Over the weekend, fans were treated to a new trailer for Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, which also unveiled the game's release date, collector's edition, box art, and more. Amidst the excitement, eagle-eyed fans have spotted a delightful nod to Hideo Kojima's earlier 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 character familiar to players of the original game. Reddit user ReverseTheFlash shared this observation, posting "He did it again," alongside a comparison to the Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty slipcase that shows Japanese singer Gackt in a strikingly similar pose with a child.
While the images aren't identical, the parallels are undeniable and amusing to note. This connection also serves as a reminder of the quirky promotional tactics used for Metal Gear Solid 2. Gackt was prominently featured in various promos leading up to the game's launch, including special slip-covers in certain regions, which have since become intriguing pieces of MGS memorabilia.
For those curious about Gackt's involvement, Hideo Kojima explained in 2013 that he chose Gackt for the Metal Gear Solid 2 TV commercials because "MGS1 was about DNA & 'MGS2' MEME. DNA consists 'AGTC', adding 'K' of KOJIMA becomes 'GACKT.'" This playful reasoning underscores the creative and often eccentric approach Kojima takes to his projects.
With the new trailer for Death Stranding 2 echoing some of the vibes from Metal Gear Solid, it's no wonder fans are drawing connections. Personally, I see these similarities as a reflection of recurring themes and ideas across Kojima's body of work. Nonetheless, it's always enjoyable to delve into these connections and reminisce about memorable promotional campaigns, like the one featuring Gackt.
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is set to launch on June 26, 2025, exclusively on PlayStation 5. Don't miss out on this highly anticipated sequel!
