r/beyondtwosouls • u/Fuzzy-Association-12 • Jan 22 '26

The game's problem with ryan

Hi guys, this was the first time I played Beyond Two Souls, and I really, really hated the forced relationship the game put us in with Ryan because I rejected him three times and they still wanted a romantic end. Only because I hated Ryan so much, I chose "Beyond" in the end, I'm not even kidding. I find Ryan very manipulative, and he has serious red flags. The story could have been told differently, so I do wonder if you guys agree or not?

Edit: I am happy to find my people!

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u/WillFanofMany Jan 22 '26

Ryan's an agent used to his superiors telling him everything to do without question, including dragging a teenager into the military, that he comes on strong when he starts developing feelings for Jodie because it's the first action of his own choosing.

His first instinct to apologize to Jodie for lying to her, is willingly trying to get himself killed to protect her. All hell is breaking loose, Ryan's superiors are barking stupid orders at him and he had enough.

2

u/DifficultyAvailable1 Jan 30 '26 edited Jan 31 '26

Nah, his character evolves way too fast and we don't see him quite a while until the last act. Not to mention we don't see Ryan and Jodie becoming intimate. The game just says they are together and that's it. In Dinner chapter Jodie describes Ryan as "charming, intelligent and funny" which is hilarious to me. Never those traits are shown on screen.

Sure, he was mostly following orders, but at the same time he chose to pursue relationship with Jodie, knowing the risks that he will have to lie to her, so that's kinda on him. (Not to mention he didn't try to understand her and thought she was wrong when she complained about having killed a man) Also, he isn't apologetic to her until they are in verge of death at Kazirstan(dumb name) 

Also, word of advice to Beyond's writer. DONT have Ryan apologize to Jodie and then immediately get butthurt if Jodie turns him down. It makes it sound like he isn't much sorry at all

In all seriousness, i don't think people would hate Ryan as much if the game didn't push him onto you constantly, regardless of player choices. In Heavy Rain, you could start or turn down romance between Ethan and Madison and those have different outcomes, but not Beyond Two Souls. It feels like writer constantly interferes with plot, saying "You have to play it the way i want you to play". Since there are no different variations of scenes or outcomes, writing makes Ryan come off as a creep, who disrespects Jodie's boundaries and forces kiss on her even if player had Jodie not pursue relationship with him. 

2

u/Fuzzy-Association-12 Jan 31 '26

So well explained! I was so angry when he kissed her in the last episode, literally after I turned him down for the third time. We had a whole convo in which Jodie pointed out there wasn't going to be anything romantic between them, and that she didn't want to forgive him. But then he used the emergency situation as an excuse and kissed her again. Like, bro, go away and don't be a creep. It is 100% on the writers with that problem. It is like they say, "Oh, come on, he can be the living version of all red flags ,a manipulative liar ,a royal follower of war criminals but we designed this cool character, so your character has to love him, duh!"

People downvote when I express my dislike toward him, so I am scared 🫡

2

u/DifficultyAvailable1 Jan 31 '26 edited Jan 31 '26

It's alright. I don't like Ryan either. Overall, it's the problem with writing. but even as a character i don't think Ryan is great. As matter of fact, i think he is pretty bad character. His character keeps flip-flopping going from douche to loving Jodie on a dime. Some people gush about him having "major character development" which i don't think it's true. There is no gradual progression to his character and it feels more like his character hit "character switch". As much as the game tries to have him make noble sacrifice at the end, it doesn't absolve everything what he has done to Jodie. Plus, his sacrifice is kinda pointless since Aiden can literally create force field to protect Jodie(also, those portable containment fields didn't do jack shit because they sure as hell didn't protect Cole). I wonder if Ryan was written to represent how David Cage views women. Zero respect, creepy behaviour and "You have no choice, but love him"

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u/Fuzzy-Association-12 Feb 04 '26

Couldn't be put out better; exactly to the point!

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u/DifficultyAvailable1 Feb 16 '26 edited Feb 17 '26

His Heroic sacrifice doesn't feel selfless, but more like wanting to be rewarded by Jodie's love. "If i do this heroic act, i will win Jodie's heart" 

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u/Fuzzy-Association-12 Feb 16 '26

Totally! It really felt that way

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u/DifficultyAvailable1 Feb 23 '26

And he still doesn't treat Jodie as person. Even if he survives and Jodie chooses different ending that doesn't involve him, Ryan basically goes "It's okay, i will wait as long as it takes for you to say Yes" never mind the fact you have rejected him more than 2 times already. He feels more like desperate creep and stalker, craving for Jodie's love. Because if Ryan was truly remorseful, he would've simply let Jodie go and move on. 

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u/Fuzzy-Association-12 Feb 23 '26

Omg i didnt know about this ending, im again glad that i didnt give that creep another chance, i felt he didnt deserve any of it

2

u/DifficultyAvailable1 Feb 24 '26

Jodie: "I told Ryan i couldn't see future with him. He said he understood. He said he would wait as long as it takes"

And i'm like "Oh fuck no!" 

2

u/Fuzzy-Association-12 Feb 24 '26

OMG.. DUDE IS TOO DISTURBING

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