Over the weekend, fans of Hideo Kojima were treated to a new trailer for Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, complete with an official release date, details on a collector's edition, and captivating box art. As the community delved into the new content, a fascinating connection to Kojima's previous work, Metal Gear Solid 2, was spotted by a keen-eyed Reddit user, ReverseTheFlash. The box art for Death Stranding 2 features Sam "Porter" Bridges, played by Norman Reedus, cradling the child "Lou," a familiar figure from the first game. This image drew comparisons to a promotional slipcase for Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, which showcased Japanese singer Gackt in a strikingly similar pose with a child.
ReverseTheFlash shared this observation on Reddit with the post titled "He did it again," sparking discussions about the recurring motifs in Kojima's works. While the images aren't identical, the parallels are undeniable and serve as a playful nod to fans who appreciate Kojima's artistic signatures. The Metal Gear Solid 2 promotional material, featuring Gackt, has long been a source of intrigue and confusion among fans, particularly due to its limited release in certain territories.
The involvement of Gackt in the Metal Gear Solid 2 campaign was explained by Kojima himself in 2013. He revealed that the choice of Gackt was tied to the thematic elements of the series: "MGS1 was about DNA & 'MGS2' MEME. DNA consists 'AGTC', adding 'K' of KOJIMA becomes 'GACKT.'" This quirky yet thoughtful connection adds another layer to the already rich tapestry of Kojima's storytelling and marketing strategies.
The new trailer for Death Stranding 2 has further fueled speculation among fans, with many noting the unmistakable "Metal Gear vibes." While these similarities might simply reflect recurring themes in Kojima's oeuvre, they provide ample fodder for fans to engage in speculation and nostalgic reflection. It's always delightful to revisit memorable promotional materials, such as the one featuring Gackt.
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is set to launch on June 26, 2025, exclusively on PlayStation 5, promising another deep dive into Kojima's unique narrative universe.
