Over the weekend, fans of the upcoming game Death Stranding 2: On the Beach were treated to a new trailer, a release date, details on a collector's edition, box art, and more. Amidst the excitement, eagle-eyed fans have spotted a nostalgic nod to director Hideo Kojima's earlier work, Metal Gear Solid 2.
The box art for Death Stranding 2: On the Beach features Sam "Porter" Bridges, played by Norman Reedus, cradling the child "Lou," a familiar character from the first game. This imagery caught the attention of Reddit user ReverseTheFlash, who posted a side-by-side comparison with a Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty slipcase. The slipcase shows Japanese singer Gackt in a similar pose, holding a child. While not identical, the resemblance is striking and has sparked discussion among fans.
This connection is a delightful reminder of the promotional campaign for Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, where Gackt played a prominent role. Special slip-covers featuring Gackt were released in some regions, contributing to the game's unique promotional materials that have fascinated fans over the years.
For those curious about Gackt's involvement, Hideo Kojima provided an intriguing explanation back in 2013. He stated that he chose Gackt for the Metal Gear Solid 2 TV commercials because "MGS1 was about DNA and MGS2 about MEME. DNA consists of 'AGTC,' and adding 'K' from KOJIMA becomes 'GACKT.'" This playful reason adds a layer of depth to the promotional strategy.
Given the new trailer's evident Metal Gear influences, it's no wonder fans are drawing these connections. While the similarities might be seen as recurring themes in Kojima's work, they certainly provide fans with fun speculation and a trip down memory lane, especially when revisiting promotional art featuring Gackt.
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is set to launch on June 26, 2025, exclusively on PlayStation 5.
