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 a release date, collector's edition details, box art, and more, has sent fans into a frenzy. 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 by juxtaposing the Death Stranding 2 art with a Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty slipcase featuring a remarkably similar composition: Japanese singer Gackt holding a child. While not identical, the resemblance is undeniable and sparked considerable online discussion.

This visual parallel is a fun nod to a peculiar aspect of Metal Gear Solid's promotional history. Gackt's significant involvement in the Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty marketing campaign, including region-specific slipcases, has long been a source of intrigue among fans.

Kojima himself shed light on this unusual collaboration in 2013, explaining that his choice to feature Gackt stemmed from a thematic connection: "MGS1 was about DNA & MGS2 MEME. DNA consists of 'AGTC,' adding 'K' of KOJIMA becomes 'GACKT.'"

Given the prevalent Metal Gear vibes in Death Stranding 2's new trailer, the similarities in the artwork aren't entirely surprising. While these parallels might simply reflect recurring thematic elements within Kojima's oeuvre, the connection adds an enjoyable layer to the anticipation surrounding the game's release. It also provides a nostalgic trip down memory lane for fans who remember the unique promotional campaign featuring Gackt.

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