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

Over the weekend, fans of Hideo Kojima were treated to a new trailer for Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, along with exciting details like a release date, collector's edition, and box art. As enthusiasts delved into the specifics, one keen observer on Reddit spotted a delightful nod to Kojima's earlier 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 face from the first game. Reddit user ReverseTheFlash shared a side-by-side comparison with the caption "He did it again," juxtaposing this image with a Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty slipcase. The latter showcases Japanese singer Gackt holding a child in a strikingly similar pose. Although not identical, the parallels are evident and add a fun layer of nostalgia for fans.

This connection harks back to the promotional campaign for Metal Gear Solid 2, where Gackt played a significant role. Special slip-covers featuring Gackt were distributed in certain regions, creating a unique piece of MGS memorabilia that has both fascinated and perplexed fans over time.

In 2013, Kojima shed light on why Gackt was chosen for Metal Gear Solid 2's marketing efforts. He explained that since MGS1 was themed around DNA and MGS2 around memes, and DNA is composed of "AGTC," adding the "K" from "KOJIMA" results in "GACKT." It's a quirky yet fascinating bit of trivia.

Given the new trailer's evident Metal Gear vibes, it's no wonder fans are drawing these connections. While I believe any similarities are more a reflection of Kojima's recurring motifs across his games, it's always enjoyable to speculate and reminisce about the past, especially with promotional material featuring Gackt.

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is set to launch on June 26, 2025, exclusively on PlayStation 5.