I Was a Teenage Exocolonist

Wonderful game. Borders on interactive story but has enough stats and "interaction" to make it an actual game. Good story, good time so far.

Beautiful game with a great story.

SO INCREDIBLE!!

just finished my first playthrough, loved it. I started out being slightly bored? the first five years were pretty cool, after that it got interesting, I met sym (loved him), tried to pursue anenome romantically (failed) accidentally started dating sym (no regrets), became second security leader (love that), and died a military hero! it was amazing and I'm looking forward to my next go!

Wanted a cool Space Story, got a even better Story, had a coup and began Colonizing 10/10

Wonderful little story of growing up. Living on an exoplanet is hard but you can definitely find notes of triumph, love and community among all the loss and trauma

Beautiful art and characters. Got sucked into the world. Highly recommend!!

If you had a hard time in high school, playing this game is going to feel like getting your heart stomped on 30 times. That said, it's absolutely incredible.

It was an immensely fun but emotional game. I cried many times and legitimately felt grief when characters passed. There were many decisions that made me feel anxious or giddy. Many decisions I made felt like looking into my own life and the decisions I've made. It has me thinking of if my life could be like Solana's. Overall, it is a very thought-provoking game; it can be tedious or repetitive, but it is something I would recommend.

This game is really engaging. The characters are very interesting with their back stories and how their personalities change over time. They other characters stay true to themselves. I wish Female Sol was more feminine. The game requires multiple play throughs and its so heart breaking before you unlock more of the game. So much going on under the scenes and I also enjoy the card mechanic.

I've done three runs on this game and intend to play it again down the road. It kind of reminds me of a Choose Your Own Adventure type book. I love how your decisions impact your overall gameplay. I cared about the characters, and really enjoyed the writing, as well as art. It's sort of cozy, but also has some heavier topics. Really beautiful game, and I've told many people about it. One of my favorite Steam games. I suspect the name of the game turns some people away, but it's really excellent.

This game was not what I was expecting but I have enjoyed every minute of it. I love the concept, the art style, the characters, the story and the game play. I honestly think I got the worst possible ending on my first go and I wanted to do it all over again as soon as the credits rolled. Normally, I would just do the same thing but better and expect marginally improved results as I perfected my routine but the second run was drastically different from my first. Then my third was different again. I love this.

I LOVE this game! I can't even express how much I love it, this game is so addicting and so much fun. Its also extremely sad too. I highly recommend this game, also let me know if there's any games like this!

A sweet game about growing up. Pulls off a perfect mixture of heavy, serious topics and youthful optimism.
I really enjoyed seeing some hard sci-fi adjacent tropes.
And the music, oh the music.

From the art to the soundtrack to the writing and characters, this game is a really, really phenomenal play. Maybe I'm a sucker for funky time stories with real world issues and truths, but if you enjoyed a game like Night in the Woods but wished it was Sci-fi, this game might be for you. I don't usually post reviews but I've been captivated by Exocolonist for about a week, and just finished my first play-through. Despite the fantastical planet and far off tech, the characters and relationships feel grounded in reality. I spent the first several hours, I think, trying to figure out how it's "supposed" to be played, but what I ended up realizing is that it isn't meant to be played one particular way, it's just meant to be played.

So much replayability!!! I'm not usually into deckbuilders, but this game is something special. I'm super glad I picked it up and can't recommend it enough to anyone who likes choices matter, emotional and thought provoking, and highly immersive story driven games, even if deckbuilders aren't usually your thing. Give it a try and you'll see how awesome it is!!! I foresee myself playing this game many more times through!

New hyperfixation unlocked. I am so hooked on this. No spoilers, but this game has mechanics that make replaying it really enjoyable beyond just the "I need to try all the paths" motivation

Best game ever, with the hardest-hitting music and great complementary sfx. I still frequently think about the world and lore of this game from time to time, months after my initial playthroughs. I wish i could go back in time and play this for the first time again.

