Kojima Fans Notice Fun Link Between Death Stranding 2 and Metal Gear Solid 2 Box Arts

The gaming community buzzed with excitement over the weekend as Death Stranding 2: On the Beach unveiled its new trailer, along with a release date, collector's edition, box art, and more. As fans delved into the details, one keen observer on Reddit, user ReverseTheFlash, spotted an intriguing nod to director Hideo Kojima's previous work, Metal Gear Solid 2.

The box art for Death Stranding 2: On the Beach features Sam "Porter" Bridges, played by Norman Reedus, cradling the child "Lou," a character familiar to fans of the original game. ReverseTheFlash shared this image alongside a promotional slipcase for Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, which shows Japanese singer Gackt in a strikingly similar pose with a child. While the images aren't identical, the similarities are unmistakable and delightful to notice.

This connection serves as a nostalgic reminder of a peculiar chapter in the Metal Gear Solid series' promotional history. Leading up to its release, Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty featured Gackt in various promotional materials, including unique slip-covers for the game in certain regions. These have since become intriguing pieces of MGS memorabilia, sparking both curiosity and confusion among fans.

For those curious about Gackt's involvement, Hideo Kojima provided an explanation in 2013. He stated that he chose Gackt for MGS2's TV commercials because "MGS1 was about DNA and MGS2 about MEME. DNA consists of 'AGTC'; adding 'K' of KOJIMA becomes 'GACKT.'" This playful reasoning adds an extra layer of fun to the promotional campaign's backstory.

Given that the new trailer for Death Stranding 2 exudes strong Metal Gear vibes, it's no wonder fans are drawing connections between the two titles. While I believe any similarities are likely a reflection of recurring themes in Kojima's work, it's always enjoyable to speculate and reminisce about the past, especially with a promotional cover featuring Gackt.

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is set to launch on June 26, 2025, exclusively on PlayStation 5. This eagerly awaited sequel promises to deliver another unique experience from the mind of Hideo Kojima.