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

Over the weekend, fans of Death Stranding 2: On the Beach were treated to a new trailer, along with exciting details such as the release date, a collector's edition, box art, and more. Amidst the buzz, eagle-eyed fans spotted a delightful nod 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 character familiar to players of the original game. Reddit user ReverseTheFlash highlighted this connection, posting a comparison between the new box art and a Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty slipcase, which shows Japanese singer Gackt in a strikingly similar pose with a child.

Though not an exact replica, the visual parallels between the two covers are intriguing and fun to note. This discovery also serves as a reminder of the quirky out-of-universe backstory related to Metal Gear Solid 2. In the lead-up to its release, Gackt was prominently featured in various promotional materials, including special slip-covers in some regions, adding to the game's mystique over the years.

For those curious about Gackt's involvement with Metal Gear Solid 2, Hideo Kojima provided an explanation in 2013. He chose Gackt for the game's TV commercials because "MGS1" was themed around DNA and "MGS2" around MEME. Kojima cleverly noted that DNA is composed of 'AGTC,' and by adding the 'K' from KOJIMA, it spells 'GACKT.'

Given the new trailer's evident Metal Gear vibes, it's no wonder fans are drawing these connections. While I believe any similarities are mainly indicative of recurring themes in Kojima's work, it's always 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 on PlayStation 5.