I would not recommend this if you're hoping for some compelling romance storylines. I wanted to get a better ending but after finishing the second playthrough I didn't feel like going through the tedious motions of completing another one, just to potentially be disappointed by another romance failing. It's realistic for sure! But since the game ends at you turning 20, it feels like a lot isn't addressed or just falls flat at the end.

That being said, it's not a bad game if you're more into puzzles, strategy, and are okay with some of the more grind-y aspects of it. It has good art and calm music too.

Riveting story that I'll be thinking about for a while. Card mechanic is a bit gimmicky, but overall a fun game to sink some time into.

Listen, I'm an adult right? Taxes, career, more taxes, all that unfortunate jazz. My taste in video games and hobbies is similarly "mature". Now you might think that this would preclude me from enjoying a fantastical text-based RPG life sim about a teenager growing up as a colonist on a foreign planet and normally, you'd be right. But here I am, saying "fuck yes!!" when my corny nerd exocolonist wins the science fair, desperately reloading saves to make sure I didn't fumble an event, grinning like an idiot when a romance develops, marvelling at the NPC interactions and sheer amount of branching pathways, and immediately starting up my second play through to see what trials and tribulations my teenage exocolonist will get into next.

So, if you're on the fence, here's my recommendation: 10/10 would binge ~10hrs of this game again.

One of the best slice of life, coming of age stories I have ever played. Ran through it more than eight times.

This game is just sooooo good. The lore, the characters, the world-building, the romance - it all blows me away. I have been glued to my computer since the day I downloaded it, and I'm working towards 100%. Unfortunately, it has become part of my personality now. Oops. Especially Sym. I love Sym. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys any of the tagged genres! Maybe wait to download it until u have time to spare because it sucks you right in. And it's meant to be played several times through, so you'll be playing for a while!

Incredible story, gorgeous art, lovely music. 10/10

Incredible world-building and storytelling, coupled with a relatively simple but pretty fun deck-building mechanism.

A Unique, Emotional, and Deeply Thought-Provoking Experience

I Was a Teenage Exocolonist is a truly special game that combines stunning storytelling, meaningful choices, and a unique gameplay loop to deliver one of the most memorable gaming experiences I’ve had in years. If you enjoy narrative-driven games that challenge your emotions and your thinking, this is an absolute must-play.

Set in a beautifully imagined sci-fi world, the game follows your life as a teenager growing up on an alien planet. From the very start, you feel immersed in this world thanks to its gorgeous art style, evocative music, and intricate world-building. The characters feel alive, with their distinct personalities, dreams, and struggles, making every interaction feel meaningful. You’ll genuinely care about them—and that makes your decisions all the more impactful.

The game’s choice-based mechanics are where it truly shines. Every decision you make—whether in dialogue, events, or how you choose to spend your time—shapes your character’s growth and the ultimate outcome of the story. There are dozens of endings, and the branching paths make every playthrough feel unique. This gives the game incredible replay value as you explore different facets of the narrative and uncover secrets you might have missed the first time around.

What sets I Was a Teenage Exocolonist apart from other narrative games is its innovative card-based gameplay. Each challenge you face, whether emotional or physical, is tied to a card-battling system that represents your character’s skills and memories. This adds a fun layer of strategy while staying thematically tied to the game’s story.

At its core, this is a game about growing up, exploring identity, and navigating the complex web of relationships and responsibilities in a brand-new world. It’s deeply personal and surprisingly emotional. The game doesn’t shy away from tackling heavy topics like loss, environmental destruction, or societal challenges, but it balances these with moments of hope, love, and discovery.

I Was a Teenage Exocolonist is not just a game—it’s an experience. Whether you’re drawn in by its heartfelt story, its creative mechanics, or its gorgeous presentation, you’ll find yourself thinking about it long after the credits roll.

