Death Stranding: 9 Steps To Understanding Hideo Kojima's First Trailer

8. The Handcuffs

Easy to miss, the handcuffs that Reedus is connected to crackle and pulsate with electricity. They're the most technologically advanced 'thing' we see in the entire teaser.

Kojima is literally showing that this man i.e. mankind and humanity overall, is (or was, contextually) shackled to technology. Literally, there's an ID tag on his wristband.

As a populace, that's definitely a relatable construct to address, and Metal Gear Solid 2 was already about our growing fascination with digital culture, alongside the negative repercussions it can have for global communication.

Reedus' character here has broken free from this grip on his life, but is then left 'stranded' with a small, infant child. It's another comment on how humanity has lost a genuine connection with one other, and as he immediately scoops up the baby and begins crying profusely, we can extrapolate on how we only really cherish these connections when they're restricted and reintroduced.