Over the weekend, fans of Hideo Kojima were treated to a new trailer for Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, which also revealed the game's release date, a collector's edition, box art, and more. Amidst the excitement, one detail caught the attention of the community: a striking similarity between the box art of Death Stranding 2 and Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty. The box art for Death Stranding 2 features Sam "Porter" Bridges, played by Norman Reedus, cradling the child "Lou," a familiar face for fans of the original game. Reddit user ReverseTheFlash highlighted this connection, posting a comparison with a Metal Gear Solid 2 slipcase that shows Japanese singer Gackt in a similar pose with a child.
While the compositions aren't identical, the visual echo between the two covers is undeniable and has sparked discussions among fans. This nod to Metal Gear Solid 2 serves as a fun reminder of a peculiar piece of the game's promotional history. During the lead-up to Metal Gear Solid 2's release, Gackt was prominently featured in various promotional materials, including unique slip-covers in certain regions, adding an intriguing layer to the game's lore.
The reason behind Gackt's involvement in Metal Gear Solid 2's marketing was explained by Kojima himself in 2013. He revealed that Gackt was chosen because "MGS1 was about DNA and MGS2 MEME. DNA consists of 'AGTC,' and adding 'K' of KOJIMA becomes 'GACKT.'" This playful connection underscores Kojima's penchant for weaving personal and thematic threads into his work.
With the new trailer for Death Stranding 2 showcasing several nods to Metal Gear, it's no wonder fans are drawing these parallels. While these similarities may simply reflect recurring themes in Kojima's oeuvre, they certainly fuel speculation and nostalgia. Reflecting on promotional art featuring Gackt is a delightful journey down memory lane for many fans.
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.