This game is the epitome of re-playable. The moment my first play-through was done I went straight into the second. I was late for work the next day because I was up too late playing this game. The characters are story rich and flawed, they feel like people you know. I found myself very quickly attached not just to the characters but the storyline itself. There are so many different ways to play this game, I can't wait to play them all.
This is a game that truly has found a way to be better the second, and third, time around. I recommend going into your first play-through as blind as possible, the twists and turns are endless.
Oh, and to those nervous about the card game element, I was hesitant to buy the game at first because of the card game element but it's now one of my favorite parts of the game. You do have the ability to skip the card games after the tutorial, as well as make the games more difficult.
This is also a game I could just stare at for hours, the art style of this game is beautiful and unique. I also love that each individual artist is credited on the cards, it's a nice personal touch. All around this game has been a 10/10 for me. If you want a cozy game that still keeps you on your toes, this is it.

This game is a fantastic variant on the Decisions Matters genre. I genuinely enjoyed this game so much not only have I done multiple runs, but I'm actually giving it a review on Steam, because it deserve to be known that it is a great story. If you're considering it, give it a try. It's worth the time and money.

I love that this game isn't the same for everyone. I have events that others might not get, which is exciting (and sometimes very sad). I love the card game you have to play to gain skills, etc. (though I'm still figuring out how it actually functions lol). The re-playability of this game is insane and will be fun to revisit! I was hoping for more complex romance options, but this game is packed with life. So I feel bad pushing my own expectations onto it when it has blown every other expectation I had out of the water. I hope this inspires all games in this genre to try harder and do as well as this one.

Honestly, this is the best VN I've ever played. I love the characters, the choices, and endings. Love the time loop angle, and how you can come back over and over to find new things you missed. Definitely hope to see more from this studio in the future <3

A fun romp through millions of daily life choices set in a teenage person set in a sci-fi space colony. So much of what you do has some effect now, and more later because it goes on your "permanent record." Your qualities and abilities are tested in card games. The deck is persistent but your hand for each challenge is random. It took me over 12 hours to get the first ending and there are dozens more. I would not try for all of them but I might try for a few...

I really enjoyed this game. It's a cute lifesim with surprisingly emotional gameplay, and the deckbuilding elements are very fun.

A very robust life sim/visual novel that integrates Persona social link-esque relationships with an okay card game. There's a neat plot going on here with a mystery that won't solve itself. You could do an entire playthrough and learn nothing. Also, and this is really important, why's the Horton Hears a Who emo kid here?

Literally the best 11 hours of gaming i've had in awhile. Very good game! I can't wait to get all the endings

This game puts the Role-Play into RPG.
NOT saving scumming and just letting the tragedy that became my first play through was one of the most rewarding experiences I have ever had. This game is a must own in my opinion.

My only warning is if you are playing this game for romance first, you may find the game disappointing.
Very Minor Spoilers below, formatted just in case
For example, one character is clearly aromantic and will not just have a good ending, no matter what you do in-game. I'm sure some would find that interesting - I did, but why make them one of the 10 romance options that you market your games on? Truly, I would say 80% of the dating options have odd narrative choices built around them that just gave me a weird after taste. One always cucks you for the "bad boy" despite prior flirt options and high affection, another must either have their confidence torn to shreds or you must convince another character to step aside to clear a path romance.

A solid game with a good story if you can get past the pronouns and various agendas or already have these as part of your worldview. It has some decent replay-ability and a fun game loop that keeps things fresh through the game. I look forward to playing a sequel if one is made.

This game combined my love of classic choose your own adventure, sci-fi fantasy, rogue-likes, and dating sims-snatching me up immediately. What really impressed me is how it stuck it's claws in even deeper after the end of the first playthrough. It's one of the few games I can think of I've played more than once, and I spent a good chunk of hours in here and can see mysΩelf going back. The characters are compelling, the variety of ways you can go with this is mind-boggling. The representation is impeccable, and it dives into complex themes in a new, unique way. The only problem now is I'm spoiled and I need more!

No hyperbole, this might be one of the greatest narrative games I've ever played.

I was recommended I Was a Teenage Exocolonist because I enjoyed games like Volcano Princess and Growing Up, but this game is so much more. Sure, it's got elements of a child raising sim, but it is a perfectly incorporated part of a greater story. There is an overarching plot, and you will make choices as you play that really change the narrative. What I love is the game will not give you bright, flashing warnings that you've changed something significantly with your choices. The game does a good job of teaching you on your first playthrough, but it never insults your intelligence.

