Introduction

Ever wanted to be a teenage space colonist? Well, you're in luck! I Was a Teenage Exocolonist allows you to live out your intergalactic dreams while managing social dynamics, growing up, and possibly saving an entire colony from demise over the course of a decade. It's a unique blend of a visual novel and RPG that emphasizes choices, memories, and the agonizing moments of youth, but with aliens and space politics thrown in to spice things up.

Gameplay

Gameplay in Exocolonist is a delightful combination of character development, decision-making and a bit of card strategy for good measure. You kick things off by customizing your character, picking traits, names, and even a childhood friend, potentially setting up a dramatic (or romantic) tension right from the get-go. The timeline runs from ages 10 to 20, so expect plenty of awkward teenage moments that even the greatest sci-fi films couldn't recreate... or would they? Players enjoy a seasonal system where each "year" is segmented into five seasons-think less 'four seasons pizza' and more 'seasons of existential crises'. Each season consists of a week where you must choose activities, learning about things like engineering or military tactics (because what teenage boy or girl doesn't want to learn about warfare?). To spice up the gameplay, there's a card mini-game that decides how good you'll become at these activities based on the cards you collect, which are essentially "memories" (no pressure!). Throughout the ten-year-long game, the choices you make influence relationships, leading to friendship or romance (or a good ol' bout of teenage angst). One particularly edgy aspect of the game is that your choices can lead to character deaths. So, no pressure, but the fate of your friends lies in your hands! Plus, with 29 different endings, there's enough replay value to make you want to go through those heart-wrenching choices again with whatever knowledge you've gained (because everyone loves a plot twist or two).

Graphics

Graphically speaking, Exocolonist flaunts a unique blend of 3D and 2D styles. It's as if the developers decided to play around with both and received unexpectedly delightful results. The art style manages to evoke a sense of whimsy while also embedding hints of complex emotions, perfectly matching the narrative's bone-deep themes of growing up. In short, your eyes will be happy, and so will your heart-even when it's breaking constantly. The environments are well-crafted, merging colorful vistas with intriguing alien designs that still somehow remind you of that one awkward phase in high school. Optimizations seem well-handled on the Switch as you navigate through this rich universe, though don't be surprised if a few hiccups occur amid all the polished visuals. Despite that, the aesthetic charm keeps you enchanted as you flip through your character's diary of memories.

Conclusion

I Was a Teenage Exocolonist is a heartfelt journey through growth, choices, and memories, peppered with intergalactic stakes far beyond the scope of normal teenage drama. The card mechanics add an enjoyable layer of strategy to the gameplay while keeping the focus on the emotional journeys of the characters. It's not just another indie darling; it's a full-on exploration of youth in the stars. While it might not appeal to everyone-especially those who'd rather slay dragons than ponder their existence-if you're into thoughtful narratives packed with choices and emotions, then you're in for one wild cosmic ride. Grab your Nintendo Switch, strap in, and let's see if you can get through ten years without either dying or breaking someone's heart!

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