Kojima Fans Notice Fun Link Between Death Stranding 2 and Metal Gear Solid 2 Box Art

If you’re a fan of Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, you might already know it recently dropped a brand-new trailer, complete with a confirmed release date, a luxurious collector’s edition, striking box art, and more. As eager players dive into the details, one observant fan spotted a delightful nod to Hideo Kojima’s earlier work—Metal Gear Solid 2.

Reddit user ReverseTheFlash highlighted the connection by posting a side-by-side comparison of the Death Stranding 2 box art and a promotional image from Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty. In the Death Stranding 2 artwork, Sam “Porter” Bridges, played by Norman Reedus, holds the child “Lou,” a familiar figure to veterans of the original game. Meanwhile, the Metal Gear Solid 2 promo features Japanese singer Gackt cradling a child in a strikingly similar pose. While not identical, the thematic overlap is hard to ignore.

This isn’t the first time Kojima has drawn inspiration from his past projects. During the lead-up to Metal Gear Solid 2, Gackt played a significant role in its marketing campaign, even appearing in regional slipcovers for the game. In 2013, Kojima explained that Gackt’s involvement stemmed from the symbolic link between Metal Gear Solid 1’s theme of DNA and the letter “K” in Kojima’s name, which together form the name “Gackt.”

With its latest trailer packed full of Metal Gear Easter eggs, it’s no wonder fans are connecting the dots. Whether intentional or coincidental, these nods add layers of meaning for longtime Kojima enthusiasts. Either way, it’s always entertaining to revisit the past while looking forward to the future.

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach releases exclusively on PlayStation 5 on June 26, 2025.