I don’t know about you, but when I think of my teenage years, I reminisce about insecurities, awkward crushes, and at least one disastrous haircut. Now throw in running a colony on an alien planet while dealing with bureaucracy, childhood friendships, and the occasional existential crisis, and you’ve got your hands on ‘I Was a Teenage Exocolonist’. This role-playing game ventures into deep space and even deeper feels, proving that maybe growing up on Earth just wasn’t enough.
The gameplay kicks off with players customizing their character: choose your name, gender, traits, and even pick a childhood buddy to suffer through space struggles with you. From ages ten to twenty, every week presents a choice, akin to a cosmic game of the Hunger Games, where you're either picking military training or a knitting club on an alien planet. What could go wrong, right? Activities are tied to a nifty card mini-game that packs your bag with stat increases and a slew of memories. Without getting too heavy with math (because who needs school?), you’ll manage to balance several activities throughout the seasons of Quiet, Pollen, Dry, Wet, and the creatively named Glow. The card system determines which skills you level up and opens doors for future interactions; it's like caffeine for your colonist, ensuring that they don’t just remain a space potato. Each character interaction and decision influences your ‘loyalty versus rebellion’ score, a whimsical gauge on whether you’re the hero or villain of your own teenage saga. Better make sure to maintain friendships; you might need them while enduring the alien life—or maybe for a post-colonial group therapy session. In total, there are 29 endings, so whether you aspire to be a beloved leader or a rebellious anti-hero, there’s plenty of room for experimentation (read: messing things up).
Visually, 'I Was a Teenage Exocolonist' marries 3D spaces with 2D art that’s more charming than your average Instagram filter. The art style is reminiscent of a hand-painted dream. Each seasonal change dazzles the eyes with a unique palette that evokes all the emotions, plus the occasional envy towards the character creators who clearly skipped junior high angst while designing teen angst in a fictional colony. The use of vibrant colors splashed across the canvas of an alien landscape makes exploration feel alive. Even better, the game runs beautifully on PS5—smooth as the finest space butter. Loading times are negligible, allowing players to dive into the story without losing their cosmic vibe.
In conclusion, 'I Was a Teenage Exocolonist' successfully blends the intricacies of teenage drama with the weighty stakes of colonial survival on an alien planet. Its charming visuals, engaging gameplay, and relatable themes create an experience that feels refreshingly personal, while also making you question if you've ever truly lived through your own intense coming-of-age story. Yes, your choices matter—so don’t squander them on frivolous things like liking the wrong person; instead, aim for the stars (safely and perhaps with a strategy). If you’re ready for a mix of laughs, tears, and occasional existential dread, then suit up for this emotional space odyssey—you won’t be sorry!