In the PlayStation State of Play trailer for Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, there are numerous intriguing elements, but what captivates my thoughts the most is the uncanny resemblance of the ship to Metal Gear Rex.
Referred to as the DHV Magellan, the ship appears prominently in the trailer, indicating that it might function as a central hub throughout the game.
Interestingly, it appears to accompany the player even when not on board, emerging dramatically from a fetus’s mouth early in the trailer and making subsequent appearances in the background as Sam navigates diverse landscapes. Various scenes showcase the Magellan floating, receding into an oil pool in an icy setting, and hovering over a large fire – though its role in the destruction remains unclear.
Regardless of its purpose, what stands out is the striking resemblance to Metal Gear Rex, from the triangular shape with a snub nose to the giant box reminiscent of the radar dish location and the crane mirroring where Rex’s rail gun would be. This visual similarity appears deliberate, potentially an homage to the iconic Metal Gear design, albeit with hover elements in place of legs.
While it could be attributed to a shared taste in mechanical designs developed over the years, it’s noteworthy that Hideo Kojima has collaborated with character and mechanical designer Yoji Shinkawa for decades.
Shinkawa is credited in both the original Metal Gear Solid, featuring Rex, and in Death Stranding 2. While an official crossover between Kojima’s new and old intellectual properties may not be intended, the visual reference seems apparent.
