Over the weekend, fans of Hideo Kojima were treated to a new trailer for Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, which also revealed its release date, collector's edition, box art, and more. Amidst the excitement, eagle-eyed fans have spotted a fascinating nod to Kojima's earlier work, Metal Gear Solid 2. The box art for Death Stranding 2: On the Beach features Sam "Porter" Bridges, portrayed by Norman Reedus, cradling the child "Lou," a familiar figure from the first game. A Reddit user, ReverseTheFlash, pointed out the striking similarity to the Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty slipcase, which depicts Japanese singer Gackt holding a child in a similar pose.
While the compositions are not identical, the parallels are unmistakable and have sparked discussions among fans. This connection serves as a delightful callback to the unique promotional campaign for Metal Gear Solid 2, where Gackt played a prominent role. Special slip-covers featuring Gackt were released in certain territories, contributing to the game's intriguing out-of-universe backstory that continues to captivate and puzzle fans to this day.
Kojima himself shed light on Gackt's involvement in a 2013 interview, explaining that the choice was tied to the game's themes: "MGS1 was about DNA & 'MGS2' MEME. DNA consists 'AGTC', adding 'K' of KOJIMA becomes 'GACKT.'" This clever play on words underscores Kojima's penchant for weaving intricate connections into his work.
Given the noticeable Metal Gear influences in the new trailer for Death Stranding 2, it's no wonder fans are drawing these connections. Whether these similarities are deliberate nods or simply recurring motifs in Kojima's creative universe, they add an extra layer of enjoyment for fans. Speculating on these links and reminiscing about past promotions, like the one featuring Gackt, is a fun way to engage with Kojima's rich body of work.
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is set to launch on June 26, 2025, exclusively on PlayStation 5.
