Over the weekend, fans of Hideo Kojima were treated to an exciting reveal: a new trailer for "Death Stranding 2: On the Beach," along with a release date, collector's edition details, and the game's box art. Amidst the buzz, eagle-eyed fans have spotted a delightful nod to Kojima's past work, specifically "Metal Gear Solid 2."

The box art for "Death Stranding 2: On the Beach" features Sam "Porter" Bridges, played by Norman Reedus, cradling the child "Lou," a familiar figure to those who played the first game. Reddit user ReverseTheFlash highlighted this connection with the post "He did it again," juxtaposing the box art with a slipcase from "Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty" that shows Japanese singer Gackt in a strikingly similar pose with a child. While the images aren't identical, the resemblance is undeniable and adds a fun layer of nostalgia for fans.

This connection harks back to a unique aspect of "Metal Gear Solid 2's" promotional campaign, where Gackt featured prominently in various promos and even on special slip-covers in some regions. These have become a curious piece of "Metal Gear Solid" memorabilia that continues to fascinate and puzzle fans.

For those curious about Gackt's involvement, Hideo Kojima himself explained it in 2013. He stated that Gackt was chosen for "MGS2's TVCM because 'MGS1' was about DNA and 'MGS2' about MEME. DNA consists of 'AGTC'; adding 'K' of KOJIMA becomes 'GACKT.'" An intriguing connection, to say the least.

Given the new trailer's strong "Metal Gear" vibes, it's no wonder fans are drawing these parallels. While I believe these similarities are more a reflection of recurring themes in Kojima's work, it's always enjoyable to speculate and reminisce, especially with a promotional cover featuring Gackt.

"Death Stranding 2: On the Beach" is set to launch on June 26, 2025, and will be exclusive to the PlayStation 5.