Over the weekend, fans of Hideo Kojima's work were treated to a new trailer for Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, along with a release date, a collector's edition, box art, and more. As the community delved into the details, one fan, Reddit user ReverseTheFlash, pointed out a delightful nod to 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 original game. ReverseTheFlash shared a side-by-side comparison on Reddit, captioned "He did it again," showcasing this alongside a Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty slipcase that portrays a similar composition with Japanese singer Gackt holding a child. While not identical, the resemblance is striking and fun to observe.

This connection serves as a reminder of the curious out-of-universe backstory surrounding Metal Gear Solid 2. Leading up to its release, Gackt was prominently featured in various promotional materials for the game, including special slip-covers in certain regions. These items have since become intriguing pieces of memorabilia that continue to captivate and perplex fans.

For those curious about Gackt's involvement, Kojima provided an explanation in 2013. He noted that the theme of Metal Gear Solid 1 was DNA, while Metal Gear Solid 2 focused on memes. He playfully explained that DNA consists of 'AGTC,' and by adding 'K' for Kojima, it becomes 'GACKT,' hence the choice to feature Gackt in the promotional campaign.

Given the new trailer for Death Stranding 2 exudes strong Metal Gear vibes, it's no wonder fans are drawing these parallels. While I believe any similarities are more a reflection of recurring themes in Kojima's work, it's always enjoyable to speculate and reminisce, especially about unique promotional covers featuring Gackt.

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