Over the weekend, fans of Hideo Kojima were treated to a new trailer for Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, which also revealed a release date, a collector's edition, box art, and more. Amidst the excitement, a keen-eyed fan spotted a nostalgic nod to Kojima's previous work, Metal Gear Solid 2. The box art for Death Stranding 2: On the Beach features protagonist Sam "Porter" Bridges, played by Norman Reedus, cradling the child "Lou," a familiar figure from the first game. Reddit user ReverseTheFlash pointed out the striking similarity to a Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty slipcase, which depicts Japanese singer Gackt holding a child in a similar pose.
The comparison has sparked discussions among fans, as the visual echo between the two covers isn't exact but certainly evocative. This connection serves as a reminder of the intriguing, out-of-universe backstory tied to Metal Gear Solid 2. Gackt's involvement in the game's promotional campaign was extensive, including appearances in multiple TV commercials and special slip-covers for certain regions, which have since become fascinating pieces of gaming memorabilia.
For those curious about Gackt's role in the Metal Gear Solid 2 promotions, Hideo Kojima himself provided an explanation back in 2013. He noted that while Metal Gear Solid 1 focused on DNA, Metal Gear Solid 2 centered around the concept of memes. Kojima playfully connected the dots by pointing out that DNA is composed of 'AGTC,' and by adding the 'K' from his surname, it forms 'GACKT.'
Given that the new trailer for Death Stranding 2 exudes strong Metal Gear vibes, it's no wonder fans are drawing these parallels. While I believe any similarities might reflect recurring themes in Kojima's work, it's always enjoyable to speculate and reminisce, especially about a promotional cover featuring Gackt.
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is set to launch on June 26, 2025, and will be available exclusively on the PlayStation 5.