Not only is the game designed for multiple playthroughs, but it leaves you with a sense of wonder. "What if I'd chosen to do X? Or Y? What if I'd befriended this other person?" You end up not chasing just another 'ending' but a whole other experience of living in the colony. The ending came along pretty quick when my character was 19, after finding my way to an uncommon ending... and I already wonder about going back to that save and playing the rest of the year out to see what would've happened if I hadn't made that fateful choice.

There are some roller coaster emotional punches along the way that I wasn't prepared for, and it does a good job of handling sensitive/traumatic/upsetting subjects in an authentic way. It also, graciously, has a section in the menu screen where you can preview or be aware of sensitive subjects that could come up in the game, which is a very thoughtful touch.

This game hits all the right notes, and my only regret is waiting as long as I did to finally get it. I wholly recommend it.

After one playthrough, I can say that this game is close to a masterpiece. The storytelling is gorgeous, as are the music, art, characters, and lore. Back in June I was looking for games to play showcasing LGBTQIA+ characters, and this game was so nice and refreshing with its perspectives and relationships; platonic and romantic.

If you're looking for a game that you can immerse yourself in with cozy and dramatic elements, this is for you!

I've been eyeing this game for some time and finally nabbed it on sale. I just finished my first play through just shy of 12 hours, and I have mixed feelings about it. The game is a hybrid of a choose-your-own-adventure book, with the game play being a card game and some level of skill point management.

My first impressions upon finishing my first play-through:

The game is well written, which is important since this is basically a choose-your-own adventure book with some gameplay. It has a very leftist message that riffs on tropes like making good with nature, challenging capitalism, and an antagonist that clearly is a spoof on Donald Trump. As a leftist myself, I don't mind this messaging but it's far from subtle.

The game dares to get a bit brutal at times, and those moments are well written and engaging, like a good DM or GM telling you what's going on and immersing you into the story. However, as the story nears to an end it feels rushed (likely to inspire another play through which the game's premise is based on.) Oftentimes, I had no idea what levers I needed to pull to get to where I wanted to be or trigger an event that moves the plot forward. At one point, your character is asked what position they'd like to apply for and there's no explanation of what any of those are or what skill they're tied to.

I was initially excited about romance options but they just didn't trigger for me like I thought they should or would.

Am I going to play this game again because I feel like it beat me? Probably. Do I feel like my first playthrough or ending was very satisfying? Not really. I bought this game on sale, and I'm going to recommend it because I wouldn't NOT recommend it. I very much like experiential video games. I'm not sure I'll finish a second playthrough but we'll see!

if being 'woke' means I get to enjoy masterpieces such as this game then I will be woke forever muahahahahahahah

Really nice story and characters!!! The gameplay is pretty fun and learning about / romancing the different characters is a enjoyable. There's something for everyone, and a lot of replay value!

Beautiful and addicting. I'll likely play this again making different choices because the story is THAT compelling. Loved it, wish there were more games like it. Definitely recommend!

---{ Graphics }---
☐ You forget what reality is
☑ Beautiful
☐ Good
☐ Decent
☐ Bad
☐ Don‘t look too long at it
☐ MS-DOS

---{ Gameplay }---
☐ Very good
☑ Good
☐ It's just gameplay
☐ Mehh
☐ Watch paint dry instead
☐ Just don't

---{ Audio }---
☑ Eargasm
☐ Very good
☐ Good
☐ Not too bad
☐ Bad
☐ I'm now deaf

---{ Audience }---
☐ Kids
☑ Teens
☑ Adults
☐ Grandma

---{ PC Requirements }---
☐ Check if you can run paint
☐ Potato
☑ Decent
☐ Fast
☐ Rich boi
☐ Ask NASA if they have a spare computer

---{ Game Size }---
☐ Floppy Disk
☐ Old Fashioned
☑ Workable
☐ Big
☐ Will eat 10% of your 1TB hard drive
☐ You will want an entire hard drive to hold it
☐ You will need to invest in a black hole to hold all the data

