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

The excitement surrounding "Death Stranding 2: On the Beach" reached new heights over the weekend with the release of a new trailer, an official release date, details on a collector's edition, and striking box art. As fans delved into these new reveals, one eagle-eyed enthusiast on Reddit, going by the username ReverseTheFlash, spotted an intriguing connection to director Hideo Kojima's earlier masterpiece, "Metal Gear Solid 2."

The box art for "Death Stranding 2: On the Beach" features Sam "Porter" Bridges, portrayed by Norman Reedus, tenderly holding the child "Lou," a character familiar to those who played the original game. ReverseTheFlash highlighted this artwork alongside a promotional slipcase from "Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty," which showcases Japanese singer Gackt holding a child in a strikingly similar composition. While not identical, the visual parallels between the two are undeniably fun to explore and a nod to the recurring motifs in Kojima's creative vision.

He did it again from r/DeathStranding

The "Metal Gear Solid 2" promotional material featuring Gackt adds a layer of intrigue and nostalgia to Kojima's history of game promotion. Gackt's involvement was extensive, including appearances in multiple promos and special slip-covers for the game in certain regions. This has led to a collection of unique MGS promotional items that continue to fascinate fans.

Kojima himself shed light on Gackt's role in the "Metal Gear Solid 2" campaign back in 2013, explaining, "The reason I asked Gackt to be on MGS2's TVCM is 'MGS1' was about DNA & 'MGS2' MEME. DNA consists 'AGTC', adding 'K' of KOJIMA becomes 'GACKT.'" This playful connection reflects Kojima's penchant for thematic depth and clever marketing.

Given the evident "Metal Gear" vibes in the new trailer for "Death Stranding 2," 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 revisit the past through such iconic promotional images.

"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 game design.