Drawbridge is the new organization Sam works for in Death Stranding 2: On the Beach. Led by Fragile, the organization’s goal is more or less the same as Bridges’ in the first game: reconnect entire nations to the Chiral Network to prevent human extinction. To do that, Sam is assisted by a whole new team of allies who manage to be even more strange – and compelling – than his friends in the first game.
I spent a good amount of time getting to know the Drawbridge crew during my nearly 25 hours playing the game. Here’s a general (and spoiler-free) overview of the previously revealed members and what they each bring to the table.
Dollman
Perhaps more than any new face in Death Stranding 2, Dollman has captured the attention of fans, given that he’s a sentient doll who moves with half the animation frames of every other character, giving him the appearance of a stop-motion figure. So what exactly is his deal?
Dollman was originally a normal human and a spirit medium. Somehow, his soul (or Ka) found its way into a doll. From what I’ve seen so far, Dollman has the most gameplay involvement of any Drawbridge member since he accompanies Sam on deliveries. Secured to Sam’s waist à la Mimir to Kratos in God of War, Dollman regularly chats with him about the world and current events, sharing intriguing anecdotes and providing helpful background information. When resting in Private Rooms, Dollman often has something new to say about what’s going on, and I encourage regularly speaking to him. Specific conversations can lead to some wildly surprising and entertaining events.
Furthermore, Dollman can aid players in combat. Selecting him from the inventory wheel lets you toss him into enemy camps where he’ll survey and tag enemies. He can also distract alerted foes.
Tarman
Sporting the likeness of Mad Max creator/director George Miller, Tarman serves as the captain and pilot of the DHV Magellan. He steers the ship through the Tar Network, the black substance BTs emerge from, by shoving his severed, tar-coated arm into a strange port; think of this like using a car key. Functionally speaking, this connection allows for fast-travel to various locations. Tarman is usually seen with his tar-covered winged cat and seems to have a particular love for Moby Dick, one of the many classic books Sam can read in his Private Room.
Rainy
Despite enduring the horrific reality of a post-Death Stranding Earth, Rainy has a surprisingly cheerful demeanor compared to pretty much everyone. However, this positivity belies an internal sadness; prior to meeting her, Rainy spent much of her life being ostracized for the powerful ability she possesses. Her name is a dead giveaway as to what she has command over, though there’s more to it than you think. Rainy is also seven months pregnant, and a mystery surrounds the status of her child and the father.
Tomorrow
Portrayed by Elle Fanning, Tomorrow is the most enigmatic Drawbridge member I encountered. Previous trailers showed her introduction, where Drawbridge discovers her inside a cocoon-like shell of Tar. Tomorrow is initially quiet and somewhat frightened of her new surroundings. When she does speak, she does so with the competency of a toddler. Despite Tomorrow’s communication limitations, she wields an incredible power tied to her apparent origin. Based on what I’ve seen, she may well be the most powerful member of Drawbridge.
Charlie
Charlie is the guise of Drawbridge’s mysterious benefactor. Taking the form of a mannequin bust who communicates with emoji-like anime-style facial reactions, his silly appearance juxtaposes with his importance to the cause. Since he’s the money man, he serves in a leadership capacity and will assign Sam tasks, but he still answers to Fragile first and foremost. When players meet him, they can assign his voice to sound like Sam’s previous comrades in Bridges to help ease Sam’s initial distrust of Charlie. The identity of the real person behind the mannequin is unknown.
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach launches on June 26 for PlayStation 5. You can learn more about the game by following the links to the following features:
Death Stranding 2 Hands-On Impressions – Building a Stronger Connection
Death Stranding 2’s Improved Combat Channels Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain In The Best Way
How Death Stranding 2’s Interactive Encyclopedia Helps Players Make Sense Of The Lore And Narrative
Death Stranding 2’s New Progression Systems Encourage Flexibility And Reward Every Approach
Death Stranding 2 Lets You Create Monorails And Transport Animals
