Death Stranding 2 Box Art Echoes 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 ripples of excitement through the fanbase. One particularly observant fan, Reddit user ReverseTheFlash, noticed a fascinating parallel between the game's box art and a piece of Metal Gear Solid 2 history.

The Death Stranding 2 box art depicts Sam "Porter" Bridges (Norman Reedus) cradling Lou, a familiar figure to players of the first game. ReverseTheFlash highlighted the striking resemblance to a Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty slipcase featuring singer Gackt holding a child in a remarkably similar pose. While not an exact replica, the compositional similarities are undeniable and undeniably fun to spot. This observation also serves as a quirky reminder of a peculiar aspect of Metal Gear Solid's promotional history.

Gackt's prominent role in the Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty promotional campaign, including these unique slipcases, has long been a source of both fascination and head-scratching for fans. Kojima himself shed light on this unusual collaboration in 2013, explaining that he chose Gackt because "MGS1" was about DNA and "MGS2" about memes. He playfully connected the DNA components "AGTC" with his own initial "K," forming "GACKT."

Given the noticeable Metal Gear influences in Death Stranding 2's new trailer, this parallel isn't entirely surprising. While these similarities may simply reflect recurring thematic elements in Kojima's work, the connection remains a delightful point of discussion for fans. It's a fun trip down memory lane, revisiting a promotional image featuring the iconic Gackt.

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