Death Stranding 2 Art Evokes Metal Gear Solid 2 Cover

Over the weekend, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach unveiled a new trailer, a release date, a collector’s edition, box art, and more. As fans dig into the details, one sharp observer spotted a clever callback to director Hideo Kojima’s earlier project: Metal Gear Solid 2.

The box art for Death Stranding 2: On the Beach features Sam "Porter" Bridges, played by Norman Reedus, cradling the infant "Lou," a familiar presence for veterans of the original game. Reddit user ReverseTheFlash highlighted the parallel in a post titled "He did it again," placing the new cover alongside a Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty slipcase with strikingly similar imagery.

He did it again
byu/ReverseTheFlash inDeathStranding

The Metal Gear Solid 2 promotional artwork shows Japanese singer Gackt holding a child in a comparable composition. While not identical, the similarity between the two covers is unmistakable—and a nostalgic nod to an unusual piece of Metal Gear Solid’s promotional history.

In the lead-up to the game’s original release, Gackt appeared in multiple campaigns for Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty. Among these were limited-edition slipcovers in certain regions, creating a piece of MGS memorabilia that has intrigued and puzzled fans for years.

Why was Gackt chosen to play such a prominent role in the Metal Gear Solid 2 marketing push? Kojima shed light on the mystery back in 2013. He explained that he invited Gackt to appear in the MGS2 TV commercial because, “'MGS1' was about DNA, and 'MGS2' was about MEME. DNA is made of 'A, G, T, C,' and by adding the 'K' from KOJIMA, it becomes 'GACKT.'” So now you know.

Given the strong Metal Gear vibes running through the new Death Stranding 2 trailer, it’s no surprise fans are connecting the dots. In my view, any resemblance is likely a reflection of recurring themes in Kojima’s creative work. Still, it’s fun to speculate—and a great excuse to revisit that memorable Gackt cover from years past.

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