Neil Isn’t a New Cliff Unger, He’s Better

Major spoilers ahead for Death Stranding 2

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach introduces a variety of fresh characters. Tarman, Tomorrow, Rainy, and Dollman help make up Sam’s new group of friends on the DHV Magellan, but Neil Vana is one of the most standout characters that Death Stranding 2 adds to the story.

Leading up to the release of Death Stranding 2, there was a lot of speculation surrounding Neil’s role. A fellow porter, Neil differs from Sam in a major way by transporting brain dead pregnant women instead of cargo. As the story of Death Stranding 2 unravels, it’s clear that Neil’s place in the narrative is one of the most important in shaping how its characters got to where they are. Ahead of launch, Kojima teased that Neil would be playing a similar role to Cliff Unger, but the former has ultimately proven to be a stronger character overall.

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Cliff Unger Was a Great Character, But Neil Vana Adds More Depth to Death Stranding 2

DS1 Scratched the Surface With Cliff Unger

It’s hard for a character to not be interesting when Mads Mikkelsen is the actor bringing them to life. Cliff Unger was definitely one of the strongest points of the first Death Stranding‘s story, but he also left plenty to be desired when it came to getting to know him on a deeper level. While framed as an antagonist early on in the story, Cliff’s story unfolded to reveal a grieving husband who was willing to do anything possible to save his baby from Bridges’ experiments. It’s a compelling narrative that may leave some players wanting more. Death Stranding 2 improves the series in a variety of ways, and allowing Neil to have a deeper backstory and significance to the overall plot is one of the biggest changes.

Neil Vana Helps Plant the Seed That Grows Into Death Stranding 2

Like Cliff, Neil is first introduced as an antagonist who is stuck on the Beach, perpetually fighting. However, it’s eventually revealed that Neil has an unexpected tie to Sam. Both Neil and Sam were romantically involved with Lucy. After she became pregnant with Sam’s child, Bridges wanted to use the baby for experimentation, since it was fathered by a repatriate. This forces Lucy into convincing Neil to claim he’s the father, in order to save the child. His love for Lucy leads him to help her, but the two ultimately die in an attempt to escape the facility. The baby, though, is saved, eventually becoming Lou.

His integral role in the story sets the stage for everything to come, which gives him a deeper layer that Cliff was unable to get in the story. The tragedy of Neil and Lucy makes way for Lou’s mind-bending and complex story, and Sam’s future would have looked incredibly different without the two attempting their failed escape.

Neil Introduces a New Level of Tragedy

Once Lucy declared her love for Sam, Neil knew he would never be able to live a life with her, but he chose to try and help save her and Sam’s baby anyway. He could have easily let his anger take control, but his love overcame the disappointment of losing her to someone else. Creator Hideo Kojima brought a tragic love triangle front and center, and it makes Neil feel far more three-dimensional.

Granted, Cliff Unger is still an iconic addition to the Kojima character roster, but when it comes to overall depth, Neil Vana may have a slight edge on him. Both men hold fascinating roles within the Death Stranding universe, boasting their own beautiful, yet tragic, backstories.

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

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