Thirsty Suitors
- November 2, 2023
- Outerloop Games
- 10h median play time
A memorable experience that left me wanting more (in a good way).
"Thirsty Suitors" is a narrative-driven game where you play as a young woman returning home and facing her past relationships. The game features a unique blend of cooking mechanics, turn-based battles, and skateboarding action. Through engaging storytelling and strategic gameplay, navigate the ups and downs of love, family, and self-discovery.
Reviews
- Thirsty Suitors features a unique blend of genres, combining turn-based RPG mechanics with cooking and skating, resulting in a fun and engaging gameplay experience.
- The writing is sharp and humorous, with well-developed characters that provide a heartfelt exploration of family dynamics and personal growth, making it relatable for many players.
- The game excels in representation, showcasing diverse characters and LGBTQ+ themes, all wrapped in a vibrant art style and an excellent soundtrack.
- The skating mechanics can feel clunky and unresponsive, leading to frustration during challenges, which detracts from the overall experience.
- Combat can become repetitive, with a lack of depth in the turn-based system that may not satisfy players looking for a more strategic RPG experience.
- Some plot points and character arcs feel rushed or underdeveloped, leaving players wanting more depth and resolution in the story.
- story169 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The story of *Thirsty Suitors* is a vibrant blend of family drama, cultural exploration, and personal growth, drawing comparisons to works like *Scott Pilgrim vs. The World* and *Everything Everywhere All at Once*. Players appreciate the diverse and relatable characters, engaging dialogue, and the unique integration of gameplay mechanics that enhance the narrative, though some feel certain character arcs and plot points could have been more developed. Overall, the game is celebrated for its heartfelt storytelling, humor, and the way it addresses themes of identity, reconciliation, and the complexities of relationships.
“This was a magnificent, emotionally compelling story.”
“The story of Jala, her family, and friends, each with their own lived experiences, feels so important and relevant to today’s society, and it's a joy to play through.”
“Thirsty suitors dazzles with flair and wit, but underneath all the thirst humor is a heartfelt story of family, identity, and returning home.”
“Warning - ending spoilers ahead: the skatepark story wraps up suddenly - I was convinced Soundie was going to show up again, or that we'd see how hard this kind of change is to make.”
“Some of the character arcs are also pretty abrupt, and it's really hard to tell what impact your choices - if any - have on the characters or the story without a second playthrough, especially when all the relationships are left positive but pretty open-ended by the end of my first go around.”
“The story can feel a bit rushed at times, but cooking under the pressure of a judgmental family and reconciling with exes through exaggerated battles makes Thirsty Suitors very worthwhile.”
- gameplay110 mentions
- 37 % positive mentions
- 55 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The gameplay in "Thirsty Suitors" is a vibrant mix of varied mechanics, combining turn-based combat, quick-time events, and skateboarding elements, which some players find engaging and fun. However, many reviews note that while the gameplay serves the narrative well, it lacks depth and can become repetitive, with certain mechanics feeling unpolished or simplistic. Overall, the game is praised for its charming atmosphere and storytelling, but players should temper their expectations regarding the complexity of its gameplay systems.
“A truly wild, unique gameplay experience, with very varied mechanics.”
“I deeply enjoyed the mechanic of resolving differences through turn-based combat, with beautiful animation and creative storytelling.”
“The way lots of different mechanics and genres are mixed together is beautiful, both because it works from the mere point of view of the entertainment it offers, but also because their style and functions interlace so well with the overall experience of the game.”
“There is, admittedly, plenty of shakiness throughout both the narrative and the gameplay - the minigames are barebones, the stat building felt like it didn't affect anything, you settle into a rhythm with the combat right away and don't really need to deviate from it, and even though the game does take place over the span of a couple of days, the pacing felt very herky-jerky, advancing rapidly in some chapters and dragging along in others.”
“I initially gave this game a positive review, but it pains me to say, the gameplay is not good.”
“Which pains me because I can neither recommend this game to my friends who like RPGs because the combat isn't good nor friends who like stories because the game mechanics would get in their way.”
- humor61 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised for its sharp wit, relatable dialogue, and laugh-out-loud moments, making it a standout feature that enhances the overall experience. Players appreciate the blend of humor with emotional depth, as well as the engaging character interactions and entertaining gameplay elements. The voice acting and character designs further elevate the comedic aspects, creating a vibrant and enjoyable narrative that resonates with players.
“Just finished the game, tons of laugh-out-loud moments and hilarious boss fights.”
“I absolutely loved the game, a cooking, skating, and RPG game that all comes together in a funny over-the-top story/character-focused narrative!”
“Incredible writing; sharp, funny, and a level of heartfelt sincerity that completely catches you off guard.”
- emotional56 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its witty and heartfelt dialogue, relatable characters, and a narrative that explores themes of family, identity, and reconciliation. Players report experiencing a wide range of emotions, from laughter to tears, as they engage with the story and its characters, particularly through touching interactions and the protagonist's journey towards emotional maturity. Overall, the game is praised for its ability to evoke deep feelings while maintaining a fun and stylish presentation.
