, offering glimpses into new story elements and gameplay footage. The trailer reaffirmed the game's focus on human connectivity in a post-apocalyptic setting.

Joining Kojima on stage were PlayStation’s Global Content Communications Manager Kristen Zitan, and key actors from DS2, including Norman Reedus reprising his role as Sam Porter Bridges, Troy Baker, and French Music Director and Designer Woodkid. The trailer introduced a new character, Neil, portrayed by Luca Marinelli, who leads a mysterious faction. Fans were quick to spot the similarities between Neil and Metal Gear's Solid Snake, particularly due to his headband.

Hideo Kojima himself acknowledged these similarities in a July 2020 Instagram post, noting that Marinelli's appearance with a bandana closely resembles Solid Snake. This new faction, led by Neil, is set to play a significant role in the narrative of Death Stranding 2.

Death Stranding 2: On The Beach is slated for release on June 26, 2025, exclusively for the PlayStation 5. To keep up with the latest updates on the game, be sure to check out our comprehensive Death Stranding 2: On The Beach article below!