Hideo Kojima Fans Spot a Fun Similarity Between Death Stranding 2's Box Art and Metal Gear Solid 2

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach’s new trailer, complete with release date, collector's edition details, box art, and more, has sent ripples of excitement through the fanbase. One particularly observant fan, Reddit user ReverseTheFlash, noticed a fascinating connection to director Hideo Kojima's past work: Metal Gear Solid 2.

The striking similarity lies in the box art for Death Stranding 2. It depicts Sam "Porter" Bridges (Norman Reedus) holding the child "Lou," a familiar image to players of the first game. ReverseTheFlash highlighted this resemblance by juxtaposing it with a Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty slipcase featuring a similar composition—Japanese singer Gackt holding a child. While not an exact match, the parallel is undeniable and adds a fun layer to the anticipation. This also serves as a quirky reminder of a peculiar aspect of Metal Gear Solid's (out-of-universe) history.

Gackt's prominent role in Metal Gear Solid 2's promotional campaign, including these unique slipcovers, has led to much speculation and intrigue over the years. Kojima himself clarified the reason in 2013, stating that he chose Gackt because "MGS1" was about DNA (AGTC), and adding his initial "K" resulted in "GACKT," tying it to the "MEME" theme of "MGS2."

Given the prevalent Metal Gear vibes in Death Stranding 2's new trailer, these parallels are hardly surprising. While the similarities might simply reflect recurring thematic elements within Kojima's oeuvre, the connection is undeniably fun to explore. It's a delightful trip down memory lane, especially considering that promotional art featuring Gackt.

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is set to launch on June 26, 2025, exclusively on PlayStation 5.