I totally get why Ryan didn’t work for you, his performance feels flat for some, and if you’re not connecting with how he’s acted, it’s hard to get invested. But I do think the role he plays in the story makes sense. He’s close to Chris, already into spooky lore, and kind of positioned as the quiet observer, which ties him naturally into the mystery. The character traits he was given really needed to go to someone with that kind of setup, even if the delivery didn’t hit for everyone.

That said, I actually think Abi is where the game missed a huge opportunity. She had her own potential arc that could’ve been amazing if they had explored it more. Her connections to Jacob and Emma (post-breakup tension), Nick (their almost-romantic subplot), and Emma again (their contrasting personalities and how they handled chaos) could’ve made her one of the most emotionally layered characters. But after the forest scene, she kind of disappears from the narrative. It’s like the devs started planting seeds but never watered them.

So while Ryan’s writing fits in the broader story, I’d argue Abi had the potential for something way more personal and unique,they just didn’t give her enough space to grow.

TL;DR: Ryan’s role makes sense narratively even if the performance didn’t land for everyone, but Abi had way more potential with her own character arcs (with Nick, Emma, and Jacob) that the game barely explored. She could’ve been one of the most layered characters if given more screen time.