Death Stranding: Every Major Character Ranked & Explained

Now, from the very outset of Death Stranding Die-Hardman may seem like nothing more than a cheap “in-joke” - because Hideo Kojima loves movies, or just a simple quest is given in that. But the more the player guides Sam to reconnect the United Cities of America via the Chiral Network, the more the veil is lifted on this somewhat mysterious masked man. Until he literally removes his mask and all that is left is a shell of a man who once was a loyal soldier.

His name is also, in fact, a double entendre as John Blake McClane lives up to his moniker and vigorously maintains his goals to keep the mission going. Literally living up to the meaning of Die-Hard.

However, like most in this game, Die-Hardman has a shadowy past and is more tied into the events of Sam being pulled into Clifford’s beaches than once thought. Formerly a member of the Green Beret under the command of Captain Clifford Unger, he was saved many times over by his Captain, to the point where he was ready to betray Bridges and Amelie to help Cliff escape with BB.

We learn that this went sour and Die-Hardman was born not long after and from there on, he would live with incredible guilt that was only ever made easy when he was helping to connect the country he fought for, and loved.

Also, let it be said that Tommie Earl Jenkins delivers one of the best performances in a video game to date towards the end. Hands down he should've got the nod at the Game Awards.