---{ Difficulty }---
☐ Just press 'W'
☐ Easy
☑ Easy to learn / Hard to master
☐ Significant brain usage
☐ Difficult
☐ Dark Souls

---{ Grind }---
☐ Nothing to grind
☐ Only if u care about leaderboards/ranks
☐ Isn't necessary to progress
☑ Average grind level
☐ Too much grind
☐ You'll need a second life for grinding

---{ Story }---
☐ No Story
☐ Some lore
☐ Average
☐ Good
☐ Lovely
☑ It'll replace your life

---{ Game Time }---
☐ Long enough for a cup of coffee
☐ Short
☐ Average
☐ Long
☑ To infinity and beyond

---{ Price }---
☐ It's free!
☑ Worth the price
☐ If it's on sale
☐ If u have some spare money left
☐ Not recommended
☐ You could also just burn your money

---{ Bugs }---
☐ Never heard of
☐ Minor bugs
☐ Can get annoying
☐ ARK: Survival Evolved
☐ The game itself is a big terrarium for bugs

---{ ? / 10 }---
☐ 1
☐ 2
☐ 3
☐ 4
☐ 5
☐ 6
☐ 7
☐ 8
☐ 9
☑ 10

---{ Author }---
☑ https://vojtastruhar.github.io/steam-review-template

One of the rare examples of a game that simply does everything right for its genre and leaves you wondering why the rest can't do the same.

If you're on the fence, even a little bit, just go for it. This game has everything: beautiful art, a touching, choices-matter story, excellent music, basically infinite replayability, like seriously, if you think you might like it you're already 80% of the way there. You'll love it. Play it. Thank me later.

The story and characters are so gripping I (as you can tell from my hours played) have played through once or twice lol. The interesting game mechanics really lends itself to replayability and roleplaying various story lines. Not to mention the cute art style, chill music, and fun mini game! it's easily one of my favorite games and i'll hype it up whenever given the chance. ♡

I pulled an all nighter playing this game, and by the morning I was full on crying from joy and pain from what the writing did to me

Cathartic AF, like, reparenting oneself type vibes playing it

Fantastic game. For a visual novel kind of game you expect writing to be its strong suit, but this game goes over and beyond with wonderful written dialogues, descriptions and scenes. Very thoughtful-written characters and wonderful yet pretty harsh story. Definitely a must play for whoever loves narrative driven games.

This is a truly excellent game.

I found all the characters to be interesting and the stat leveling aspect to be very fun through multiple playthroughs. It is interesting to see how your choices impact the story each time. This is a game where you'll have to play the story multiple times to really get the most out of it. But don't worry, it remains fun and engaging each time. Having knowledge of the story line from your previous playthroughs will come in handy for your next run.

Over-all and excellent value for the money as it has many hours of gameplay to explore all the possible endings. Definitely a must buy for people like me who love an interesting scenario with endings that make it feel like your choices matter.

Honestly.. I was a bit disappointed by this game because I saw so many people saying how groundbreaking it is. I had very high expectations. The story didn't grip me, therefore, I found myself unable to read all of the text. Even though this game clearly wasn't for me, I still recommend it. I got attached to some of the characters, the art is gorgeous, the deck gameplay is fun. Being able to skip text you've already seen is much appreciated. I played it twice and that was enough for me.

I enjoy the art style, the music and the fact that you can actually choose which way the game will go! I've only played through one ending so far, I'm onto my second life now. I'm having fun with it! The game also knows when you start your second life, so they don't give you exactly the same beginning which I also appreciate. It's fun seeing what went wrong the first and trying to fix it. As someone who gets obsessed with a game, and want to replay it again, and again. Sometimes even after having just played it, this game is a great fit! The game is made to be played again and again. So, it's different when you play it a second time! There are a lot of content warnings, but for the most part they haven't really been a problem the way I've been playing at least. Not a game for people who can't handle some occasional cursing or descriptions of violent death though. The descriptions don't go into great detail, but if you're bothered by stuff like that I wouldn't recommend it.

An unforgettable journey!

The game puts storytelling first and mechanics second, but the gamplay is still fun enough to keep you engaged through at least one playthrough.