Over the weekend, fans of Death Stranding 2: On the Beach were treated to a new trailer, a confirmed release date, a collector's edition, box art, and more exciting details. Amidst all this, a keen-eyed fan discovered an intriguing link 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 familiar figure from the first game. Reddit user ReverseTheFlash pointed out this connection with the post titled "He did it again," showcasing the box art alongside a Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty slipcase that sports a strikingly similar motif.
He did it again
by u/ReverseTheFlash in DeathStranding
The Metal Gear Solid 2 promotional material features Japanese singer Gackt holding a child in a composition that echoes the Death Stranding 2 box art. While not an exact replica, the similarities are noticeable and amusing. This also serves as a reminder of an unusual chapter in the Metal Gear Solid (out-of-universe) backstory.
In the lead-up to Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty's release, Gackt was prominently featured in various promotional materials. This included special slip-covers for the game in certain regions, resulting in unique MGS memorabilia that has both fascinated and perplexed fans over the years.
Curious about Gackt's involvement in Metal Gear Solid 2's promotional campaign? In 2013, Hideo Kojima provided some insight. He explained that he asked Gackt to appear in MGS2's TV commercials because "MGS1 was about DNA & 'MGS2' MEME. DNA consists 'AGTC', adding 'K' of KOJIMA becomes 'GACKT.'" Quite the creative connection!
Given that the new trailer for Death Stranding 2 exudes a strong Metal Gear vibe, it's not surprising that fans are making these connections. While I believe any similarities are, at most, a reflection of recurring themes in Kojima's work, it's always enjoyable to speculate and reminisce, especially about a promotional cover featuring Gackt.
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is set to launch on June 26, 2025, exclusively on PlayStation 5.
