Life is Strange: True Colors is a narrative game that is the fifth game in the beloved Life is Strange franchise. Fans of the series have been swept up in a whirlwind of young adult drama, supernatural powers, and impactful characters, full of emotional highs and lows.
As in all mainline Life is Strange games so far, romance is an ever-present possibility in True Colors. Choices made throughout the game will shape the player's relationships with Steph and Ryan, two young adults who knew Alex’s brother well. A platonic relationship is always on the table for those who would prefer to play it casually. However, if romance is in the air for Alex, the player can send a definite signal by gifting a rose to their choice in Chapter 4 at the Spring Festival. Here is why that choice should be Ryan Lucan.
5 RYAN IS THE HIMBO KING
For Alex, and many people who are navigating their twenties, toxic and destructive relationships are all too common. This has certainly been the case in Life is Strange games so far.
This is why this delightfully dweeby boy-scout boyfriend is such a refreshing change of pace for the series. In Chapter One of Life is Strange: True Colors, Alex heads to the record store and meets Steph, the edgy, eccentric radio DJ, and Gabe’s best friend, Ryan. Instead of picking up the latest hit from an alternative indie rock band, Ryan is here for one thing, and one thing only. A CD of bird calls.
That’s right. This bird watching himbo is unassuming, nerdy, and, above all, kind. Some might even say bland. But considering the whirlwind of tragedy that Alex has encountered, ‘boring’ might just be the antidote she needs.
4 HE LOVED ALEX'S BROTHER
Many narrative games rely on the strength of the characters and the story they weave throughout the game. In True Colors, the residents of Haven Springs are “arguably the strongest element of the game”. Furthermore, the relationships built with the characters along the way influence the heartfelt ending options, ultimately reflecting the journey players took through Haven Springs with protagonist Alex Chen.
At the end of Chapter One, a canceled blast from the mines goes off, causing an avalanche that strikes Gabe and knocks him off the cliff. Ryan cuts the rope holding Gabe to save Alex, plunging her brother’s body into the ravine below. Dealing with the sheer sorrow and anger Ryan has brought the two closer together. Ryan wholeheartedly supports Alex in her grief, her investigation of Typhon and, if the player should choose, her powers, making him the perfect partner in crime.
3 HE HAS A HEART OF GOLD
It is important to remember empathy truly is a superpower. Amidst the trauma, isolation, and loneliness, the human connections people make can often be a lifeline.
Alex Chen has the supernatural ability to experience the strong emotions of others, which she sees as blazing, colored auras. By entering a state called ‘Nova’, she is able to manipulate and read these emotions at will. At the end of Chapter Two, Alex helps Ryan deal with his own trauma surrounding Gabe’s death by reminding him of the joy the two friends shared.
Ryan is sweet, supportive, and understanding of Alex’s trauma, too. If the player has dealt with toxic romantic relationships in their life, Ryan can be a gentle reminder that, sometimes, people can simply be as good as they seem.
2 LGBTQ+ REPRESENTATION
Life is Strange is known for its optional LGBTQ+ relationships with main characters. In the first game, players can choose between a romance with Chloe or Warren. In Life is Strange 2, players can choose Cassidy or Finn as a romance option for Sean Diaz. In both of these cases, the protagonist is ‘playersexual’. This is the phenomenon in games that lets the player decide the character’s sexuality based on their preference.
However, Alex Chen is chaotically, canonically bisexual. She’s written as a chronically online, early-twenties, bisexual mess, which makes her all the more relatable. Alex is clearly attracted to both Steph and Ryan, who both return that attraction. Unfetishized women-loving-women relationships are rare in media, so it’s understandable that many LGBTQ+ players may choose to romance Steph over Ryan. However, it’s important to remember that bisexual women can date men and still be part of the LGBTQ+ community. Falling for the loyal and lovable Ryan doesn’t erase Alex’s bisexual identity.
1 LUMBERJACK DADDY
All the points so far have ignored the most obvious thing – Ryan is hot. Simple as.
It’s not just his dashing good looks and adorkable dress sense that set him apart. In Chapter 3 of Life is Strange: True Colors, Steph organizes a LARP for Gabe’s stepson, Ethan, to cheer him up after Gabe’s death. This is a really kind gesture, but Ryan brings it to life by playing a number of fantasy monsters in the streets.
Ryan’s protective, caring instincts are best served as Haven Spring’s Park Ranger, but his awkward acting skills deserve a shout-out too. For almost all of True Colors, Ryan is willing to shift the weight of the world, or indeed, a giant ogre head, onto his shoulders to help his loved ones. His sensitive, giving nature is, by far, the most attractive thing of all, and the number one reason why players should give Ryan Lucan a chance.
Life is Strange: True Colors was released on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC, GeForce Now, and Google Stadia on September 10, 2021. It will also be available on Nintendo Switch later this year.
Life is Strange: Wavelengths, the DLC story starring Steph Gingrich, will be available to players who own the Deluxe Upgrade, Deluxe Edition, or Ultimate Edition, on September 30, 2021. It will also be available on Nintendo Switch later this year.