The Most Underrated Characters In The Life Is Strange Series

Key Takeaways

• Underrated characters in Life is Strange series deserve more love.
• Characters like Daniel Diaz, Ms. Grant, and Frank Bowers stand out.
• Each character, from Samuel Taylor to Charlotte Harmon, adds depth to the series.

Life is Strange first launched in 2015, and has been a staple in the episodic choose-your-own-adventure videogame format since. The series has since spawned numerous entries including a sequel and spin-offs. Though indie music and superpowers are commonly associated with Life is Strange, so is its host of spectacular characters. From interesting protagonists to difficult decisions, we all love figures like Max Caufield, Chloe Price, and more.

But with so many characters in the series, it also means that a few have slipped through the cracks and perhaps don’t get the appreciation they deserve. Whether it’s due to not having as much screen time or maybe being overshadowed by others, we believe these characters deserve more love from the fans.

Spoilers for Life is Strange, Life is Strange 2, Life is Strange: Before The Storm, and Life is Strange: True Colors below.

Updated Novmeber 9, 2024, by Mackenzee Hardyk: Now that Life is Strange: Double Exposure has launched, there is a new spark in the Life is Strange fans. When a new game in an ongoing series comes out, it’s hard not to look back and consider the previous characters in the series, even the smaller ones. So we’ve decided to add a few more people to the list of underrated Life is Strange characters.

13

Daniel Diaz

He’s Just A Kid

One of the most important things to remember about Daniel Diaz, is that he is just a kid who has been through a whole lot. His entire life was turned upside down and is continuously exposed to dangerous situations and people.

It’s easier to accept that Daniel is a bratty little kid who lashes out when he wants to. For that reason, he is underrated. He’s truly just a nine-year-old boy who has lost everything except his big brother and has to suddenly learn to control not only himself but his powers.

12

Frank Bowers

There’s A Little Good In Everyone

It’s hard to decide whether Frank is a good person or not while playing the first game. He first appears as a creepy dealer whom Chloe is in debt to and therefore causes problems for Max and Chloe.

But, it’s hard not to see Frank in a better light when you learn he rescued a bunch of dogs from a dog fighting ring or when he willingly gives Max and Chloe his ledger to help find Rachel. There is a lot of darkness surrounding Frank, but somewhere in him there’s a good heart.

11

Ms. Grant

The Teacher Everyone Needs

Ms. Grant is the science teacher at Blackwell and the few times you can speak to her, she makes it count. In both the first Life is Strange and Before The Storm, she doesn’t doubt the abilities and intelligence of her students.

Ms. Grant, unfortunately, is easy to forget, as she is never present for long in either of the games. She looks out for the students of Blackwell and seems to genuinely care about their well-being. She sees potential in everyone she crosses paths with.

10

Samuel Taylor

The Gentle Soul Of Blackwell

Samuel, the janitor of Blackwell, tends to come off as unsettling to many players as well as in-game characters and for this reason, he is underrated. Max herself says that, while he’s weird, she enjoys his company, and that is certainly something to consider.

Samuel is always very patient and kind to not only Max, but also to his surroundings. He takes care of the squirrels on campus and pays very close attention to the wildlife. Max could have told Samuel about her rewind powers, and he’d likely believe her and give her some metaphoric advice.

9

Chris Eriksen

The Smallest But Mightiest Protagonist

Chris Eriksen is likely the most unknown protagonist of one of the Life is Strange episodes simply because he only has one episode of the story, which is Captain Spirit, and it is optional to play. The little time you do get with Chris in Life is Strange 2 is quite playful and enjoyable.

The kid is like a ray of sunshine and it’s hard to not enjoy Chris and his hopeful imagination. He also has a huge impact on Daniel and is continuously thought of during the upcoming episodes.

8

Victoria Chase

The Best Rival

It may come as a surprise, but bully-turned-possibly-friend Victoria Chase has always been denied the care and consideration she deserves. Although she bullies the lovable protagonist of Life is Strange, Max, some snooping around and understanding of her character reveal this is likely due to her own insecurities. The right choices can also get her to open up and show a young and misguided woman who will turn out to care about Max and be apologetic for her behavior.

