Kojima Fans Notice Striking Resemblance in Box Art of Death Stranding 2 and Metal Gear Solid 2

Over the weekend, fans of Death Stranding 2: On the Beach were treated to an exciting new trailer, along with a confirmed release date, details on a collector's edition, box art, and more. As enthusiasts delved into these new reveals, one eagle-eyed fan discovered a delightful nod to 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 face for those who played the first game. Reddit user ReverseTheFlash highlighted this connection in a post titled "He did it again," juxtaposing the Death Stranding 2 box art with a Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty slipcase that showcases a similar motif.

He did it again from r/DeathStranding

The Metal Gear Solid 2 promotional image shows Japanese singer Gackt holding a child in a composition strikingly similar to the new Death Stranding 2 art. While not an exact replica, the parallels are certainly fun to note and serve as a reminder of the intriguing promotional history surrounding Metal Gear Solid 2.

During the lead-up to Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty's release, Gackt was prominently featured in various promotional materials. This included special slip-covers for the game in certain regions, resulting in unique MGS memorabilia that has both fascinated and perplexed fans over the years.

For those curious about Gackt's involvement in the Metal Gear Solid 2 campaign, Hideo Kojima provided an explanation in 2013. He stated that Gackt was chosen because "MGS1 was about DNA and MGS2 about MEME. DNA consists of 'AGTC,' and adding 'K' from KOJIMA becomes 'GACKT.'" A clever play on letters, indeed.

Given that the new trailer for Death Stranding 2 has a strong Metal Gear vibe, it's no wonder fans are drawing these connections. While I believe any similarities are likely a reflection of recurring themes in Kojima's work, it's always enjoyable to speculate and reminisce, especially with a nostalgic promotional cover featuring Gackt.

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