Over the weekend, fans of Hideo Kojima's work were treated to a new trailer for Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, along with a release date, collector's edition details, box art, and more. Amidst the excitement, keen-eyed fans have spotted an intriguing nod to Kojima's past work: Metal Gear Solid 2. The box art for Death Stranding 2 features Sam "Porter" Bridges, played by Norman Reedus, cradling the child "Lou," a character familiar to players of the original game. Reddit user ReverseTheFlash highlighted this connection with a post titled "He did it again," juxtaposing the Death Stranding 2 box art with a Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty slipcase that showcases a similar motif.
The Metal Gear Solid 2 promotional image shows Japanese singer Gackt holding a child in a strikingly similar composition. While not an exact replica, the resemblance is unmistakable and adds a layer of nostalgia for fans. This also brings to mind the peculiar out-of-universe backstory of Metal Gear Solid. During the marketing campaign for Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, Gackt was prominently featured in various promotional materials, including special slip-covers for the game in certain regions, which have fascinated and bewildered fans over the years.
For those curious about Gackt's involvement, Hideo Kojima explained in 2013 that he chose Gackt for Metal Gear Solid 2's TV commercials because "MGS1 was about DNA & MGS2 MEME. DNA consists 'AGTC', adding 'K' of KOJIMA becomes 'GACKT.'" This quirky connection adds an extra layer of intrigue to the promotional campaign.
Given that the new trailer for Death Stranding 2 evokes strong Metal Gear vibes, it's no wonder fans are drawing these connections. Personally, I see any similarities as evidence of recurring themes and ideas in Kojima's games. Nonetheless, it's enjoyable to speculate and reminisce, especially with a promotional cover featuring Gackt.
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is set to launch on June 26, 2025, exclusively for the PlayStation 5.
