Over the weekend, fans of Hideo Kojima were treated to a new trailer for Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, along with exciting details such as a release date, a collector's edition, box art, and more. As enthusiasts delved into the new content, one keen observer on Reddit, user ReverseTheFlash, pointed out a delightful nod to Kojima's past 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 familiar figure to those who played the first game. ReverseTheFlash shared a side-by-side comparison on Reddit, captioned "He did it again," showcasing the Death Stranding 2 box art next to a Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty slipcase. The latter features Japanese singer Gackt holding a child in a strikingly similar pose. While not an exact replica, the resemblance is unmistakable and adds a layer of fun for fans connecting the dots between Kojima's projects.
This connection harks back to the promotional campaign for Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, where Gackt was prominently featured. Special slip-covers in certain regions showcased Gackt, contributing to the game's intriguing and sometimes perplexing promotional materials over the years. In 2013, Kojima himself explained Gackt's involvement, stating that since Metal Gear Solid 1 was themed around DNA and Metal Gear Solid 2 around memes, and given that DNA is represented by 'AGTC,' adding 'K' for Kojima results in 'GACKT.'
With the new trailer for Death Stranding 2 echoing some of the vibes from Metal Gear, it's no wonder fans are drawing these parallels. While I believe any similarities are more a reflection of recurring themes in Kojima's work, it's always enjoyable to speculate and reminisce, especially with a nostalgic nod to a promotional cover featuring Gackt.
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is set to launch on June 26, 2025, exclusively on PlayStation 5.
