Death Stranding 2 Box Art Echoes Metal Gear Solid 2

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach’s new trailer, complete with release date, collector’s edition details, box art, and more, has sent ripples of excitement through the fanbase. One particularly observant fan, Reddit user ReverseTheFlash, highlighted a fascinating connection between the game's box art and Hideo Kojima's past work on Metal Gear Solid 2.

The Death Stranding 2 box art, featuring Norman Reedus as Sam "Porter" Bridges holding the child Lou, bears a striking resemblance to a Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty slipcase. ReverseTheFlash's post, titled "He did it again," juxtaposes the two images, showcasing the similar composition of a figure holding a child. The Metal Gear Solid 2 image features Japanese singer Gackt in a nearly identical pose.

While not an exact replica, the similarity is undeniable and adds a fun layer to the anticipation surrounding Death Stranding 2. This also serves as a reminder of a curious, and somewhat obscure, piece of Metal Gear Solid lore.

Gackt's prominent role in the Metal Gear Solid 2 promotional campaign, including region-specific slipcases, has long been a source of intrigue for fans. Kojima himself explained the connection in 2013, stating that he chose Gackt because "MGS1" was about DNA (AGTC), and adding his initial "K" resulted in "GACKT."

Given the noticeable Metal Gear influences in Death Stranding 2's trailer, the parallels between the box art designs are hardly surprising. While these similarities might simply reflect recurring thematic elements in Kojima's work, the connection is undeniably fun to explore. It's a delightful trip down memory lane, especially for those who remember the unique promotional materials featuring Gackt.

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