Thirsty Suitors

Thirsty Suitors is the latest release from indie developer Outerloop Games, known for their unique takes on coming-of-age stories. Set in the fictional town of Timber Hills, the game follows Jala as she returns home for her sister’s wedding and must confront her complicated past relationships and family dynamics while trying to figure out who she wants to be.

With a vibrant art style and snappy writing, Thirsty Suitors pulls you into its world. The characters feel fully realized, from Jala's overly critical mother and distant father to her ex-boyfriends turned arch-nemeses. Each character has their own motivations and backstory that make them feel human.

Story & Characters

The coming-of-age narrative finds depth in common family issues and romantic challenges, grounding itself in relatable emotions. The writing brings the diverse cast of characters to life through humor and heart without feeling corny. At around 15 hours long, the story never overstays its welcome and builds to an emotional conclusion that wraps up the game’s themes nicely.

Jala’s parents are highlights, with her critical mother and distant father feeling fully fleshed out. The various ex-boyfriends you battle have nuanced backstories and motivations. The care taken with crafting an authentic South Asian American experience comes through clearly in the characters and setting. Side characters also feel fully realized from Jala's party animal best friend to her traditional grandmother.

Gameplay & Combat

Gameplay wise, Thirsty Suitors mixes turn-based RPG combat with relationship building segments. The turn-based battles with Jala’s exes are challenging and strategic, requiring paying attention to character personalities and utilizing a robust mood and upgrade system. Players can expect tense boss battles that test their combat abilities.

Outside of combat, you can explore the lively town of Timber Hills, go skateboarding, and most notably, learn new recipes to cook. The cooking challenges are a particular highlight, presenting thoughtful cultural details through each dish like saag paneer and biryani. While more gameplay variety is always welcome, the combat remains engaging throughout.

Art Style & Music

Thirsty Suitors features vibrant, expressive art and animation that pulls you into its world. The visuals convey the personalities of the characters well through fluid animation and stylistic flourishes. The anime-inspired style allows for emotive facial expressions and over-the-top visual gags. The music by Indian-Canadian artists rounds out the culturally authentic atmosphere.

Review: 8.5/10

With fun gameplay, empathetic writing, and thoughtful cultural details, Thirsty Suitors expertly crafts a coming-of-age narrative and earns a solid 8.5 out of 10. It finds complexity in everyday life through relatable stories and characters.

Pros:

• Engaging coming-of-age story
• Strategic and fast-paced combat
• Vibrant, expressive art style
• Thoughtful writing that finds depth in common experiences
• Great representation of South Asian American culture

Cons:

• Can feel repetitive between combat sections
• Lacks gameplay variety outside of combat
• Some minor pacing issues