I've been losing my mind since that SXSW trailer dropped for Death Stranding 2: On the Beach. Like, seriously folks, I had to pick my jaw up off the floor when I saw Neil strutting around in that Snake-inspired getup. Holy moly, the resemblance is UNCANNY! This smuggler character is decked out with the iconic bandanna and military gear that screams Solid Snake from a mile away. It's giving me major déjà vu, and I'm absolutely here for it!
The Protagonist Switcheroo Theory
Let's get real for a second - this wouldn't be the first time Kojima has pulled the rug out from under us. Remember MGS2? That was the OG bait-and-switch that left gamers absolutely shook back in the day. We all thought we'd be playing as our beloved Solid Snake, but BAM! - suddenly we're controlling Raiden's platinum-blonde butt instead. Talk about a plot twist that had gamers throwing their controllers across the room!
So here's my hot take: What if Kojima is setting us up for another protagonist swap? What if Sam takes a backseat and Neil becomes our new playable character? It's a theory that's been keeping me up at night, and I'm not the only one. The gaming community is buzzing with speculation, and I've gone down so many Reddit rabbit holes my brain is practically mush at this point.
But here's the kicker - I'm not sure it would be the right move. As they say, "fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, can't put the blame on you." Or however that saying goes. The point is, pulling the same trick twice might feel a bit played out.
Been There, Done That
The whole protagonist switcheroo in MGS2 worked because NO ONE saw it coming. The marketing was all Snake, all the time. We were bamboozled, hoodwinked, led astray! And while it was controversial AF at launch, it's aged like fine wine. MGS2 is now considered a masterpiece that was ahead of its time.
But that's the thing about magic tricks - they're only mind-blowing the first time. If Kojima tries to pull another fast one on us in 2025, it might come across as predictable rather than revolutionary. It would be like watching The Sixth Sense for the second time - you already know Bruce Willis is dead the whole time! (Oops, spoiler alert for that 26-year-old movie!)
The Thematic Brilliance
What makes both MGS and Death Stranding so freakin' amazing isn't just the characters - it's the themes that Kojima weaves throughout his narratives. The first Death Stranding was all about connection in a disconnected world (talk about prescient in our post-pandemic reality). Sam was the perfect vehicle for exploring this theme as he reluctantly brought America back together.
Now, Death Stranding 2 seems to be flipping the script. Instead of just focusing on the beauty of connection, it's diving deep into the potential dangers. It's like that old saying: "Mo' connections, mo' problems." 😂
The Stick and The Rope
One theory I'm totally vibing with is that Neil and Sam might represent two sides of the same coin. In the original game, Kojima introduced us to the concept of "sticks" and "ropes" - tools for keeping things away or drawing them closer, respectively.
What if Neil embodies the "stick" - representing isolation, defense, and the dangers of connection - while Sam continues to be our "rope" guy, showing the benefits and necessity of human bonds? This duality would be chef's kiss perfect for exploring the complex themes Kojima seems to be setting up.
Time-Hopping Shenanigans
I've also been pondering the timeline stuff. From what I can gather, Neil's scenes might take place shortly after the original Death Stranding event, while Sam's story continues in the "present." This could mean we'll be bouncing between timeframes, getting a more complete picture of how this weird, wonderful world evolved.
This approach would be absolutely brilliant! We'd get to experience both characters' journeys without sacrificing the emotional connection we've already built with Sam. It's having your cake and eating it too, baby!
The Summer of Kojima
Whatever happens, we won't have to wait much longer to find out. Death Stranding 2 is dropping this summer, and it's shaping up to be an absolute banger. I've already cleared my schedule, stocked up on energy drinks, and warned my friends not to expect to hear from me for at least a week after launch.
Will Neil take center stage? Will Sam remain our main man? Or will Kojima completely blow our minds with something none of us saw coming? That's the thing about Kojima games - they're unpredictable AF, and that's precisely why we love them!
All I know is that I'm ready to have my brain melted all over again. Bring on the beaches, the BTs, and whatever mind-bending madness Kojima has in store for us in Death Stranding 2. It's gonna be lit, fam! 🔥
Final Thoughts
So here's my two cents: while a protagonist switch would be a bold move, I'm hoping Kojima gives us something fresh rather than retreading old ground. The beauty of his games lies in their ability to surprise us, and I trust the master to deliver something we never saw coming.
As we count down the days to release, I'll be over here analyzing every frame of every trailer like the obsessive fanboy I am. Because when it comes to Kojima games, the speculation is half the fun!
What do you think? Is Neil our new protagonist, or is this just Kojima playing 4D chess with our expectations? Drop your theories below, and let's get weird with it!