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

The excitement for Death Stranding 2: On the Beach continues to build as a new trailer was unveiled over the weekend, revealing not only a release date but also details about a collector's edition, box art, and more. As fans delve into the intricacies, one eagle-eyed observer has spotted a delightful nod to director Hideo 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 character familiar to players of the original game. Reddit user ReverseTheFlash highlighted this connection in a post titled "He did it again," juxtaposing the new box art with a Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty slipcase that showcases a strikingly similar composition. The Metal Gear Solid 2 promotional image features Japanese singer Gackt holding a child, echoing the theme seen in the Death Stranding 2 artwork.

While the images aren't identical, the resemblance is unmistakable and serves as a playful reminder of Hideo Kojima's creative fingerprints across his projects. The involvement of Gackt in Metal Gear Solid 2's promotional campaign adds an intriguing layer to this connection. Gackt appeared in various promos leading up to the game's release, including special slip-covers in certain regions, which have since become curious artifacts in the Metal Gear Solid universe.

Kojima himself provided insight into Gackt's involvement in a 2013 statement, explaining that the choice was thematic: "'MGS1' was about DNA & 'MGS2' MEME. DNA consists 'AGTC', adding 'K' of KOJIMA becomes 'GACKT.'" This clever play on letters underscores the depth of thought Kojima puts into his projects.

Given the new trailer's evident Metal Gear influences, it's no wonder fans are drawing these connections. While I believe any similarities are more a reflection of recurring themes in Kojima's work rather than direct references, it's always enjoyable to speculate and reminisce about the past, 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, promising another deep dive into Kojima's unique storytelling and visual style.