The worst part is when Victoria ends up getting kidnapped (and possibly murdered) by Mr. Jefferson. However, it’s revealed in Life is Strange 2 (for those who sacrificed Arcadia Bay), that Victoria survived and is now an art gallery host, who clearly admires Max and Chloe. Despite being a bully, the trauma Victoria went through was far from what she deserved, and her character development into a kinder person can often be overlooked.

7

Reginald McCallister III

A Happy Soul With A Sad Tale

A tragic character in Life is Strange: True Colors, Reginald McCallister III is an eccentric fellow who lightens up any room he’s in with his humor and kindness. But throughout the episodes, you learn about his strained relationship with his daughter, his clear alcohol problem, and his widowed status.

He may come across as an oddity when first introduced, but the writing for him does great justice in constructing an interesting and heartwarming character. He has his own woes that can be understood and empathized with.

6

Ryan Lucan

Deserved So Much More

When compared to Steph, it was obvious that Ryan had little to no chance as a romance option. However, that doesn’t mean he isn’t a great friend to Alex. But what’s more concerning is how his feelings tend to be dismissed by fans.

He loses his best friend, finds out his father is a fraud and a murderer, and can possibly be left all alone if Alex (and possibly Steph) decide to leave Haven Springs without him being romanced (which is likely). Ryan is a sensitive soul who deserved far better than he got, and could really use a little more love for everything that he went through.

5

Jacob Hackerman

Important But Overlooked

From one sensitive soul to another, Jacob from Life is Strange 2 is first introduced as a shy young man. He is later revealed to be a survivor of conversion therapy due to his sexuality. The character opens up an important discussion about the ramifications of conversion therapy and religious zealotry, which tends to be overlooked in comparison to the main characters and plot, which is to rescue Daniel from the same community that Jacob escaped.

Though he appears in just a couple of episodes, Jacob really helps move the story along, touching on some serious topics. He deserves to stand out more as a well-written character from Life is Strange’s sequel.

4

Joyce Price

An Amazing Mother

Joyce Price is the mother of the popular character Chloe, a caring and strong figure who tries her best after the loss of Chloe’s father. Joyce got a lot of love when Life is Strange originally launched, but that seems to have fizzled out — even with confirmation of her death due to the sacrifice of Arcadia Bay ending.

Much like the other underrated characters, Joyce has been through a lot and can sometimes be underappreciated. Many forget that, though Chloe lost a father, Joyce lost a husband. However, she has to remain strong and work hard to support what’s left of her family.

3

Charlotte Harmon

Teaches Us About Grief

Life is Strange: True Colors continues to showcase one tragic character after another. Charlotte Harmon has to deal with her boyfriend’s death and being relegated to being a single mother once again. Charlotte demonstrates incredibly complex feelings of anger, guilt, depression, and so much more that come with the feeling of grief.

From an incredible performance by voice actor Exzinia Scott to writing that gives us time to process Charlotte’s feelings, she is a stellar character who, for some reason, just never gets mentioned in most discussions of the game.

2

Alex Chen

A Great Protagonist

It’s odd to believe that a protagonist could be underrated, especially when Max Caufield is so beloved. But Alex Chen, unfortunately, fits the bill of being underrated — even though she has led her own game. Most people misunderstand her character and the discussion surrounding the experience of the adoption system, or simply label her as ‘boring’.

Despite this, Alex comes across as a strong and personable character with some really great quotes. Not to mention, her powers are perhaps the most unique in the series so far, making her just that much more of a great character to play as.

1

Sean Diaz

The Saddest Protagonist

It’s even odder for there to have multiple underrated protagonists, but Sean Diaz fits the bill. The protagonist of Life is Strange 2 is set with the heavy task of guiding his brother Daniel after the death of their father, and the discovery that Daniel has powers. Interestingly, the sequel focuses on a non-powered protagonist, leading some to overlook Sean.

However, he has tenacity and courage that is almost unmatched in the series. He tries his best in a world set against him, leading to a ton of interesting choices in what path he goes down.