Let me tell you, traversing the hauntingly beautiful yet desolate landscapes of Death Stranding 2 feels fundamentally different from the first game. Gone is that profound sense of isolation Sam Bridges once endured. Instead, I'm constantly accompanied by Dollman – a literal doll-man companion who, while visually striking and narratively intriguing, has become the source of my mounting frustration. His non-stop, repetitive commentary on my every action is grating, turning what should be an immersive journey into an exercise in patience. Yes, Dollman, I KNOW my sniper rifle doesn't have a silencer! You've only mentioned it a dozen times this hour. This constant stream of obvious 'advice' is a jarring contrast to the lonely, contemplative trek I remember, and honestly, it's starting to wear me down. 😩
Dollman: From Novel Companion to Nagging Voice in Your Ear
Kojima Productions clearly aimed to evolve the companion system. Dollman isn't just window dressing; he's integral to the story unfolding in Death Stranding 2: On the Beach. He assists with tasks, offers narrative context, and has his own character arc. Conceptually, it’s ambitious! Yet, the execution of his gameplay role has hit a sour note for many players, myself included. His programmed responses trigger far too frequently and often state the blatantly obvious:
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"Sam, that sniper rifle you're carrying doesn't have a silencer!" 🎯 (The undisputed champion of annoyance)
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"You dropped some cargo back there, Sam." 📦 (As if the visual cue and controller rumble weren't enough)
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Pointing out environmental hazards 🌧️ you've already navigated perfectly fine a hundred times before.
The problem isn't necessarily the advice itself the first time; it's the utter lack of awareness that he's repeating the same lines ad nauseam. There's no cooldown, no sense that he learns you might actually grasp these concepts after the fiftieth reminder. It transforms helpful guidance into relentless, overbearing micromanagement.
The fantasy of many a frustrated player: Giving Dollman some literal air time.
The Community's Verdict: Memes, Frustration, and Pleas for Mercy
I'm far from alone in feeling this way. A quick glance at the game's subreddit or forums reveals a playerbase deeply divided on Dollman:
| Reaction Type | Description | Example Sentiment |
|---|---|---|
| Meme Lords 😂 | Turning frustration into humor | "Dollman when I pick up a stick: 'SAM, THAT'S A STICK. IT CAN BE USED FOR PRODDING OR THROWING.'" |
| Genuinely Annoyed 😤 | Expressing real gameplay disruption | "His constant chatter breaks immersion and is driving me insane." |
| Desperate Pleaders 🙏 | Asking for a simple solution | "PLEASE let us mute his repeated advice lines!" |
Posts titled things like "Can I throw Dollman away?" or showcasing Sam literally yeeting the hapless doll off a cliff (a popular in-game pastime now) are becoming commonplace. While many appreciate Dollman as a character, there's near-universal agreement among players experiencing this issue: the frequency and repetitiveness of his unsolicited advice needs serious tuning. It feels less like having a companion and more like being stuck on a hike with an overly anxious parrot.
People Also Ask:
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Can you actually silence Dollman in Death Stranding 2? Sadly, as of mid-2025, there's no official in-game setting to mute only his repetitive advice lines. Lowering dialogue volume affects everything.
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Is Dollman important to the story? Absolutely! He's a core narrative component in On the Beach, not just a gameplay gimmick. His significance makes the annoyance harder to ignore.
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Did the original Death Stranding have this issue? Not really! BB's cries were situational (BTs, stress), and player structures/ladders were passive. The constant verbal commentary is a new, and for many, unwelcome, feature.
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Has Kojima Productions responded to the feedback? No official statement has been released yet, but the sheer volume of player discussion makes it hard to imagine they're unaware.
The Verdict: A Great Character Marred by Poor Implementation
So, where does that leave us? Dollman himself is a fascinating creation. His design is unsettlingly unique, his backstory mysterious, and his role in the overall narrative of Death Stranding 2 seems crucial. He should be a highlight. Yet, the relentless, obvious, and unskippable nature of his in-game commentary is a significant design flaw that actively detracts from the experience. It adds unnecessary noise, breaks immersion, and frankly, just gets on your nerves after a few hours of play.
For a game series celebrated for its atmospheric silence and contemplative pacing, Dollman's endless chatter feels like a tonal misstep. The community's reaction – a blend of memes expressing shared frustration and genuine requests for an option to tone down his repeated lines – speaks volumes. Players aren't asking to remove Dollman; they're asking for the ability to enjoy his company without being constantly told things they already know. I started this journey intrigued by my new companion, but now? Now I completely understand why so many players dream of giving him a long, silent flight off the nearest cliff. Here's hoping Kojima Productions hears our silent (or not so silent) screams for a volume dial on the advice.
The following breakdown is based on reporting from GamesIndustry.biz, a trusted source for industry news and developer insights. Their coverage often explores how player feedback on companion AI and dialogue frequency can directly influence post-launch updates, with developers sometimes implementing new options or patches in response to widespread community sentiment—much like the current calls for a Dollman advice toggle in Death Stranding 2.