Over the weekend, fans of Death Stranding 2: On the Beach were treated to a new trailer, a release date, collector's edition details, box art, and more. Amidst the excitement, a keen-eyed fan noticed a delightful nod to director Hideo Kojima's past work with 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 first game. Reddit user ReverseTheFlash highlighted this connection, posting "He did it again," alongside a comparison with the Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty slipcase, which shows a similar composition with Japanese singer Gackt holding a child.
While the compositions are not identical, the similarities are striking and serve as a fun Easter egg for fans. This also brings to mind the peculiar promotional campaign for Metal Gear Solid 2, which involved Gackt in various promotional materials, including special slip-covers for the game in certain regions. These promotional items have intrigued and puzzled fans over the years.
For those curious about Gackt's involvement, Hideo Kojima explained in 2013 that he chose Gackt for Metal Gear Solid 2's TV commercials because "MGS1 was about DNA & 'MGS2' MEME. DNA consists 'AGTC', adding 'K' of KOJIMA becomes 'GACKT.'" This creative rationale adds an interesting layer to the game's promotional history.
Given the Metal Gear vibes present in the new trailer for Death Stranding 2, it's no wonder fans are drawing these connections. While I believe any similarities might be more a reflection of recurring themes in Kojima's work than direct references, it's always enjoyable to speculate and reminisce, especially with a promotional cover featuring Gackt.
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is set to launch on June 26, 2025, exclusively on PlayStation 5, promising more intriguing connections and storytelling from the mind of Hideo Kojima.
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