Death Stranding 2 May Have Hidden Another Playable Character in Plain Sight

Leading up to its launch at the end of the month, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach has 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 2 takes 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 the Metal Gear Solid franchise, Death Stranding, or the beloved PT horror demo, Kojima has built his reputation on embracing experimentation and innovation. There are many fans who are expecting Death Stranding 2 to hold its fair share of surprises, and a recent clip shared by Kojima could be hinting at its first big shake-up. New Death Stranding 2 character Neil has 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.

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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 like Death Stranding‘s iconic protagonist Sam.

Based on the Death Stranding 2 trailer 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. The Death Stranding franchise has 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 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 of the first Death Stranding‘s main story, stating “Neil would be an important role that replaces Cliff from DS1.” 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.

While Death Stranding 2‘s modern world still 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.

Questions About Death Stranding 2 Will Soon Be Answered

• Death Stranding 2: On the Beach will launch for the PS5 on June 26.

In just a few short weeks, Death Stranding 2 will finally be here, unlocking the door to its bold new adventure. Death Stranding 2 is promising a bigger story than 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.

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach

Systems

Released

June 26, 2025

ESRB

Mature 17+ // Violence, Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Strong Language

Publisher(s)

Sony Interactive Entertainment

Engine

Decima

Franchise

Death Stranding

Number of Players

Single-player

PS5 Release Date

June 26, 2025

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