Over the weekend, fans of Death Stranding 2: On the Beach were treated to an exciting new trailer, along with a release date, collector's edition details, box art, and more. As enthusiasts delved into these reveals, one intriguing detail caught their attention—a 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, portrayed by Norman Reedus, cradling the child "Lou," a familiar character from the first game. Reddit user ReverseTheFlash highlighted this connection with a post titled "He did it again," juxtaposing the box art with a Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty slipcase that showcases a similar motif. The Metal Gear Solid 2 promotional image shows Japanese singer Gackt holding a child in a composition that echoes the new Death Stranding 2 cover. While not an exact replica, the similarities are striking and fun to observe, serving as a reminder of the intriguing promotional history of Metal Gear Solid 2.
Leading up to its release, Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty featured Gackt prominently in its marketing campaign, including special slip-covers in certain regions. These have since become curious pieces of Metal Gear Solid memorabilia, sparking both interest and confusion among fans over the years.
For those curious about Gackt's involvement, Hideo Kojima provided an explanation in 2013. He stated that he chose Gackt for Metal Gear Solid 2's TV commercials because "MGS1 was about DNA and MGS2 about MEME. DNA consists of 'AGTC,' and adding 'K' of KOJIMA becomes 'GACKT.'" This playful connection underscores Kojima's creative approach to marketing.
Given the new trailer's evident Metal Gear influences, it's no wonder fans are drawing connections between Death Stranding 2 and Kojima's earlier works. While these similarities might primarily reflect recurring themes in Kojima's oeuvre, they certainly fuel speculation and nostalgia, especially when revisiting promotional materials featuring Gackt.
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is set to launch on June 26, 2025, exclusively on PlayStation 5.
