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

Over the weekend, fans of Hideo Kojima's upcoming game, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, were treated to a new trailer, along with exciting details such as a release date, collector's edition, box art, and more. Amidst the excitement, eagle-eyed fans noticed a nostalgic 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." This image struck a chord with fans, particularly on Reddit, where user ReverseTheFlash posted, "He did it again," drawing a comparison to the Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty slipcase. The latter depicted Japanese singer Gackt holding a child in a strikingly similar pose. While not an exact replica, the resemblance is undeniable and adds a fun layer of connection between the two games.

This discovery also brings back memories of the unusual marketing campaign for Metal Gear Solid 2. Gackt was prominently featured in various promotional materials, including special slipcovers that have since become obscure collectibles. The reason behind Gackt's involvement, as explained by Kojima in 2013, was tied to the game's themes: "MGS1 was about DNA & 'MGS2' MEME. DNA consists 'AGTC', adding 'K' of KOJIMA becomes 'GACKT.'"

Given the new trailer's evident nods to Metal Gear, it's no wonder fans are connecting the dots between Death Stranding 2 and Kojima's past projects. These similarities might simply reflect recurring themes in Kojima's work, but they certainly spark engaging discussions and nostalgic trips down memory lane, especially when reminiscing about the unique promotional cover featuring Gackt.

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is set to launch on June 26, 2025, exclusively for PlayStation 5, promising another thrilling journey into Kojima's imaginative world.