“This was a magnificent, emotionally compelling story.”
“A beautiful, chaotic, aesthetic, comical, intense, heartbreaking and heartwarming ride along a complex story of mutual understanding and reconciliations, hurt and care.”
“Many of the topics treated I could directly relate to because of who I am or who I have around me, while others were far away from my experience, but the way the story was narrated made me feel everything so deeply, and made me care for every character, listening to their turmoils and hoping for their resolution.”
- music56 mentions
- 64 % positive mentions
- 30 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its vibrant and engaging soundtrack that blends hip-hop with South Asian influences, creating an immersive atmosphere. Players noted that the music enhances the overall experience, complementing the game's art style and character design, while some highlighted specific tracks that stand out during gameplay. However, a few critiques mentioned that not all players enjoyed the music equally, indicating a mixed reception for certain aspects.
“The music is nice, the roleplay is really fun and enables you to dive into Indian culture and discover many desi characters that are fun and unique.”
“It has incredible writing, a flawless soundtrack, the visuals are gorgeous, and the voice actors do some incredible work in conveying the wide and complicated spectrum of emotions this game portrays.”
“Short and to the point is this game's biggest strength, followed by its visual representation and voice acting, didn't like the music though.”
“The soundtrack also creates a unique vibe, combining hip-hop tunes with South Asian music influences to create some intense battle themes and catchy skateboarding tunes.”
“Also the music is not very appealing.”
- graphics44 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 43 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their vibrant and unique art style, which enhances the overall aesthetic experience. Reviewers highlight the beautiful visuals, colorful animations, and engaging character designs, often noting that the art complements the game's humor and emotional depth. The combination of striking visuals and a compelling soundtrack creates a memorable and stylish presentation that resonates with players.
“The game offers some nice graphics and a really beautiful aesthetic; it is pleasant all the same.”
“It has incredible writing, a flawless soundtrack, the visuals are gorgeous, and the voice actors do some incredible work in conveying the wide and complicated spectrum of emotions this game portrays.”
“The art style in this is incredible—everything was so beautiful and vibrant, and the music was so good.”
“Art style: probably one of the first things you see about this game, and for good reason: the art is vibrant, the color palette and animations are flashy.”
“I love the visual aesthetic in this game, very stylish.”
“Aesthetic: I love the graphics and art style.”
- character development11 mentions
- 64 % positive mentions
- 36 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is praised for its depth and humor, featuring lovable and intriguing characters that evolve meaningfully throughout the story. Players appreciate the brilliant voice acting and dialogue, which enhance the experience and contribute to a diverse cast that keeps the narrative engaging. Overall, the character designs are noted for their creativity and charm, adding to the game's enjoyable atmosphere.
“Character designs were clearly lovingly imagined.”
“Lovely atmosphere, great story, great character designs, fun combat, and a cooking mechanic!”
“[An entertaining story with great humor that also involves navigating common issues in life, lovable and intriguing characters, brilliant voice acting and dialogue that is capable of making players laugh out loud, some nice character development along the way that makes each milestone feel worth the time, brilliant character diversity, with each individual being just as interesting as the last, awesome soundtrack that combines hip-hop influences with traditional South Asian music.]”
- grinding6 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be quite tedious and frustrating, with some even expressing physical frustration, such as nearly damaging their controllers. Achievements like winning 50 battles are highlighted as particularly grindy, and issues with character navigation can further complicate the experience. Despite these challenges, many still feel that the effort is ultimately worthwhile.
“The most tedious achievement was winning 50 battles.”
“Jala snaps to locations even though you want to talk to the NPC in front of you, but oh well, I guess you are rail grinding now.”
“It's really grindy and almost cost me my controller, but it's worth a try.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is consistently praised for its charm, complemented by a compelling story and appealing character designs. Players appreciate the immersive environment that enhances the overall experience, alongside engaging combat and a unique cooking mechanic.
“Lovely atmosphere, great story, great character designs, fun combat, and a cooking mechanic!”
Critic Reviews
Thirsty Suitors (PC) Review
Overall, Thirsty Suitors is a fun experience. If you can overlook the rough skateboarding sections and repetitive encounters, there is a good coming-of-age story and some fantastic music and mini-games.
75%Thirsty Suitors Review
Thirsty Suitors is a great example of what happens when a developer's ambition outstrips the ability to fully realise that vision, for whatever reason. The story and visual style here are top-notch, but the actual mechanics lack the depth needed to make this one of the best indie games on Switch. Despite its flaws, the heart and humour of these characters still make it one of the most fun narratives of the year.
70%Thirsty Suitors Review – Jala’s Ex-Hausting Adventure
Thirsty Suitors may seem like a bizarre, quirky, chaotic mess, but that's exactly what makes it so special. Never have I experienced a game that can so continuously catch me off-guard and make me laugh out loud with ridiculous one-liners and character interactions. The story is simple, hilarious, and easy to follow along, making it an enjoyable tale to explore. The soundtrack also creates a unique vibe, combining Hip-Hop tunes with South-Asian music influences to create some intense battle themes and catchy skateboarding tunes.
80%